SALINA —Grammy Award-winning rockstar Melissa Etheridge is bringing her North American tour to Salina in June.

The Kansas native is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. June 29 in downtown Salina's Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.

Tickets start at $59 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. Buy online at:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stiefeltheatre.org/">www.stiefeltheatre.org</a>&nbsp;or by calling the Stiefel at 785-827-1998. The Stiefel box office is open for phone or walk-up sales from noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

About Melissa Etheridge courtesy Stiefel Theatre

Melissa Etheridge stormed onto the American rock scene in 1988 with the release of her critically acclaimed self-titled debut album, which led to an appearance on the 1989 Grammy Awards show. For several years, her popularity grew around such memorable originals as&nbsp;Bring Me Some Water,&nbsp;No Souvenirs,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Ain't It Heavy, for which she won a Grammy® in 1992.

Etheridge hit her commercial and artistic stride with her fourth album,&nbsp;Yes I Am&nbsp;(1993). The collection featured the massive hits,&nbsp;I'm the Only One&nbsp;and&nbsp;Come to My Window, a searing song of longing that brought Etheridge her second Grammy® Award for Best Female Rock Performance. In 1995, Etheridge issued her highest-charting album,&nbsp;Your Little Secret, which was distinguished by the hit single,&nbsp;I Want to Come Over. Her astounding success that year led to Etheridge receiving the Songwriter of the Year honor at the ASCAP Pop Awards in 1996.

Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America’s favorite female singer-songwriters for more than two decades. Since her notable rise to fame, Etheridge has continued to release several critically acclaimed recordings including,&nbsp;This Is M.E.,&nbsp;Memphis Rock &amp; Soul, and&nbsp;The Medicine Show. On Sept. 17, 2021, Etheridge released her most recent studio project, titled&nbsp;One Way Out. The nine-track album is a collection of songs Etheridge wrote in the late '80s and early '90s that never made the cut...until now! The time is finally right, and fans will finally get a deeper glimpse to who Etheridge was then.

October 2022 saw Etheridge’s return to the theatre with her one-woman show,&nbsp;My Window – A Journey Through Life. The critically acclaimed, sold-out run premiered at New World Stages on Oct. 13, 2022, and has plans to move to Broadway in 2023.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681155732593.jpeg" alt="Melissa Etheridge is scheduled to perform in Salina's Stiefel Theatre on June 29.&nbsp; Photo courtesy Stiefel Theatre" />
 <figcaption>Melissa Etheridge is scheduled to perform in Salina's Stiefel Theatre on June 29.&nbsp; Photo courtesy Stiefel Theatre</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA —Grammy Award-winning rockstar Melissa Etheridge is bringing her North American tour to Salina in June.The Kansas native is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. June 29 in downtown Salina's Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.Tickets start at $59 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. Buy online at:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stiefeltheatre.org/">www.stiefeltheatre.org</a>&nbsp;or by calling the Stiefel at 785-827-1998. The Stiefel box office is open for phone or walk-up sales from noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.About Melissa Etheridge courtesy Stiefel TheatreMelissa Etheridge stormed onto the American rock scene in 1988 with the release of her critically acclaimed self-titled debut album, which led to an appearance on the 1989 Grammy Awards show. For several years, her popularity grew around such memorable originals as&nbsp;Bring Me Some Water,&nbsp;No Souvenirs,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Ain't It Heavy, for which she won a Grammy® in 1992.Etheridge hit her commercial and artistic stride with her fourth album,&nbsp;Yes I Am&nbsp;(1993). The collection featured the massive hits,&nbsp;I'm the Only One&nbsp;and&nbsp;Come to My Window, a searing song of longing that brought Etheridge her second Grammy® Award for Best Female Rock Performance. In 1995, Etheridge issued her highest-charting album,&nbsp;Your Little Secret, which was distinguished by the hit single,&nbsp;I Want to Come Over. Her astounding success that year led to Etheridge receiving the Songwriter of the Year honor at the ASCAP Pop Awards in 1996.Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America’s favorite female singer-songwriters for more than two decades. Since her notable rise to fame, Etheridge has continued to release several critically acclaimed recordings including,&nbsp;This Is M.E.,&nbsp;Memphis Rock &amp; Soul, and&nbsp;The Medicine Show. On Sept. 17, 2021, Etheridge released her most recent studio project, titled&nbsp;One Way Out. The nine-track album is a collection of songs Etheridge wrote in the late '80s and early '90s that never made the cut...until now! The time is finally right, and fans will finally get a deeper glimpse to who Etheridge was then.October 2022 saw Etheridge’s return to the theatre with her one-woman show,&nbsp;My Window – A Journey Through Life. The critically acclaimed, sold-out run premiered at New World Stages on Oct. 13, 2022, and has plans to move to Broadway in 2023.

Melissa Etheridge to perform in Salina in June

WASHINGTON (AP) — Not even the annual White House Easter Egg Roll is safe from presidential politics.

President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, the host of Monday's festivities on the South Lawn, said he plans to participate in “at least three or four more Easter egg rolls, maybe five.”

Biden was alluding to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-us-republican-party-democratic-b6a4d89a5629e768e92485067a220797">his expected reelection bid</a>&nbsp;but when pressed for news by Al Roker of NBC's “Today” show, the president gave no ground. He repeated what he's been saying for months.

“I'm planning on running, Al, but we're not prepared to announce it yet,” Biden told Roker.

After making an early appearance on the lawn to speak with Roker after the gates opened at 7 a.m., Biden and first lady Jill Biden will also address the crowd from the White House balcony before joining the “egg-citement.” Some 30,000 people, mostly children, were expected, in nine waves of participants, ending at 7 p.m.

“Anything’s possible in America," Biden said in brief remarks welcoming guests to the South Lawn, “if we remember who we are and we do it together.”

The first lady's theme is “EGGucation.” Jill Biden is a teacher and she has incorporated numerous learning opportunities into the event. “Learning doesn't only happen in a classroom, there are so many fun opportunities to learn around us every day,” she said, explaining that's why they turned the South Lawn into a “school community.”

The White House Easter Egg Roll dates to 1878, when President Rutherford B. Hayes opened the White House lawn to children after they were kicked off the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681139726547.png" alt="“I'm planning on running, Al, but we're not prepared to announce it yet,” Biden told&nbsp; Al Roker.-White House image" />
 <figcaption>“I'm planning on running, Al, but we're not prepared to announce it yet,” Biden told&nbsp; Al Roker.-White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Not even the annual White House Easter Egg Roll is safe from presidential politics.President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, the host of Monday's festivities on the South Lawn, said he plans to participate in “at least three or four more Easter egg rolls, maybe five.”Biden was alluding to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-us-republican-party-democratic-b6a4d89a5629e768e92485067a220797">his expected reelection bid</a>&nbsp;but when pressed for news by Al Roker of NBC's “Today” show, the president gave no ground. He repeated what he's been saying for months.“I'm planning on running, Al, but we're not prepared to announce it yet,” Biden told Roker.After making an early appearance on the lawn to speak with Roker after the gates opened at 7 a.m., Biden and first lady Jill Biden will also address the crowd from the White House balcony before joining the “egg-citement.” Some 30,000 people, mostly children, were expected, in nine waves of participants, ending at 7 p.m.“Anything’s possible in America," Biden said in brief remarks welcoming guests to the South Lawn, “if we remember who we are and we do it together.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Folks, the 2023 White House Easter EGGucation Roll is here. <a href="https://t.co/216uciD6te">pic.twitter.com/216uciD6te</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1645489330977161217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The first lady's theme is “EGGucation.” Jill Biden is a teacher and she has incorporated numerous learning opportunities into the event. “Learning doesn't only happen in a classroom, there are so many fun opportunities to learn around us every day,” she said, explaining that's why they turned the South Lawn into a “school community.”The White House Easter Egg Roll dates to 1878, when President Rutherford B. Hayes opened the White House lawn to children after they were kicked off the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.

Biden talks re-election bid during annual Easter egg roll 

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 3:30a.m. Monday in Wyandotte County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a United State Postal Service semi driven by Timothy Wilson,&nbsp; 51, Kansas City was southbound on Interstate 35 at Cambridge Circle in lane the number 2 lane.

The vehicle struck a&nbsp;pedestrian identified as&nbsp;Kirwan, Jacqueline R. Kirwan, 30, Topeka, who was standing in the number 2 lane.

Kirwan was pronounced dead at the scene. Wilson was properly restrained and not injured.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681148916057.png" alt="Monday morning traffic backed up due to the fatal crash investigation- Image KC Scout" />
 <figcaption>Monday morning traffic backed up due to the fatal crash investigation- Image KC Scout</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 3:30a.m. Monday in Wyandotte County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a United State Postal Service semi driven by Timothy Wilson,&nbsp; 51, Kansas City was southbound on Interstate 35 at Cambridge Circle in lane the number 2 lane.The vehicle struck a&nbsp;pedestrian identified as&nbsp;Kirwan, Jacqueline R. Kirwan, 30, Topeka, who was standing in the number 2 lane.Kirwan was pronounced dead at the scene. Wilson was properly restrained and not injured.&nbsp;

Postal Service semi strikes, kills Kansas woman on interstate

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINA —A man got away with an undisclosed amount of cash during an early Sunday morning armed robbery in north Salina.

Just after 12:30a.m. Sunday, a man described as wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, dark pants, black shoes and a facemask entered the Flying J Travel Center, 2250 N. Ohio Street, according Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

The man approached two clerks - a 53-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man - who were in the soda machine area. The masked man displayed a handgun and demanded the money from the register.

After receiving an undisclosed amount of cash, the man left on foot toward N. Ohio Street. Forrester said one of the clerks reported seeing a black car pull out of one of the fuel lanes and drive across the street to where the robber had gone.

Forrester said police are checking on surveillance video from the area.

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINA —A man got away with an undisclosed amount of cash during an early Sunday morning armed robbery in north Salina.Just after 12:30a.m. Sunday, a man described as wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, dark pants, black shoes and a facemask entered the Flying J Travel Center, 2250 N. Ohio Street, according Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.The man approached two clerks - a 53-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man - who were in the soda machine area. The masked man displayed a handgun and demanded the money from the register.After receiving an undisclosed amount of cash, the man left on foot toward N. Ohio Street. Forrester said one of the clerks reported seeing a black car pull out of one of the fuel lanes and drive across the street to where the robber had gone.Forrester said police are checking on surveillance video from the area.

Police: Armed robbery at Salina travel center Easter Sunday

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) — The bodies of a jam band musician and his adult son were recovered from an Arkansas lake more than three weeks after the two went missing during a kayaking trip, authorities said.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday that the bodies were identified as those of Chuck Morris, 47, and his 20-year-old son, Charley Morris. Chuck Morris was a percussionist who for more than two decades had been a member of the instrumental jam band Lotus.

The father and son from Kansas City, Missouri, were last seen on March 16 while on a kayaking trip to Beaver Lake,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/apr/10/bodies-of-father-and-son-recovered-from-beaver/">The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported</a>. A search crew found their bodies over the weekend while searching the lake with an underwater drone, the sheriff's office said in a news release.

Lotus posted a statement from the Morris family on its Facebook page saying relatives had spoken with Arkansas authorities and were told the men drowned.

A Facebook statement from the band said proceeds from upcoming concerts in Denver; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Port Chester, New York, will go to benefit the Morris family.

“Thank you all for the outpouring of support from around the world — we feel it and love you just as much,” the band posted.

BENTON COUNTY —On March 16, law enforcement authorities began search efforts for two missing kayakers in the area of S. Lost Bridge Village of Beaver Lake, according to the Benton County, Arkansas sheriff.

Major Kenneth Paul led the search efforts utilizing many resources from across the nation and organized the daily operations of these efforts. On Sunday, efforts were combined with Carroll County MDS and Christian Aid Ministries Search and Rescue Team (CAM SAR) out of Tennessee. They were able to utilize their Underwater ROV in a challenging environment that exceeded depths of 180 feet.

After 24 days of recovery efforts, the bodies of both Charles Morris IV and his son Charles Morris V have been recovered thanks to the technology and efforts by all personnel.   

Sheriff Holloway, along with the family of Chuck and Charley, would like to thank all the men and women who donated their time and efforts to help bring closure to the family and recover the two missing men.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office SAR unit, Marine division, Aviation unit, Dive team, and K9 division along with Arkansas Game and Fish SAR and Dive team, Tennessee CAM SAR (Christian Aid Ministries), Arkansas MDS (Mennonite Disaster Services), Tri-County SAR, Grassy Knob Fire, Inspiration Fire, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and K9 units out of Illinois (John Blevins), Oklahoma (Quapaw Nation K9) Louisiana (Cajun Coast).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681131420524.png" alt="Charles Morris IV (Chuck-Father) and Charles Morris V (Charley-son)Courtesy Benton Co." />
 <figcaption>Charles Morris IV (Chuck-Father) and Charles Morris V (Charley-son)Courtesy Benton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) — The bodies of a jam band musician and his adult son were recovered from an Arkansas lake more than three weeks after the two went missing during a kayaking trip, authorities said.The Benton County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday that the bodies were identified as those of Chuck Morris, 47, and his 20-year-old son, Charley Morris. Chuck Morris was a percussionist who for more than two decades had been a member of the instrumental jam band Lotus.The father and son from Kansas City, Missouri, were last seen on March 16 while on a kayaking trip to Beaver Lake,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/apr/10/bodies-of-father-and-son-recovered-from-beaver/">The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported</a>. A search crew found their bodies over the weekend while searching the lake with an underwater drone, the sheriff's office said in a news release.Lotus posted a statement from the Morris family on its Facebook page saying relatives had spoken with Arkansas authorities and were told the men drowned.A Facebook statement from the band said proceeds from upcoming concerts in Denver; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Port Chester, New York, will go to benefit the Morris family.“Thank you all for the outpouring of support from around the world — we feel it and love you just as much,” the band posted.-------------BENTON COUNTY —On March 16, law enforcement authorities began search efforts for two missing kayakers in the area of S. Lost Bridge Village of Beaver Lake, according to the Benton County, Arkansas sheriff.Major Kenneth Paul led the search efforts utilizing many resources from across the nation and organized the daily operations of these efforts. On Sunday, efforts were combined with Carroll County MDS and Christian Aid Ministries Search and Rescue Team (CAM SAR) out of Tennessee. They were able to utilize their Underwater ROV in a challenging environment that exceeded depths of 180 feet.After 24 days of recovery efforts, the bodies of both Charles Morris IV and his son Charles Morris V have been recovered thanks to the technology and efforts by all personnel. Sheriff Holloway, along with the family of Chuck and Charley, would like to thank all the men and women who donated their time and efforts to help bring closure to the family and recover the two missing men.The Benton County Sheriff’s Office SAR unit, Marine division, Aviation unit, Dive team, and K9 division along with Arkansas Game and Fish SAR and Dive team, Tennessee CAM SAR (Christian Aid Ministries), Arkansas MDS (Mennonite Disaster Services), Tri-County SAR, Grassy Knob Fire, Inspiration Fire, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and K9 units out of Illinois (John Blevins), Oklahoma (Quapaw Nation K9) Louisiana (Cajun Coast).

Bodies of father, son kayakers from Missouri recovered from lake

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A shooting at a bank in downtown Louisville killed at least four people and wounded at least eight others Monday, police said. The suspected shooter was also dead.

The shooting, the 15th mass killing in the country this year, comes just two weeks after a former student killed three children and three adults at a Christian elementary school in Nashville, about 160 mile (260 kilometers) to the south.

Police arrived as gunshots were still being fired inside the Old National Bank and exchanged fire with the shooter, Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey said at a news conference. It wasn't clear whether the shooter killed himself or was shot by officers.

“We believe this is a lone gunman involved in this that did have a connection to the bank. We’re trying to establish what that connection was to the business, but it appears he was a previous employee,” Humphrey said.

Humphrey said that at least eight people were being treated at a hospital for wounds, including two police officers, one of whom was in critical condition.

An emotional Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he lost friends in the shooting in the building on East Main Street not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.

“This is awful,” he said. “I have a very close friend who didn’t make it today. And I have another close friend who didn’t, either. And one who’s at the hospital that I hope is going to make it through.”

It was the second time that Beshear was personally touched by a mass tragedy since becoming governor.

In late 2021, one of the towns devastated by tornadoes that tore through Kentucky was Dawson Springs, the hometown of Beshear’s father, former two-term Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear. Andy Beshear frequently visited Dawson Springs as a boy and has talked emotionally about his father’s hometown.

Humphrey, the deputy chief, said the actions of responding police officers in Louisville on Monday morning had undoubtedly saved lives.

“This is a tragic event,” he said. “But it was it was the heroic response of officers that made sure that no more people were more seriously injured than what happened.”

This year's 15 mass shootings is the most during the first 100 days of a calendar year since 2009, when 16 incidents had occurred by April 10, according to a mass killings database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.

Going back to 2006, the first year for which data has been compiled, the years with the most mass killings were 2019 and 2022, with 45 and 42 mass killings recorded during the entire calendar year. The pace in 2009 slowed later in the year, with 32 mass killings recorded that year.\

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A shooting Monday at a bank in downtown Louisville killed at least four people and wounded at least eight others, police said. The suspected lone shooter was also dead.

Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey told reporters officers who arrived on the scene “encountered active gunshots still being fired inside the location at that time.”

Officers exchanged gunfire with the shooter, who appeared to be a former employee of the bank, but it wasn't clear how he died.

“We do not know exactly the circumstances of his death at this time,” Humphrey said.

Humphrey said at least eight people were being treated for wounds, including two police officers. One officer and another of the wounded were in critical condition.

Police later said on a twitter that officers we’re on the scene of the shooting within minutes. Calls first came in for the shooting at the Old National Bank about 8:30 a.m.

In a tweet, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he was heading to the scene.

“Please pray for all of the families impacted and for the city of Louisville,” Beshear said.

The FBI said its agents were also responding to the shooting.

The shooting happened in a building on East Main Street not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A shooting Monday at a bank building in downtown Louisville killed five people and wounded at least six others, police said. The suspected shooter was also dead, police said.

“The shooter was confirmed to be dead on the scene,” Humphrey said. “We do not know exactly the circumstances of his death at this time.”

Humphrey said at least six wounded people, including one police officer, were taken to a hospital but he had no details on their conditions.

Witnesses who left the building told Louisville station WHAS-TV they heard gunfire inside the building and television footage showed numerous police vehicles in the area.

The shooting happened in a building on East Main Street that houses the Old National Bank not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Police are reporting “multiple casualties” as they respond to a shooting in a bank building in downtown Louisville.

The Louisville Metro Police Department said Monday on Twitter there was an ongoing situation and asked people to avoid the area. "There are multiple casualties," police said in the tweet. Police described it as an “active aggressor.”

Witnesses who left the building told WHAS-TV they heard gunfire inside the building.

Numerous police vehicles were seen on television footage. WHAS reporters said they saw people being taken from the scene in ambulances.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681145559978.png" alt="Police said that at least eight people were being treated at a hospital for wounds, including two police officers, one of whom was in critical condition.-photo courtesy WLKY TV" />
 <figcaption>Police said that at least eight people were being treated at a hospital for wounds, including two police officers, one of whom was in critical condition.-photo courtesy WLKY TV</figcaption>
 </figure>LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A shooting at a bank in downtown Louisville killed at least four people and wounded at least eight others Monday, police said. The suspected shooter was also dead.The shooting, the 15th mass killing in the country this year, comes just two weeks after a former student killed three children and three adults at a Christian elementary school in Nashville, about 160 mile (260 kilometers) to the south.Police arrived as gunshots were still being fired inside the Old National Bank and exchanged fire with the shooter, Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey said at a news conference. It wasn't clear whether the shooter killed himself or was shot by officers.“We believe this is a lone gunman involved in this that did have a connection to the bank. We’re trying to establish what that connection was to the business, but it appears he was a previous employee,” Humphrey said.Humphrey said that at least eight people were being treated at a hospital for wounds, including two police officers, one of whom was in critical condition.An emotional Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he lost friends in the shooting in the building on East Main Street not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.“This is awful,” he said. “I have a very close friend who didn’t make it today. And I have another close friend who didn’t, either. And one who’s at the hospital that I hope is going to make it through.”It was the second time that Beshear was personally touched by a mass tragedy since becoming governor.In late 2021, one of the towns devastated by tornadoes that tore through Kentucky was Dawson Springs, the hometown of Beshear’s father, former two-term Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear. Andy Beshear frequently visited Dawson Springs as a boy and has talked emotionally about his father’s hometown.Humphrey, the deputy chief, said the actions of responding police officers in Louisville on Monday morning had undoubtedly saved lives.“This is a tragic event,” he said. “But it was it was the heroic response of officers that made sure that no more people were more seriously injured than what happened.”This year's 15 mass shootings is the most during the first 100 days of a calendar year since 2009, when 16 incidents had occurred by April 10, according to a mass killings database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.Going back to 2006, the first year for which data has been compiled, the years with the most mass killings were 2019 and 2022, with 45 and 42 mass killings recorded during the entire calendar year. The pace in 2009 slowed later in the year, with 32 mass killings recorded that year.\<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681137523415.png" alt="Police on the scene Monday morning in downtown Louisville -photo courtesy WLKY TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene Monday morning in downtown Louisville -photo courtesy WLKY TV</figcaption>
 </figure>------------LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A shooting Monday at a bank in downtown Louisville killed at least four people and wounded at least eight others, police said. The suspected lone shooter was also dead.Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey told reporters officers who arrived on the scene “encountered active gunshots still being fired inside the location at that time.”Officers exchanged gunfire with the shooter, who appeared to be a former employee of the bank, but it wasn't clear how he died.“We do not know exactly the circumstances of his death at this time,” Humphrey said.Humphrey said at least eight people were being treated for wounds, including two police officers. One officer and another of the wounded were in critical condition.Police later said on a twitter that officers we’re on the scene of the shooting within minutes. Calls first came in for the shooting at the Old National Bank about 8:30 a.m.In a tweet, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he was heading to the scene.“Please pray for all of the families impacted and for the city of Louisville,” Beshear said.The FBI said its agents were also responding to the shooting.The shooting happened in a building on East Main Street not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.-----------LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A shooting Monday at a bank building in downtown Louisville killed five people and wounded at least six others, police said. The suspected shooter was also dead, police said.Louisville Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey told reporters officers who arrived on the scene “encountered active gunshots still being fired inside the location at that time.”“The shooter was confirmed to be dead on the scene,” Humphrey said. “We do not know exactly the circumstances of his death at this time.”Humphrey said at least six wounded people, including one police officer, were taken to a hospital but he had no details on their conditions.Witnesses who left the building told Louisville station WHAS-TV they heard gunfire inside the building and television footage showed numerous police vehicles in the area.In a tweet, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he was heading to the scene.“Please pray for all of the families impacted and for the city of Louisville,” Beshear said.The FBI said its agents were also responding to the shooting.The shooting happened in a building on East Main Street that houses the Old National Bank not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.-----------LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Police are reporting “multiple casualties” as they respond to a shooting in a bank building in downtown Louisville.The Louisville Metro Police Department said Monday on Twitter there was an ongoing situation and asked people to avoid the area. "There are multiple casualties," police said in the tweet. Police described it as an “active aggressor.”Witnesses who left the building told WHAS-TV they heard gunfire inside the building.Numerous police vehicles were seen on television footage. WHAS reporters said they saw people being taken from the scene in ambulances.In a tweet, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he was heading to the scene.“Please pray for all of the families impacted and for the city of Louisville,” Beshear said.The FBI said its agents were also responding to the shooting.The shooting happened in a building on East Main Street that houses the Old National Bank not far from the Louisville Slugger Field and Waterfront Park.

Police: Ex-employee stormed Louisville bank; multiple fatalities

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Accomplished actor, comedian, three-time Emmy nominated screenwriter and director Rob Schneider will perform at the Kansas State Fair, Sunday, September 10 with special guest Byron Kennedy. &nbsp;​ As a stand-up comic and veteran of the award-winning NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, Schneider has gone on to a successful career in films and television and continues his world-wide stand-up tour. &nbsp; ​ His TV and film credits include the NBC sitcom Men Behaving Badly and starring roles in the feature films Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, the Animal, the Hot Chick, The Benchwarmers, Grownups, The Waterboy, Little Nicky, The Longest Yard, 50 First Dates, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, animated film 8 Crazy Nights, and Netflix’s The Wrong Missy and Hubie Halloween. &nbsp;​ Schneider is currently co-starring in Netflix’s Home Team, starring Kevin James in addition to his stand-up comedy tour. Schneider also recently completed production on the film Daddy Daughter Trip, which he produced, directed and starred in.  &nbsp;​ Kennedy is a rising star in the comedy world and has been featured on Comedy Central's Roast Battle and MTV's Wild 'N Out. ​ Tickets go on sale at 8 a.m. Friday, April 14 at&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasstatefair.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3e8ba81fdd03d1e38c02c0ae6&amp;id=8e8ad2f61e&amp;e=3291b91fe2" target="_blank">KansasStateFair.com</a>. Anyone signed up for Kansas State Fair emails can get access to tickets with a presale code, starting 8 a.m. Thursday, April 13. Sign up for emails at&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasstatefair.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3e8ba81fdd03d1e38c02c0ae6&amp;id=c5a4dc3214&amp;e=3291b91fe2" target="_blank">https://www.kansasstatefair.com/p/general-information1/email-updates​</a> The show will be Sunday, September 10 at 7:30 p.m. &nbsp;​ Ticket Options:​ Reserved seating on the Floor is $70 and the Grandstand is $60/$40. &nbsp;​ There are several options for an upgraded Grandstand experience:​ Metal &amp; Soul Patio​ Get all your friends close to the stage! Reserve a table on our Metal &amp; Soul Patio to enjoy the show from a private table that seats six. Each table is $600.​ Metal &amp; Soul Patio with VIP Experience​ Want the ultimate VIP treatment? In addition to a reserved table for six on the Metal &amp; Soul Patio, this package provides three beverage coupons per person, complimentary food within the VIP seating area prior to the show, 2 VIP parking passes, and early entrance to the Grandstand. Each table with VIP experience is $750.​ NOTE: Each grandstand ticket includes a gate admission scan. Ticket will be valid on date of event only. Some exclusions apply. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasstatefair.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3e8ba81fdd03d1e38c02c0ae6&amp;id=8938139cff&amp;e=3291b91fe2" target="_blank">KansasStateFair.com</a>&nbsp;to learn more. ​ To purchase tickets or for more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasstatefair.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3e8ba81fdd03d1e38c02c0ae6&amp;id=46f8db11be&amp;e=3291b91fe2" target="_blank">kansasstatefair.com</a>&nbsp;or call (620) 669-3618

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681127685633.jpeg" alt="Rob Schneider&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Rob Schneider&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Accomplished actor, comedian, three-time Emmy nominated screenwriter and director Rob Schneider will perform at the Kansas State Fair, Sunday, September 10 with special guest Byron Kennedy. &nbsp;​ As a stand-up comic and veteran of the award-winning NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, Schneider has gone on to a successful career in films and television and continues his world-wide stand-up tour. &nbsp; ​ His TV and film credits include the NBC sitcom Men Behaving Badly and starring roles in the feature films Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, the Animal, the Hot Chick, The Benchwarmers, Grownups, The Waterboy, Little Nicky, The Longest Yard, 50 First Dates, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, animated film 8 Crazy Nights, and Netflix’s The Wrong Missy and Hubie Halloween. &nbsp;​ Schneider is currently co-starring in Netflix’s Home Team, starring Kevin James in addition to his stand-up comedy tour. Schneider also recently completed production on the film Daddy Daughter Trip, which he produced, directed and starred in.  &nbsp;​ Kennedy is a rising star in the comedy world and has been featured on Comedy Central's Roast Battle and MTV's Wild 'N Out. ​ Tickets go on sale at 8 a.m. Friday, April 14 at&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasstatefair.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3e8ba81fdd03d1e38c02c0ae6&amp;id=8e8ad2f61e&amp;e=3291b91fe2" target="_blank">KansasStateFair.com</a>. Anyone signed up for Kansas State Fair emails can get access to tickets with a presale code, starting 8 a.m. Thursday, April 13. Sign up for emails at&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasstatefair.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3e8ba81fdd03d1e38c02c0ae6&amp;id=c5a4dc3214&amp;e=3291b91fe2" target="_blank">https://www.kansasstatefair.com/p/general-information1/email-updates​</a> The show will be Sunday, September 10 at 7:30 p.m. &nbsp;​ Ticket Options:​ Reserved seating on the Floor is $70 and the Grandstand is $60/$40. &nbsp;​ There are several options for an upgraded Grandstand experience:​ Metal &amp; Soul Patio​ Get all your friends close to the stage! Reserve a table on our Metal &amp; Soul Patio to enjoy the show from a private table that seats six. Each table is $600.​ Metal &amp; Soul Patio with VIP Experience​ Want the ultimate VIP treatment? In addition to a reserved table for six on the Metal &amp; Soul Patio, this package provides three beverage coupons per person, complimentary food within the VIP seating area prior to the show, 2 VIP parking passes, and early entrance to the Grandstand. Each table with VIP experience is $750.​ NOTE: Each grandstand ticket includes a gate admission scan. Ticket will be valid on date of event only. Some exclusions apply. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasstatefair.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3e8ba81fdd03d1e38c02c0ae6&amp;id=8938139cff&amp;e=3291b91fe2" target="_blank">KansasStateFair.com</a>&nbsp;to learn more. ​ To purchase tickets or for more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasstatefair.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3e8ba81fdd03d1e38c02c0ae6&amp;id=46f8db11be&amp;e=3291b91fe2" target="_blank">kansasstatefair.com</a>&nbsp;or call (620) 669-3618

'Saturday Night Live' star coming to Kansas State Fair

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas felon accused in a robbery, domestic violence incident made a court appearance last week.

Pearl Haynes IV, 40 of Wichita, is charged with aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, burglary, theft, criminal damage to property, criminal threat, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement and battery against a law enforcement officer, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just before 9:20 pm, Friday, police dispatched to a Domestic Violence with weapon call in the 6700 block of West Par Lane in Wichita involving Haynes and a 34-year-old woman, according to Officer Chad Ditch.

Officers arrived on the scene and spoke to the woman who stated Haynes showed up at her house intoxicated and began breaking several items in her apartment. Officers saw Haynes flee from the front of the apartment and they gave chase on foot. Haynes jumped a privacy fence. 

Once he got over that fence officers heard eight gunshots coming from where he landed placing the officers in fear. They immediately took cover and waited for more officers to arrive.

A short time later officers began to provide security around the area where Haynes was last seen. An abundance of precaution was being utilized due to Haynes firing several rounds. Other law enforcement agencies arrived to provide assistance as well.

At approximately 11:15 pm, a resident in the 1300 block of South Westfield called 911 stating Haynes was at their residence banging on the door saying he was on the run from the police.

Officers made their way to the Westfield location. Unmarked units were in the area when they witnessed Haynes flee on an ATV.

A brief pursuit would occur, and Haynes attempted to turn the ATV in the 200 block of South Byron Court when the vehicle tipped on its side and Haynes fled on foot. Police eventually took into custody in the 300 block of South Keith Street. He is being held on requested charges of Aggravated Assault LEO, criminal damage to property/Domestic Violence robbery, evade and elude, DUI, resisting arrest, and battery of a law enforcement officer. Police don't know if he was firing at officers or firing in the air while officers were chasing him in attempts to make officers fall back., according to Ditch.

Haynes knew both the victim at Par Lane and the Westfield location, according to Ditch. He has over a dozen previous convictions that include theft, burglary, robbery, aggravated escape from custody and for drug possession, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections\

He is being held on a bond of $100,000.  His next court appearance is April 13, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680378669885.png" alt="Haynes has over a dozen previous convictions that include theft, burglary, robbery, aggravated escape from custody and for drug possession, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Haynes has over a dozen previous convictions that include theft, burglary, robbery, aggravated escape from custody and for drug possession, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas felon accused in a robbery, domestic violence incident made a court appearance last week.Pearl Haynes IV, 40 of Wichita, is charged with aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, burglary, theft, criminal damage to property, criminal threat, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement and battery against a law enforcement officer, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just before 9:20 pm, Friday, police dispatched to a Domestic Violence with weapon call in the 6700 block of West Par Lane in Wichita involving Haynes and a 34-year-old woman, according to Officer Chad Ditch.Officers arrived on the scene and spoke to the woman who stated Haynes showed up at her house intoxicated and began breaking several items in her apartment. Officers saw Haynes flee from the front of the apartment and they gave chase on foot. Haynes jumped a privacy fence. Once he got over that fence officers heard eight gunshots coming from where he landed placing the officers in fear. They immediately took cover and waited for more officers to arrive.A short time later officers began to provide security around the area where Haynes was last seen. An abundance of precaution was being utilized due to Haynes firing several rounds. Other law enforcement agencies arrived to provide assistance as well.At approximately 11:15 pm, a resident in the 1300 block of South Westfield called 911 stating Haynes was at their residence banging on the door saying he was on the run from the police.Officers made their way to the Westfield location. Unmarked units were in the area when they witnessed Haynes flee on an ATV.A brief pursuit would occur, and Haynes attempted to turn the ATV in the 200 block of South Byron Court when the vehicle tipped on its side and Haynes fled on foot. Police eventually took into custody in the 300 block of South Keith Street. He is being held on requested charges of Aggravated Assault LEO, criminal damage to property/Domestic Violence robbery, evade and elude, DUI, resisting arrest, and battery of a law enforcement officer. Police don't know if he was firing at officers or firing in the air while officers were chasing him in attempts to make officers fall back., according to Ditch.Haynes knew both the victim at Par Lane and the Westfield location, according to Ditch. He has over a dozen previous convictions that include theft, burglary, robbery, aggravated escape from custody and for drug possession, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections\He is being held on a bond of $100,000. His next court appearance is April 13, according to the district attorney's office.

Kansas felon charged after firing weapon during police chase 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend stabbing and have a teen in custody.

Just before 7a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to report of the stabbing at a home in the 2700 block of E 15th Street North in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

First responders located a 20-year-old victim at the intersection of 15th Street N and Volutsia and two citizens providing first aid to him.

The investigation revealed the 20-year-old victim got into a verbal argument with his brother after he accidentally woke him up. During the verbal argument, the suspect began stabbing his 20-year-old brother. 

The suspect stabbed his brother multiple times in his left upper body, lower back, and left arm.

EMS transported the victim to an area hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The victim underwent surgery and was reported in critical but stable condition.

Police arrested the 17-year-old brother on requested charges of aggravated battery. Police have not released the name of the suspect or brother.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681049208489.png" alt="First responders at the scene early Saturday-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene early Saturday-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend stabbing and have a teen in custody.Just before 7a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to report of the stabbing at a home in the 2700 block of E 15th Street North in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.First responders located a 20-year-old victim at the intersection of 15th Street N and Volutsia and two citizens providing first aid to him.The investigation revealed the 20-year-old victim got into a verbal argument with his brother after he accidentally woke him up. During the verbal argument, the suspect began stabbing his 20-year-old brother. The suspect stabbed his brother multiple times in his left upper body, lower back, and left arm.EMS transported the victim to an area hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The victim underwent surgery and was reported in critical but stable condition.Police arrested the 17-year-old brother on requested charges of aggravated battery. Police have not released the name of the suspect or brother.

Kan. teen stabbed brother who accidentally woke him up

WASHINGTON (AP) —A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trans-athletes-sports-ban-2f6cf412d306e73e68efa2377fb5081a">Biden administration proposal</a>&nbsp;to forbid outright bans on transgender athletes sparked outrage from conservative leaders while also angering trans rights activists who note schools could still prevent some athletes from participating on teams that align with their gender identity.

The Kansas Legislature last week overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-athletes-ban-kansas-711e121ea0ab00653d61f9dadf9b9c0e">third veto in three years</a>&nbsp;of a bill to ban transgender athletes in girls' sports.

Biden's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/fact-sheet-us-department-educations-proposed-change-its-title-ix-regulations-students-eligibility-athletic-teams">proposed rule</a>, which still faces a lengthy approval process, establishes that blanket bans, like those that have been approved in at least 20 states, would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/title-ix">violate Title IX</a>, the landmark gender-equity legislation enacted in 1972. But schools that receive federal funding could still adopt policies that limit transgender students' participation, particularly in more competitive high school and college sports.

Under the proposal, it would be much more difficult for schools to ban, for example, a transgender girl in elementary school from playing on a girls basketball team. But it would also leave room for schools to develop policies that prohibit trans athletes from playing on more competitive teams if those policies are designed to ensure fairness or prevent sports-related injuries.

Imara Jones, a trans woman who created “The Anti-Trans Hate Machine” podcast, blasted the proposal, saying President Joe Biden is attempting to “straddle the fence” on a human rights issue ahead of an election year by giving legal recourse to schools that bar some trans athletes from competition.

“The Biden Administration framed their proposal as a ban on blanket discrimination against trans athletes," Jones said. “But actually, it provides guidelines for how schools and universities can ban trans athletes legally.”

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, also offered pointed criticism,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1644123142015660032">saying in a tweet</a>&nbsp;that the plan was “indefensible and embarrassing.”

Erin Reed, a prominent trans activist and researcher, said the proposal “alarmingly” echoes right-wing talking points, which argue that trans participation could increase injuries and take away scholarship opportunities from female athletes who are cisgender, meaning their gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth. She worries school boards and lawmakers will use it to justify bans.

Extensive research is virtually nonexistent when it comes to determining whether adolescent trans girls have a clear athletic advantage over cisgender girls.

“I can’t read this any other way than a betrayal,” Reed&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/ErinInTheMorn/status/1644088489703620608?s=20">said in a tweet</a>. “This entire document is worse than doing nothing.”

The U.S. Department of Education declined to comment Friday on criticisms from trans rights advocates.

Sean Ebony Coleman, founder of the LGBTQ+ center Destination Tomorrow in New York, said policymakers — particularly on a national level — need to rule out any option for trans people to be further ostracized.

“While it hypothetically prevents across-the-board bans, it offers enough gray area for discrete gender policing and demonization to occur, specifically on a local level,” Coleman said.

Still, some transgender athletes welcomed the proposal as an important first step toward protecting trans kids' access to sports.

“I would love to see protections expanded to include elite and collegiate sports, but this seems like a good start,” said Iszac Henig, a trans man and competitive swimmer at Yale University. “Trans athletes should have the ability to compete on the team of their choice if their athletic skills allow it.”

Some LGBTQ+ organizations, such as the nonprofit GLBTQ Legal Advocates &amp; Defenders,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.glad.org/post/glad-comment-on-doe-proposed-rule-on-transgender-student-inclusion-in-sports/">applauded the proposal</a>&nbsp;for allowing schools to adopt what it considers “reasonable policies for inclusion of transgender athletes that take into account differences between sports and across levels of competition.”

Doriane Coleman, a law professor at Duke University, said the proposal allows schools to “still choose to have male and female sports teams" and makes sense compared with the “one-size-fits-all approach” found in some states.

A way that the federal government, states and advocacy groups can avoid “piecemeal litigation” is by making clear “there is a body of evidence to support generalizable sex-specific eligibility standards for each sport at each level of development,” Coleman said.

The proposal was assailed by many Republican leaders who said they were ready to fight the plan in court.

“South Dakota will not allow this to stand,” Gov. Kristi Noem&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KristiNoem/status/1644113018450526209">tweeted</a>. “We will lead. We will defend our laws.”

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall issued a statement suggesting the state might also try to challenge the federal rule. Alabama lawmakers in 2021 approved legislation that bans trans women and girls from participating on female sports team in K-12 schools. It was also one of 20 states that filed a lawsuit in 2021 seeking to halt directives that extend federal sex discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ people.

“I have made myself abundantly clear to the Biden Administration that he will NOT impose his radical policies on Alabama athletes. He will NOT destroy athletic competition for our young women &amp; girls. In Alabama our law protects girls’ sports. Stay tuned!” Marshall said in a statement.

Selina Soule, a former high school track player in Connecticut, who joined others&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/danbury-us-news-ap-top-news-hartford-sports-general-8fd300537131153cc44e0cf2ade3244b">in suing</a>&nbsp;over the state’s policy allowing two transgender girls to compete against them, denounced the proposal.

“I never stood a chance when I competed with them,” she said of trans girls. "Women deserve fair competition.”

The public will have 30 days to comment on the proposal after it is published in the Federal Register. After that, the Education Department will review the comments and decide whether any changes are needed before issuing a final rule.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680642960114.png" alt=" Ian Benalcázar delivers a speech March 31 at the Kansas Statehouse as part of the March for Queer and Trans Youth Autonomy. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Ian Benalcázar delivers a speech March 31 at the Kansas Statehouse as part of the March for Queer and Trans Youth Autonomy. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trans-athletes-sports-ban-2f6cf412d306e73e68efa2377fb5081a">Biden administration proposal</a>&nbsp;to forbid outright bans on transgender athletes sparked outrage from conservative leaders while also angering trans rights activists who note schools could still prevent some athletes from participating on teams that align with their gender identity.The Kansas Legislature last week overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-athletes-ban-kansas-711e121ea0ab00653d61f9dadf9b9c0e">third veto in three years</a>&nbsp;of a bill to ban transgender athletes in girls' sports.Biden's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/fact-sheet-us-department-educations-proposed-change-its-title-ix-regulations-students-eligibility-athletic-teams">proposed rule</a>, which still faces a lengthy approval process, establishes that blanket bans, like those that have been approved in at least 20 states, would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/title-ix">violate Title IX</a>, the landmark gender-equity legislation enacted in 1972. But schools that receive federal funding could still adopt policies that limit transgender students' participation, particularly in more competitive high school and college sports.Under the proposal, it would be much more difficult for schools to ban, for example, a transgender girl in elementary school from playing on a girls basketball team. But it would also leave room for schools to develop policies that prohibit trans athletes from playing on more competitive teams if those policies are designed to ensure fairness or prevent sports-related injuries.Imara Jones, a trans woman who created “The Anti-Trans Hate Machine” podcast, blasted the proposal, saying President Joe Biden is attempting to “straddle the fence” on a human rights issue ahead of an election year by giving legal recourse to schools that bar some trans athletes from competition.“The Biden Administration framed their proposal as a ban on blanket discrimination against trans athletes," Jones said. “But actually, it provides guidelines for how schools and universities can ban trans athletes legally.”U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, also offered pointed criticism,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AOC/status/1644123142015660032">saying in a tweet</a>&nbsp;that the plan was “indefensible and embarrassing.”Erin Reed, a prominent trans activist and researcher, said the proposal “alarmingly” echoes right-wing talking points, which argue that trans participation could increase injuries and take away scholarship opportunities from female athletes who are cisgender, meaning their gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth. She worries school boards and lawmakers will use it to justify bans.Extensive research is virtually nonexistent when it comes to determining whether adolescent trans girls have a clear athletic advantage over cisgender girls.“I can’t read this any other way than a betrayal,” Reed&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/ErinInTheMorn/status/1644088489703620608?s=20">said in a tweet</a>. “This entire document is worse than doing nothing.”The U.S. Department of Education declined to comment Friday on criticisms from trans rights advocates.Sean Ebony Coleman, founder of the LGBTQ+ center Destination Tomorrow in New York, said policymakers — particularly on a national level — need to rule out any option for trans people to be further ostracized.“While it hypothetically prevents across-the-board bans, it offers enough gray area for discrete gender policing and demonization to occur, specifically on a local level,” Coleman said.Still, some transgender athletes welcomed the proposal as an important first step toward protecting trans kids' access to sports.“I would love to see protections expanded to include elite and collegiate sports, but this seems like a good start,” said Iszac Henig, a trans man and competitive swimmer at Yale University. “Trans athletes should have the ability to compete on the team of their choice if their athletic skills allow it.”Some LGBTQ+ organizations, such as the nonprofit GLBTQ Legal Advocates &amp; Defenders,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.glad.org/post/glad-comment-on-doe-proposed-rule-on-transgender-student-inclusion-in-sports/">applauded the proposal</a>&nbsp;for allowing schools to adopt what it considers “reasonable policies for inclusion of transgender athletes that take into account differences between sports and across levels of competition.”Doriane Coleman, a law professor at Duke University, said the proposal allows schools to “still choose to have male and female sports teams" and makes sense compared with the “one-size-fits-all approach” found in some states.A way that the federal government, states and advocacy groups can avoid “piecemeal litigation” is by making clear “there is a body of evidence to support generalizable sex-specific eligibility standards for each sport at each level of development,” Coleman said.The proposal was assailed by many Republican leaders who said they were ready to fight the plan in court.“South Dakota will not allow this to stand,” Gov. Kristi Noem&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/KristiNoem/status/1644113018450526209">tweeted</a>. “We will lead. We will defend our laws.”Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall issued a statement suggesting the state might also try to challenge the federal rule. Alabama lawmakers in 2021 approved legislation that bans trans women and girls from participating on female sports team in K-12 schools. It was also one of 20 states that filed a lawsuit in 2021 seeking to halt directives that extend federal sex discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ people.“I have made myself abundantly clear to the Biden Administration that he will NOT impose his radical policies on Alabama athletes. He will NOT destroy athletic competition for our young women &amp; girls. In Alabama our law protects girls’ sports. Stay tuned!” Marshall said in a statement.Selina Soule, a former high school track player in Connecticut, who joined others&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/danbury-us-news-ap-top-news-hartford-sports-general-8fd300537131153cc44e0cf2ade3244b">in suing</a>&nbsp;over the state’s policy allowing two transgender girls to compete against them, denounced the proposal.“I never stood a chance when I competed with them,” she said of trans girls. "Women deserve fair competition.”The public will have 30 days to comment on the proposal after it is published in the Federal Register. After that, the Education Department will review the comments and decide whether any changes are needed before issuing a final rule.___

Transgender advocates, opponents rip Biden sports plan 

GRAY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident during a pursuit by law enforcement just before 9p.m. Sunday in Gray County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Nissan Murano driven by 18-year-0ld Tanner Godwin was fleeing from law enforcement from Meade County on Kansas 23.

The driver tried to turn off onto KK Road. The vehicle turned wide and traveled off the road into a ditch and came to rest in a dry containment pond.

EMS transported Godwin to the Meade District Hospital.&nbsp; The KHP released no additional details including where Godwin is from.

GRAY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident during a pursuit by law enforcement just before 9p.m. Sunday in Gray County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Nissan Murano driven by 18-year-0ld Tanner Godwin was fleeing from law enforcement from Meade County on Kansas 23.The driver tried to turn off onto KK Road. The vehicle turned wide and traveled off the road into a ditch and came to rest in a dry containment pond.EMS transported Godwin to the Meade District Hospital.&nbsp; The KHP released no additional details including where Godwin is from.

Teen hospitalized after Kan. police chase, crash into containment pond 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stolen vehicle and have made two arrests.

An April 7, Patrol Deputies were dispatched to 1818 County Road 3700, Coffeyville, Kansas in reference to a vehicle being parked at the residence which matched a report of a stolen vehicle, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.

 When deputies arrived they observed a black 2008 Chevy Suburban sitting at the residence and white male attempt to exit the driver’s side of the vehicle.

 Deputies immediately took the man identified as 27-year-old Chance Lawyer of&nbsp;Bartlesville, Oklahoma into custody.&nbsp;

 Deputies located a second subject in the passenger seat of the vehicle who was identified as 44-year-old Charles Miles of Bartlesville, Oklahoma and took him into custody.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Police confirmed that was the stolen vehicle from Coffeyville. Miles is being held without bond. He was released from prison in January and has previous convictions for robbery, theft, burglary and drugs, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections.

This case will be sent over to the Montgomery County Attorney’s Office for review and proper charging.  All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a Court of Law.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681081838096.png" alt="Miles has previous convictions for robbery, theft, burglary and drugs, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections.-photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Miles has previous convictions for robbery, theft, burglary and drugs, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections.-photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stolen vehicle and have made two arrests.An April 7, Patrol Deputies were dispatched to 1818 County Road 3700, Coffeyville, Kansas in reference to a vehicle being parked at the residence which matched a report of a stolen vehicle, according to Sheriff Ron Wade. When deputies arrived they observed a black 2008 Chevy Suburban sitting at the residence and white male attempt to exit the driver’s side of the vehicle.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681082095411.png" alt="Lawyer is no longer in custody-photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Lawyer is no longer in custody-photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure> Deputies immediately took the man identified as 27-year-old Chance Lawyer of&nbsp;Bartlesville, Oklahoma into custody.&nbsp; Deputies located a second subject in the passenger seat of the vehicle who was identified as 44-year-old Charles Miles of Bartlesville, Oklahoma and took him into custody.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Police confirmed that was the stolen vehicle from Coffeyville. Miles is being held without bond. He was released from prison in January and has previous convictions for robbery, theft, burglary and drugs, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections.This case will be sent over to the Montgomery County Attorney’s Office for review and proper charging. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a Court of Law.

Kansas man released from prison in January caught in stolen car

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

Just before 4:30p.m. Friday, a Sheriff’s Office K9 unit conducted a traffic stop at 2nd and Main in Carbondale, Kansas for an alleged traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells 

During the stop, deputies found illegal narcotics. The driver of the vehicle, Marie E. Bagby, 60, of Carbondale, was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681049873155.png" alt="Bagby-photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Bagby-photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations after a traffic stop.Just before 4:30p.m. Friday, a Sheriff’s Office K9 unit conducted a traffic stop at 2nd and Main in Carbondale, Kansas for an alleged traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells During the stop, deputies found illegal narcotics. The driver of the vehicle, Marie E. Bagby, 60, of Carbondale, was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff's K9 unit discovered Kan. woman was transporting meth

By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/epa-estimates-more-than-54000-lead-pipes-remain-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>

More than 54,000 lead service pipes carry drinking water to Kansas families, according to a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-04/Final_DWINSA%20Public%20Factsheet%204.4.23.pdf">new estimate from the Environmental Protection Agency</a>.

New lead water pipes have been banned
 for more than 30 years. But the EPA estimates that 9.2 million American
 households still get their water through aging lead pipes.

About 0.6% of those are in Kansas, ranking the state 26th in the country for its number of lead service lines. The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/biden-harris-administration-announces-661-million-drinking-water-infrastructure">EPA announced Tuesday</a> the state would get $66.1 million to update its water infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Over the next 20 years, the EPA estimates the U.S. will need $625 billion to update water infrastructure.

The EPA’s regional administrator, 
Meghan McCollister, said in a news release that the funds would go to 
“ensure that Kansans have access to clean drinking water.”

“Kansas’ investments through this 
fund will aid in securing needed resources to address critical 
infrastructure needs, threats to drinking water systems such as lead 
pipes, and emerging contaminants such as (forever chemicals).”

The funding allotment prioritized states according to need, something the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nrdc.org/press-releases/epa-announces-change-funding-lead-pipe-replacement-new-distribution-will-be-based">Natural Resources Defense Council applauded</a>. The environmental organization <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nrdc.org/bio/cyndi-roper/lead-pipe-funding-shortchanges-states-most-lead-water-pipes">published a report last year</a> saying the states that most needed funds to replace lead service lines were getting shortchanged.

“EPA’s changes will ensure a fairer 
and more equitable distribution of funding dollars to replace the 
nation’s millions of lead pipes,” said Cyndi Roper, one of the authors 
of last year’s analysis. “It’s good news for communities with the 
highest need that will now have access to more funding to get lead pipes
 out of the ground.”

The EPA banned new lead service lines
 —&nbsp;the pipes that carry water from water mains into people’s homes — in 
1986 in an effort to combat lead poisoning.

<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/04/11/known-to-be-toxic-for-a-century-lead-still-poisons-thousands-of-midwestern-kids/">Lead is a neurotoxin</a>
 that, even at low levels, can harm children’s developing brains. 
Exposure to lead through water accounts for 20% of a child’s overall 
exposure, on average. For fetuses and formula-fed infants, leaded water 
is the No. 1 source of exposure.

President Joe Biden’s administration has pledged to remove the country’s lead service lines. But <a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/06/20/time-bomb-lead-pipes-set-to-be-removed-but-first-water-utilities-have-to-find-them/">for now, little is known about where they are</a>.

The EPA’s new estimates are 
projections based on a survey that water utilities filled out in 2021. 
But not every utility was required to fill out the survey. And some that
 did respond reported not knowing what their service lines are made of.

The EPA estimated Kansas has 54,107 lead service lines while the NRDC estimated in 2021 the state had more than 160,000.

Water utilities treat their water to 
be noncorrosive so that lead won’t leach from the service line into 
people’s drinking water.

But a change in the water chemistry 
or construction that shakes up a pipe can cause it to start leaching the
 toxin into drinking water.

That’s what happened in Flint, Michigan, the most prominent case of lead-contaminated water in recent years.&nbsp;

But the issue isn’t unique to that 
high-profile situation. A pediatrician who helped uncover the Flint 
water crisis said it wasn’t the first, worst or last.&nbsp;

Something similar happened in 
Trenton, Missouri, where the water utility switched chemicals used to 
disinfect the water and the lead levels spiked. Trenton, like many other
 water utilities, doesn’t know where its lead service lines are.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680803328088.png" alt="A piece of lead pipe removed from Jerry Land’s yard in Olathe shows a layer of lining inside the pipe that indicates the city’s water supply provided a thin film that prevented the pipe from leeching lead into the home’s water. President Joe Biden's administration is prioritizing lead pipe removal more than 30 years after new ones were banned. (Carlos Moreno/KCUR)." />
 <figcaption>A piece of lead pipe removed from Jerry Land’s yard in Olathe shows a layer of lining inside the pipe that indicates the city’s water supply provided a thin film that prevented the pipe from leeching lead into the home’s water. President Joe Biden's administration is prioritizing lead pipe removal more than 30 years after new ones were banned. (Carlos Moreno/KCUR).</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/epa-estimates-more-than-54000-lead-pipes-remain-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>More than 54,000 lead service pipes carry drinking water to Kansas families, according to a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-04/Final_DWINSA%20Public%20Factsheet%204.4.23.pdf">new estimate from the Environmental Protection Agency</a>.New lead water pipes have been banned
 for more than 30 years. But the EPA estimates that 9.2 million American
 households still get their water through aging lead pipes.About 0.6% of those are in Kansas, ranking the state 26th in the country for its number of lead service lines. The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/biden-harris-administration-announces-661-million-drinking-water-infrastructure">EPA announced Tuesday</a> the state would get $66.1 million to update its water infrastructure through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.Over the next 20 years, the EPA estimates the U.S. will need $625 billion to update water infrastructure.The EPA’s regional administrator, 
Meghan McCollister, said in a news release that the funds would go to 
“ensure that Kansans have access to clean drinking water.”“Kansas’ investments through this 
fund will aid in securing needed resources to address critical 
infrastructure needs, threats to drinking water systems such as lead 
pipes, and emerging contaminants such as (forever chemicals).”The funding allotment prioritized states according to need, something the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nrdc.org/press-releases/epa-announces-change-funding-lead-pipe-replacement-new-distribution-will-be-based">Natural Resources Defense Council applauded</a>. The environmental organization <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nrdc.org/bio/cyndi-roper/lead-pipe-funding-shortchanges-states-most-lead-water-pipes">published a report last year</a> saying the states that most needed funds to replace lead service lines were getting shortchanged.“EPA’s changes will ensure a fairer 
and more equitable distribution of funding dollars to replace the 
nation’s millions of lead pipes,” said Cyndi Roper, one of the authors 
of last year’s analysis. “It’s good news for communities with the 
highest need that will now have access to more funding to get lead pipes
 out of the ground.”The EPA banned new lead service lines
 —&nbsp;the pipes that carry water from water mains into people’s homes — in 
1986 in an effort to combat lead poisoning.<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/04/11/known-to-be-toxic-for-a-century-lead-still-poisons-thousands-of-midwestern-kids/">Lead is a neurotoxin</a>
 that, even at low levels, can harm children’s developing brains. 
Exposure to lead through water accounts for 20% of a child’s overall 
exposure, on average. For fetuses and formula-fed infants, leaded water 
is the No. 1 source of exposure.President Joe Biden’s administration has pledged to remove the country’s lead service lines. But <a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/06/20/time-bomb-lead-pipes-set-to-be-removed-but-first-water-utilities-have-to-find-them/">for now, little is known about where they are</a>.The EPA’s new estimates are 
projections based on a survey that water utilities filled out in 2021. 
But not every utility was required to fill out the survey. And some that
 did respond reported not knowing what their service lines are made of.The EPA estimated Kansas has 54,107 lead service lines while the NRDC estimated in 2021 the state had more than 160,000.Water utilities treat their water to 
be noncorrosive so that lead won’t leach from the service line into 
people’s drinking water.But a change in the water chemistry 
or construction that shakes up a pipe can cause it to start leaching the
 toxin into drinking water.That’s what happened in Flint, Michigan, the most prominent case of lead-contaminated water in recent years.&nbsp;But the issue isn’t unique to that 
high-profile situation. A pediatrician who helped uncover the Flint 
water crisis said it wasn’t the first, worst or last.&nbsp;Something similar happened in 
Trenton, Missouri, where the water utility switched chemicals used to 
disinfect the water and the lead levels spiked. Trenton, like many other
 water utilities, doesn’t know where its lead service lines are.

EPA: More than 54,000 lead pipes remain in Kansas

By SAMANTHA HORTON <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-04-06/kansas-could-remove-thousands-of-people-from-medicaid-rolls-heres-what-to-do-if-youre-on-kancare">Kansas News Service</a>

More than 500,000 Kansans face a review over the next year to see if 
they still qualify for Medicaid — the first check on eligibility since 
the pandemic prompted a temporary change in rules three years ago.

That
 same federal declaration of a public health emergency effectively added
 tens of thousands to the state’s KanCare Medicaid program — people who 
could now lose that government health insurance — by temporarily barring
 states from stripping away the coverage.

KanCare enrollment rose by about 130,000 people during the pandemic.

The pruning of Kansas Medicaid rolls started last month when the 
state sent out letters to the first round of people up for renewal. This
 month, those 33,000 households will be reviewed to see if they still 
qualify.

Experts and health care advocates suggest all Kansans on 
Medicaid update their addresses and prepare needed documents, such as 
proof of income.

Even with the right documentation, tens of 
thousands of people currently in the KanCare program may no longer 
qualify for Medicaid. That means looking for coverage elsewhere — like 
through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

For starters, make sure the state has your current address.

“Folks
 could lose coverage, even if they are still technically eligible,” said
 Kate Gramlich, a project manager for health insurance enrollment group 
Cover Kansas. “They would still lose coverage if they do not submit, 
like, their renewal paperwork with the information.”

She said 
homeless people can use the address of a friend, a relative or a trusted
 individual in the community who agrees to let you use their address.

“The
 next crucial step is to actually watch your mail at that address and 
you will receive paperwork that is specific to your individual household
 situation,” Gramlich said.

That paperwork should walk through the steps to verify Medicaid eligibility.

Cover
 Kansas focuses on helping people with open enrollment for ACA 
marketplace insurance. But the group’s navigators — trained to walk 
people through the marketplace enrollment — can also help with the 
Medicaid renewal process.

“Navigators are already such a kind of a trusted source of information,” Gramlich said. “We are trained to be unbiased.”

El
 Centro Inc., a non-profit serving the Hispanic community in the Kansas 
City area, shares renewal guidance in Spanish. It sets up tables outside
 grocery stores and shares information at weekly classes.

Justin 
Gust, El Centro’s director of community health, said otherwise 
relatively simple paperwork can prove daunting for self-employed people 
or day laborers.

“It’s harder to track,” he said. “That data isn’t available.”

Some people might still be filing taxes, one way to show proof of income.

“We’re,
 like, in the heart of tax season, for example. And so if you’re 
self-employed, they do rely on a copy of your taxes as proof of income,”
 Gust said. “So some people are, like, ‘I haven’t filed just yet.’”

Alternative
 forms can be filled out. Gust said they can be lengthy and confusing. 
That’s where El Centro, Connect Kansas and other organizations across 
the state can help.

Called the “Helper Network,” the groups regularly meet with state officials about Medicaid enrollment renewal.

“The ultimate goal … is to … avoid any sort of procedural disenrollment,” Gramlich said.

Some folks might temporarily lose Medicaid coverage because they miss deadlines or lack all the needed paperwork.

Gramlich
 recommends calling a navigator with any questions or for assistance 
going through the paperwork even if you’re denied coverage at first.

“It
 would be a real person who they’d be able to talk to, and they can let 
them know, you know, what the best next steps are,” Gramlich said. “Or 
they can connect them with an in-person navigator.”

However, some people going through the renewal process won’t qualify to stay on Medicaid.

For those who are no longer eligible for Medicaid, the ACA marketplace might offer more affordable options than in the past.

“More
 people are qualified to receive tax assistance and cost-sharing 
benefits than they had been at the beginning of the pandemic,” Gramlich 
said. “So the situation is going to be different and, hopefully, more 
accessible to more people than it was in 2020 when this whole thing 
started.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680809458048.png" alt="Photo illustration by Samantha Horton / The Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo illustration by Samantha Horton / The Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By SAMANTHA HORTON <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-04-06/kansas-could-remove-thousands-of-people-from-medicaid-rolls-heres-what-to-do-if-youre-on-kancare">Kansas News Service</a>More than 500,000 Kansans face a review over the next year to see if 
they still qualify for Medicaid — the first check on eligibility since 
the pandemic prompted a temporary change in rules three years ago.That
 same federal declaration of a public health emergency effectively added
 tens of thousands to the state’s KanCare Medicaid program — people who 
could now lose that government health insurance — by temporarily barring
 states from stripping away the coverage.KanCare enrollment rose by about 130,000 people during the pandemic.The pruning of Kansas Medicaid rolls started last month when the 
state sent out letters to the first round of people up for renewal. This
 month, those 33,000 households will be reviewed to see if they still 
qualify.Experts and health care advocates suggest all Kansans on 
Medicaid update their addresses and prepare needed documents, such as 
proof of income.Even with the right documentation, tens of 
thousands of people currently in the KanCare program may no longer 
qualify for Medicaid. That means looking for coverage elsewhere — like 
through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.Preparing paperworkFor starters, make sure the state has your current address.“Folks
 could lose coverage, even if they are still technically eligible,” said
 Kate Gramlich, a project manager for health insurance enrollment group 
Cover Kansas. “They would still lose coverage if they do not submit, 
like, their renewal paperwork with the information.”She said 
homeless people can use the address of a friend, a relative or a trusted
 individual in the community who agrees to let you use their address.“The
 next crucial step is to actually watch your mail at that address and 
you will receive paperwork that is specific to your individual household
 situation,” Gramlich said.That paperwork should walk through the steps to verify Medicaid eligibility.Cover
 Kansas focuses on helping people with open enrollment for ACA 
marketplace insurance. But the group’s navigators — trained to walk 
people through the marketplace enrollment — can also help with the 
Medicaid renewal process.“Navigators are already such a kind of a trusted source of information,” Gramlich said. “We are trained to be unbiased.”El
 Centro Inc., a non-profit serving the Hispanic community in the Kansas 
City area, shares renewal guidance in Spanish. It sets up tables outside
 grocery stores and shares information at weekly classes.Justin 
Gust, El Centro’s director of community health, said otherwise 
relatively simple paperwork can prove daunting for self-employed people 
or day laborers.“It’s harder to track,” he said. “That data isn’t available.”Some people might still be filing taxes, one way to show proof of income.“We’re,
 like, in the heart of tax season, for example. And so if you’re 
self-employed, they do rely on a copy of your taxes as proof of income,”
 Gust said. “So some people are, like, ‘I haven’t filed just yet.’”Alternative
 forms can be filled out. Gust said they can be lengthy and confusing. 
That’s where El Centro, Connect Kansas and other organizations across 
the state can help.Called the “Helper Network,” the groups regularly meet with state officials about Medicaid enrollment renewal.“The ultimate goal … is to … avoid any sort of procedural disenrollment,” Gramlich said.Renewal DeniedSome folks might temporarily lose Medicaid coverage because they miss deadlines or lack all the needed paperwork.Gramlich
 recommends calling a navigator with any questions or for assistance 
going through the paperwork even if you’re denied coverage at first.“It
 would be a real person who they’d be able to talk to, and they can let 
them know, you know, what the best next steps are,” Gramlich said. “Or 
they can connect them with an in-person navigator.”However, some people going through the renewal process won’t qualify to stay on Medicaid.For those who are no longer eligible for Medicaid, the ACA marketplace might offer more affordable options than in the past.“More
 people are qualified to receive tax assistance and cost-sharing 
benefits than they had been at the beginning of the pandemic,” Gramlich 
said. “So the situation is going to be different and, hopefully, more 
accessible to more people than it was in 2020 when this whole thing 
started.”For people unable to afford policies sold on the ACA 
marketplace and no longer eligible for Medicaid, community health 
centers can be an option. They charge for care on a sliding scale based 
on income.“And the paperwork is incredibly easy to fill out,” 
said Elizabeth Keever, Heartland Health Community Health Center chief 
development officer.The center located in Lawrence, Kansas, has 
seen its caseload more than double since the start of the pandemic. The 
center also offers help getting insurance through both Medicaid or the 
ACA marketplace.Keever said the renewal process will lead to 
further health inequities for Black and Latino families, who 
statistically already have less access to quality care.“It’s 
really unfortunate,” she said, “to be faced with an opportunity where 
people are finally seeking those health care services that they were 
putting off during the pandemic and now just to lose their potential 
coverage.”Resources to reach out to:Kansas Department of Health and Environment, KanCare"KanCare.ks.gov 1-800-792-4884Connect Kansas 866-826-8375El Centro 913-677-0100 ask for “Health Navigation”Heartland Community Health Center, A Compass Project 785-841-7297 ext. 219 compass@heartlandhealth.org