SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the alleged aggravated criminal solicitation of children in Wichita made his first court appearance Tuesday.&nbsp; Damien Henderson, 43, was charged with&nbsp;3 counts of aggravated indecent solicitation of a child and attempted kidnapping, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;

Just after 7:30p.m. on Jan. 11, police were flagged down at the intersection of Yale and Dunham by a family member stating three girls, ages 7-13, were solicited for sex by&nbsp; Henderson, according to Officer Chad Ditch.

The suspect fled from the scene before officers arrived. None of the girls were physically injured. The girls are known to each other.

The investigation revealed that the three girls were walking in the neighborhood together when Henderson walked up to them and solicited all of them for sex. The girls ran and informed their parents. 

Officers were already in the neighborhood when the adult flagged them down. Officers were given Henderson’s description and a short time later located him near 31st and K-15. 

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20053750">Henderson was detained</a> without incident and police notified Wichita Public Schools of the incident.&nbsp; Henderson <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20053750">remains jailed on a $500,000</a> bond and is due back in court Jan. 30, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673528900779.png" alt="Henderson-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Henderson-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in the alleged aggravated criminal solicitation of children in Wichita made his first court appearance Tuesday.&nbsp; Damien Henderson, 43, was charged with&nbsp;3 counts of aggravated indecent solicitation of a child and attempted kidnapping, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;Just after 7:30p.m. on Jan. 11, police were flagged down at the intersection of Yale and Dunham by a family member stating three girls, ages 7-13, were solicited for sex by&nbsp; Henderson, according to Officer Chad Ditch.The suspect fled from the scene before officers arrived. None of the girls were physically injured. The girls are known to each other.The investigation revealed that the three girls were walking in the neighborhood together when Henderson walked up to them and solicited all of them for sex. The girls ran and informed their parents. Officers were already in the neighborhood when the adult flagged them down. Officers were given Henderson’s description and a short time later located him near 31st and K-15. <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20053750">Henderson was detained</a> without incident and police notified Wichita Public Schools of the incident.&nbsp; Henderson <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20053750">remains jailed on a $500,000</a> bond and is due back in court Jan. 30, according to the district attorney's office.

Kansas man charged after approaching 3 juveniles for sex

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting outside an apartment building in Kansas City have identified the victim as 25-year-old&nbsp;Dahrell Johnson.

Just after 6p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the sound of gun shots in the area of 10300 E. 42nd Street in Kansas City, according to Officer Leslie Foreman.

The call was upgraded to a shooting and officers observed a vehicle in the parking lot and a man inside of the vehicle who had been shot and was unresponsive. Officers began life-saving measures at that time. EMS responded to the scene and transported the victim to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Police did not have any suspect information on Wednesday.&nbsp; Detectives and crime scene personnel responded to the scene and&nbsp; actively canvassed for witnesses and processed the scene for evidence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674039821924.png" alt="Police at the scene of the shooting -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the shooting -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting outside an apartment building in Kansas City have identified the victim as 25-year-old&nbsp;Dahrell Johnson.Just after 6p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the sound of gun shots in the area of 10300 E. 42nd Street in Kansas City, according to Officer Leslie Foreman.The call was upgraded to a shooting and officers observed a vehicle in the parking lot and a man inside of the vehicle who had been shot and was unresponsive. Officers began life-saving measures at that time. EMS responded to the scene and transported the victim to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.Police did not have any suspect information on Wednesday.&nbsp; Detectives and crime scene personnel responded to the scene and&nbsp; actively canvassed for witnesses and processed the scene for evidence.

Police ID man found shot to death in car near KC apartment

HUTCHINSON, KAN. –&nbsp;Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) inmate Juan Caballeros-Yescas died Wednesday. He was found unresponsive in his cell, according to a statement from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Staff began life-saving measures immediately and continued after emergency medical services arrived. Caballeros-Yescas was pronounced deceased by medical staff. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy. A preliminary assessment indicates the death was not related to COVID-19.

Caballeros-Yescas, 30, was serving a 270-month sentence, based on convictions in Sedgwick County of First-Degree Murder, Aggravated Robbery, and three counts of Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon.

Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Caballeros-Yescas, 30, was serving a 270-month sentence, based on convictions in Sedgwick County, Kansas of First-Degree Murder, Aggravated Robbery, and three counts of Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674070630212.png" alt="Caballeros-Yescas had convictions for murder, aggravated burglary and aggravated assault, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Caballeros-Yescas had convictions for murder, aggravated burglary and aggravated assault, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, KAN. –&nbsp;Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) inmate Juan Caballeros-Yescas died Wednesday. He was found unresponsive in his cell, according to a statement from the Kansas Department of Corrections.Staff began life-saving measures immediately and continued after emergency medical services arrived. Caballeros-Yescas was pronounced deceased by medical staff. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy. A preliminary assessment indicates the death was not related to COVID-19.Caballeros-Yescas, 30, was serving a 270-month sentence, based on convictions in Sedgwick County of First-Degree Murder, Aggravated Robbery, and three counts of Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon.Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is currently ongoing.Caballeros-Yescas, 30, was serving a 270-month sentence, based on convictions in Sedgwick County, Kansas of First-Degree Murder, Aggravated Robbery, and three counts of Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon.

30-year-old convicted of murder found dead in Kan. prison cell

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-01-18/crews-have-cleaned-up-most-of-the-oil-that-spilled-out-of-the-keystone-pipeline-in-kansas">Kansas News Service</a>

The pipeline company that spilled nearly 600,000 gallons of oil onto 
fields and into a stream in north-central Kansas says it has cleaned up 
more than 85% of the crude.

Meanwhile, the <a href="https://www.backroadsnews.com/" target="_blank">Washington County, Kansas, newspaper</a> reported that the Keystone pipeline is by far the county’s biggest source of tax revenue. The county’s second-biggest source of tax revenue? Also a pipeline operator.

TC
 Energy estimates that 588,000 gallons of crude oil spewed out when the 
Keystone pipeline burst on Dec. 7 — the biggest spill yet on the 
Canadian company’s largest oil pipeline system.

The company says 
crews have recovered about 516,000 gallons. More than 800 workers are on
 site, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Much of the work focuses on Mill Creek. Several miles of the stream <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-01-05/crews-are-diverting-a-kansas-creek-as-they-race-to-clean-an-oil-spill-and-prevent-further-pollution" target="_blank">have been blocked off</a> to facilitate the intensive cleanup and contain the contamination.

A
 state environmental agency said last week that it was seeing a drop in 
chemical levels downstream from the isolated segment of the creek.

The Washington County News reported Thursday that seven of the county’s 10 biggest taxpayers involve pipelines.

But revenues from the Keystone pipeline eclipse the rest, and only kicked in recently because a 10-year tax exemption expired.

The
 county, two school districts and other local units of government get 
more than $1.9 million combined in taxes from the Keystone this year, 
the newspaper said.

The second-biggest source of tax revenue, 
another pipeline owned by Northern Natural Gas, paid about $670,000 to 
local units of government in Washington County last year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674079663660.png" alt="Crews clean Mill Creek / EPA photo" />
 <figcaption>Crews clean Mill Creek / EPA photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-01-18/crews-have-cleaned-up-most-of-the-oil-that-spilled-out-of-the-keystone-pipeline-in-kansas">Kansas News Service</a>The pipeline company that spilled nearly 600,000 gallons of oil onto 
fields and into a stream in north-central Kansas says it has cleaned up 
more than 85% of the crude.Meanwhile, the <a href="https://www.backroadsnews.com/" target="_blank">Washington County, Kansas, newspaper</a> reported that the Keystone pipeline is by far the county’s biggest source of tax revenue. The county’s second-biggest source of tax revenue? Also a pipeline operator.TC
 Energy estimates that 588,000 gallons of crude oil spewed out when the 
Keystone pipeline burst on Dec. 7 — the biggest spill yet on the 
Canadian company’s largest oil pipeline system.The company says 
crews have recovered about 516,000 gallons. More than 800 workers are on
 site, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Much of the work focuses on Mill Creek. Several miles of the stream <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-01-05/crews-are-diverting-a-kansas-creek-as-they-race-to-clean-an-oil-spill-and-prevent-further-pollution" target="_blank">have been blocked off</a> to facilitate the intensive cleanup and contain the contamination.A
 state environmental agency said last week that it was seeing a drop in 
chemical levels downstream from the isolated segment of the creek.<h2>Biggest taxpayers in Washington County</h2>The Washington County News reported Thursday that seven of the county’s 10 biggest taxpayers involve pipelines.But revenues from the Keystone pipeline eclipse the rest, and only kicked in recently because a 10-year tax exemption expired.The
 county, two school districts and other local units of government get 
more than $1.9 million combined in taxes from the Keystone this year, 
the newspaper said.The second-biggest source of tax revenue, 
another pipeline owned by Northern Natural Gas, paid about $670,000 to 
local units of government in Washington County last year.

Crews have cleaned up most of Keystone's Kansas oil spill

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson called on state lawmakers to set aside nearly $860 million to widen and improve traffic flow on Interstate 70 in his annual State of the State address Wednesday.

Click below to watch a replay of the address

The massive investment in I-70 is part of a nearly $52 billion budget proposal unveiled by the Republican. The rough plan for I-70 includes widening the highway in suburban Kansas City, the Columbia area and suburban St. Louis near Wentzville, where the road is notorious for congestion.

The hope is also to get rid of a tangle of traffic lights at the intersection of I-70 and U.S. 63 in Columbia, Missouri Transportation Department Director Patrick McKenna told reporters before Parson’s address. He said the traffic lights could be replaced with ramps to make switching highways smoother.

"Not only are we concerned for motorist safety, these inefficiencies are costly to our state’s economy,” Parson said in prewritten remarks provided to reporters before his speech. “We must invest to improve I-70. To those who say we can’t afford it, I say we can’t afford not to."

Proposals have existed for years to widen I-70 from two to three lanes in each direction across the entire state, but Missouri has never had the money to do it

Parson’s plan would tap into the state’s historic budget surplus to accomplish a portion of that. It would widen over 50 total miles of roadway in suburban St. Louis, suburban Kansas City and Columbia while also improving a bottleneck interchange at I-70 and U.S. 63. That would still leave around 140 miles or rural I-70 with two lanes in each direction.

By focusing on the most congested areas, the proposal would create “a much more reliable I-70 for the next couple of decades,” McKenna said.

But it could take a few years for construction to begin, because the state first may need to obtain additional land, relocate utilities and design the road, McKenna said.

In response to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/3f94070265958e73e870a8cdab926e78">deadly Amtrak train crash</a>&nbsp;in northern Missouri last year, Parson budgeted $35 million for safety upgrades to railroad crossings across the state. Four people died and dozens more were injured when the Amtrak train collided with a pickup truck near Mendon, Missouri, last June.

“We learned the hard way that we must do more to improve transportation safety,” Parson said in prepared statements.

Though Parson did not propose a mandatory pay raise for teachers, his budget would nearly double the money available for a program that helps local school districts provide extra pay to teachers who take on additional responsibilities. Parson proposed to add nearly $32 million to the program’s current $37 million budget.

The governor also proposed hundreds of millions of additional dollars to fully fund the state’s public school system and continue paying the full bill for school busing.

Higher education institutions would get a 7% funding increase under Parson’s budget plan and an additional $272 million for building projects.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674082566224.png" alt="I-70 at Troost&nbsp; just before 5p.m. Wednesday -image KC Scout" />
 <figcaption>I-70 at Troost&nbsp; just before 5p.m. Wednesday -image KC Scout</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson called on state lawmakers to set aside nearly $860 million to widen and improve traffic flow on Interstate 70 in his annual State of the State address Wednesday.Click below to watch a replay of the address<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W8zzF7ZYivM?start=217" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The massive investment in I-70 is part of a nearly $52 billion budget proposal unveiled by the Republican. The rough plan for I-70 includes widening the highway in suburban Kansas City, the Columbia area and suburban St. Louis near Wentzville, where the road is notorious for congestion.The hope is also to get rid of a tangle of traffic lights at the intersection of I-70 and U.S. 63 in Columbia, Missouri Transportation Department Director Patrick McKenna told reporters before Parson’s address. He said the traffic lights could be replaced with ramps to make switching highways smoother."Not only are we concerned for motorist safety, these inefficiencies are costly to our state’s economy,” Parson said in prewritten remarks provided to reporters before his speech. “We must invest to improve I-70. To those who say we can’t afford it, I say we can’t afford not to."Proposals have existed for years to widen I-70 from two to three lanes in each direction across the entire state, but Missouri has never had the money to do it<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674080158231.png" alt="Lawmakers listen to the 2023 State of the State address" />
 <figcaption>Lawmakers listen to the 2023 State of the State address</figcaption>
 </figure>Parson’s plan would tap into the state’s historic budget surplus to accomplish a portion of that. It would widen over 50 total miles of roadway in suburban St. Louis, suburban Kansas City and Columbia while also improving a bottleneck interchange at I-70 and U.S. 63. That would still leave around 140 miles or rural I-70 with two lanes in each direction.By focusing on the most congested areas, the proposal would create “a much more reliable I-70 for the next couple of decades,” McKenna said.But it could take a few years for construction to begin, because the state first may need to obtain additional land, relocate utilities and design the road, McKenna said.In response to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/3f94070265958e73e870a8cdab926e78">deadly Amtrak train crash</a>&nbsp;in northern Missouri last year, Parson budgeted $35 million for safety upgrades to railroad crossings across the state. Four people died and dozens more were injured when the Amtrak train collided with a pickup truck near Mendon, Missouri, last June.“We learned the hard way that we must do more to improve transportation safety,” Parson said in prepared statements.Though Parson did not propose a mandatory pay raise for teachers, his budget would nearly double the money available for a program that helps local school districts provide extra pay to teachers who take on additional responsibilities. Parson proposed to add nearly $32 million to the program’s current $37 million budget.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674076250936.png" alt="Missouri Gov. Mike Parson just ahead of the State of the State address" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Gov. Mike Parson just ahead of the State of the State address</figcaption>
 </figure>The governor also proposed hundreds of millions of additional dollars to fully fund the state’s public school system and continue paying the full bill for school busing.Higher education institutions would get a 7% funding increase under Parson’s budget plan and an additional $272 million for building projects.—-

🎥Missouri Gov. calls for $860M to widen Interstate 70

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A former researcher who was accused of hiding work he did in China while employed by the University of Kansas, was sentenced Wednesday to time served by a federal judge who said his action did not warrant a prison sentence.

Feng “Franklin” Tao was originally&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-education-kansas-lawrence-university-of-kansas-cbbbb2cce47f22631a676e4e21a04beb">convicted</a>&nbsp;in April on four counts, including three counts of wire fraud. But U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson in September&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-kansas-university-of-276087faef2f22c12ad1e5b91aaa3709">threw out</a>&nbsp;the wire fraud convictions and let the false statement conviction stand.

Tao did not disclose on a form he filled out for Kansas in 2019 that he was named to a Chinese talent program, the Changjiang Professorship. He traveled to China to set up a laboratory and recruit staff for Fuzhou University, while telling Kansas officials that he was in Germany.

Federal prosecutors argued that Tao defrauded the University of Kansas, the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation by lying about work he was doing for Fuzhou University in China. The university and the federal agencies, which awarded Tao grants for research projects, contended his actions cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In announcing the sentence, Robinson said prosecutors had presented no evidence during the trial that Tao received any money for his work in China, which is required for a wire fraud conviction.

She said when the trial started, she expected to hear evidence that Tao's deceptions caused financial loss and that he shared important research with Chinese officials at the expense of U.S. taxpayers and the three institutions.

Rather, the evidence showed that Tao continued fulfilling his duties to the University of Kansas while in China by working 70-hour weeks and pushing his students at Kansas to do the same. And she noted he was doing fundamental research that is freely shared across the scientific community.

“This is not an espionage case ... If it was, they presented absolutely no evidence that was going on," Robinson said. “Believe me, if that was what was going on, it would have been a much different sentence today.”

Tao's attorney, Peter Zeidenberg, said he will appeal Tao's remaining conviction.

“Dr. Tao is immensely relieved that Judge Robinson agreed that a sentence of time-served was appropriate,” Zeidenberg said. “We were also gratified to hear the judge say, once again, that neither the government nor KU was defrauded or harmed, and that Dr. Tao did all of the work required of him to the complete satisfaction of these entities.”

Tao served a week in prison after his arrest in 2018 and has worn an electronic monitoring while having his travel restricted since then. His attorneys said the case destroyed his reputation, his family’s financial stability and his distinguished career.

Tao declined to speak during the hearing or afterward as he gathered with supporters outside the federal courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas. But his wife, Hong Peng, said she was grateful for the support their family received during the lengthy case.

“This prosecution has destroyed Franklin's life,” she said. “He wants his reputation back. This has turned our lives upside down.”

Prosecutor Adam Berry said in court Wednesday that Tao's actions warranted a prison sentence because the institutions lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in research money due to his deception. He said a sentence also would provide a deterrent for other researchers who consider not being honest and transparent about their research activities.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Kansas declined to comment.

Tao no longer works for the University of Kansas, a school spokeswoman said Friday.

Robinson said Tao will not be confined to his home during his supervised release and will not have to wear an ankle monitor, noting that he had no prior criminal record and has not violated the terms of his confinement since his arrest. She did not impose a fine.

The case against Tao was part of the U.S. Justice Department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-china-asia-pacific-u-s-news-espionage-15bb5a431f8bdcdde54c3988b48607d4">China Initiative,</a>&nbsp;a program started in 2018 to crack down on efforts to transfer original ideas and intellectual property from U.S. universities to Chinese government institutions. The department ended the program amid public criticism and several failed prosecutions.

Gisela Perez Kusakawa, executive director of the Asian American Scholar Forum, said Tao's case raised concerns among Asian American researchers that they would be targeted, particularly in an era of increasing bias against them.

She said the disclosure form that Tao was convicted of filling out improperly is vague and that there should be a system to allow researchers to fix such mistakes, rather than subjecting them to federal prosecution.

“We want the public to know that Asian American scientists are contributing to this country,” Kusakawa said. “They are the very people this county needs right now for the research to continue to advance.”

Tao was born in China and moved to the U.S. in 2002. He earned his doctorate's degree from Princeton University and worked at the University of California-Berkeley and Notre Dame before August 2014, when he was hired as a tenured associate professor at the University of Kansas’ Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis. The center conducts research on sustainable technology to conserve natural resources and energy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574105486339.png" alt="Feng “Franklin” Tao-photo University of Kansas" />
 <figcaption>Feng “Franklin” Tao-photo University of Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARGARET STAFFORD&nbsp;KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A former researcher who was accused of hiding work he did in China while employed by the University of Kansas, was sentenced Wednesday to time served by a federal judge who said his action did not warrant a prison sentence.Feng “Franklin” Tao was originally&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-education-kansas-lawrence-university-of-kansas-cbbbb2cce47f22631a676e4e21a04beb">convicted</a>&nbsp;in April on four counts, including three counts of wire fraud. But U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson in September&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-kansas-university-of-276087faef2f22c12ad1e5b91aaa3709">threw out</a>&nbsp;the wire fraud convictions and let the false statement conviction stand.Tao did not disclose on a form he filled out for Kansas in 2019 that he was named to a Chinese talent program, the Changjiang Professorship. He traveled to China to set up a laboratory and recruit staff for Fuzhou University, while telling Kansas officials that he was in Germany.Federal prosecutors argued that Tao defrauded the University of Kansas, the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation by lying about work he was doing for Fuzhou University in China. The university and the federal agencies, which awarded Tao grants for research projects, contended his actions cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars.In announcing the sentence, Robinson said prosecutors had presented no evidence during the trial that Tao received any money for his work in China, which is required for a wire fraud conviction.She said when the trial started, she expected to hear evidence that Tao's deceptions caused financial loss and that he shared important research with Chinese officials at the expense of U.S. taxpayers and the three institutions.Rather, the evidence showed that Tao continued fulfilling his duties to the University of Kansas while in China by working 70-hour weeks and pushing his students at Kansas to do the same. And she noted he was doing fundamental research that is freely shared across the scientific community.“This is not an espionage case ... If it was, they presented absolutely no evidence that was going on," Robinson said. “Believe me, if that was what was going on, it would have been a much different sentence today.”Tao's attorney, Peter Zeidenberg, said he will appeal Tao's remaining conviction.“Dr. Tao is immensely relieved that Judge Robinson agreed that a sentence of time-served was appropriate,” Zeidenberg said. “We were also gratified to hear the judge say, once again, that neither the government nor KU was defrauded or harmed, and that Dr. Tao did all of the work required of him to the complete satisfaction of these entities.”Tao served a week in prison after his arrest in 2018 and has worn an electronic monitoring while having his travel restricted since then. His attorneys said the case destroyed his reputation, his family’s financial stability and his distinguished career.Tao declined to speak during the hearing or afterward as he gathered with supporters outside the federal courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas. But his wife, Hong Peng, said she was grateful for the support their family received during the lengthy case.“This prosecution has destroyed Franklin's life,” she said. “He wants his reputation back. This has turned our lives upside down.”Prosecutor Adam Berry said in court Wednesday that Tao's actions warranted a prison sentence because the institutions lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in research money due to his deception. He said a sentence also would provide a deterrent for other researchers who consider not being honest and transparent about their research activities.The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Kansas declined to comment.Tao no longer works for the University of Kansas, a school spokeswoman said Friday.Robinson said Tao will not be confined to his home during his supervised release and will not have to wear an ankle monitor, noting that he had no prior criminal record and has not violated the terms of his confinement since his arrest. She did not impose a fine.The case against Tao was part of the U.S. Justice Department’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-china-asia-pacific-u-s-news-espionage-15bb5a431f8bdcdde54c3988b48607d4">China Initiative,</a>&nbsp;a program started in 2018 to crack down on efforts to transfer original ideas and intellectual property from U.S. universities to Chinese government institutions. The department ended the program amid public criticism and several failed prosecutions.Gisela Perez Kusakawa, executive director of the Asian American Scholar Forum, said Tao's case raised concerns among Asian American researchers that they would be targeted, particularly in an era of increasing bias against them.She said the disclosure form that Tao was convicted of filling out improperly is vague and that there should be a system to allow researchers to fix such mistakes, rather than subjecting them to federal prosecution.“We want the public to know that Asian American scientists are contributing to this country,” Kusakawa said. “They are the very people this county needs right now for the research to continue to advance.”Tao was born in China and moved to the U.S. in 2002. He earned his doctorate's degree from Princeton University and worked at the University of California-Berkeley and Notre Dame before August 2014, when he was hired as a tenured associate professor at the University of Kansas’ Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis. The center conducts research on sustainable technology to conserve natural resources and energy.

Former researcher at KU sentenced in China-related case

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged arson fire in Manhattan.

Just after 2:30p.m. Tuesday, officers filed a report for arson in the 800 block of Pottawatomie Avenue in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.&nbsp; 

&nbsp;A 75-year-old woman reported a 28-year-old woman started a fire inside the victim's home.

When fire crews arrived, they found a small fire in the front room of the house, with smoke throughout the residence. Firefighters had the fire contained within 10 minutes, according to a media release from the Manhattan Fire Department.&nbsp;

The one-story single-family home was estimated to have sustained $10,000 in damages. There were no injuries.&nbsp; Police did not report an arrest Wednesday morning.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674051708017.jpeg" alt="Photo Manhattan Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo Manhattan Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged arson fire in Manhattan.Just after 2:30p.m. Tuesday, officers filed a report for arson in the 800 block of Pottawatomie Avenue in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.&nbsp; &nbsp;A 75-year-old woman reported a 28-year-old woman started a fire inside the victim's home.When fire crews arrived, they found a small fire in the front room of the house, with smoke throughout the residence. Firefighters had the fire contained within 10 minutes, according to a media release from the Manhattan Fire Department.&nbsp;The one-story single-family home was estimated to have sustained $10,000 in damages. There were no injuries.&nbsp; Police did not report an arrest Wednesday morning.

Police: Kansas house fire intentionally set

By MATT O'BRIEN Associated Press

Microsoft is cutting 10,000 workers, almost 5% of its workforce, 
joining other tech companies that have scaled back their pandemic-era 
expansions.

The company said in a regulatory filing Wednesday that
 the layoffs were a response to “macroeconomic conditions and changing 
customer priorities.”

The Redmond, Washington-based software giant
 said it will also be making changes to its hardware portfolio and 
consolidating its leased office locations.

Microsoft is cutting 
far fewer jobs than it had added during the COVID-19 pandemic as it 
responded to a boom in demand for its workplace software and cloud 
computing services with so many people working and studying from home.

“A big part of this is just overexuberance in hiring,” said Joshua White, a finance professor at Vanderbilt University.

Microsoft’s
 workforce expanded by about 36% in the two fiscal years following the 
emergence of the pandemic, growing from 163,000 workers at the end of 
June 2020, to 221,000 in June 2022.

The layoffs represent “less 
than 5 percent of our total employee base, with some notifications 
happening today,” CEO Satya Nadella said in an email to employees.

“While
 we are eliminating roles in some areas, we will continue to hire in key
 strategic areas,” Nadella said. He emphasized the importance of 
building a “new computer platform” using advances in artificial 
intelligence.

He said customers that were accelerating their 
spending on digital technology during the pandemic are now trying to 
“optimize their digital spend to do more with less.”

“We’re also 
seeing organizations in every industry and geography exercise caution as
 some parts of the world are in a recession and other parts are 
anticipating one,” Nadella wrote.

Other tech companies have also been <a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-san-francisco-marc-benioff-bbb2f3a09eafdfc7cda54a3b87e538ad">trimming jobs</a> amid concerns about an economic slowdown.

Amazon
 and business software maker Salesforce earlier this month announced 
major job cuts as they prune payrolls that rapidly expanded during the 
pandemic lockdown.

Amazon said that it will be cutting about 
18,000 positions. It’s the largest set of layoffs in the Seattle 
company’s history, although just a fraction of its 1.5 million global 
workforce.

Facebook parent Meta is laying off 11,000 people, about
 13% of its workforce. And Elon Musk, the new Twitter CEO, has slashed 
the company’s workforce.

Nadella made no direct mention of the 
layoffs on Wednesday when he put in an appearance at the World Economic 
Forum’s annual meeting happening this week in Davos, Switzerland.

When
 asked by the forum’s founder Klaus Schwab on what tech layoffs meant 
for the industry’s business model, Nadella said companies that boomed 
during the COVID-19 pandemic are now seeing “normalization” of that 
demand.

“Quite frankly, we in the tech industry will also have to 
get efficient, right?” Nadella said. “It’s not about everyone else doing
 more with less. We will have to do more with less. So we will have to 
show our own productivity gains with our own sort of technology.”

Microsoft
 didn't immediately respond to questions about where the layoffs and 
office closures would be concentrated. As of June, it had 122,000 
workers in the U.S. and 99,000 elsewhere.

White, the Vanderbilt 
professor, said all industries are looking to cut costs ahead of a 
possible recession but tech companies could be particularly sensitive to
 the rapid rise in interest rates, a tool that has been used 
aggressively in recent months by the Federal Reserve in its fight 
against inflation.

“This hits tech companies a little harder than 
it does industrials or consumer staples because a huge portion of 
Microsoft’s value is on projects with cash flows that won’t pay off for 
several years," he said.

Among the projects that have been 
attracting attention recently is Microsoft’s investment in its San 
Francisco startup partner OpenAI, maker of the writing tool ChatGPT and 
other AI systems that can generate readable text, images and computer 
code.

Microsoft, which owns the Xbox game business, also faces 
regulatory uncertainty in the U.S. and Europe delaying its planned $68.7
 billion takeover of video game company Activision Blizzard, which had 
about 9,800 employees as of a year ago.

By MATT O'BRIEN Associated PressMicrosoft is cutting 10,000 workers, almost 5% of its workforce, 
joining other tech companies that have scaled back their pandemic-era 
expansions.The company said in a regulatory filing Wednesday that
 the layoffs were a response to “macroeconomic conditions and changing 
customer priorities.”The Redmond, Washington-based software giant
 said it will also be making changes to its hardware portfolio and 
consolidating its leased office locations.Microsoft is cutting 
far fewer jobs than it had added during the COVID-19 pandemic as it 
responded to a boom in demand for its workplace software and cloud 
computing services with so many people working and studying from home.“A big part of this is just overexuberance in hiring,” said Joshua White, a finance professor at Vanderbilt University.Microsoft’s
 workforce expanded by about 36% in the two fiscal years following the 
emergence of the pandemic, growing from 163,000 workers at the end of 
June 2020, to 221,000 in June 2022.The layoffs represent “less 
than 5 percent of our total employee base, with some notifications 
happening today,” CEO Satya Nadella said in an email to employees.“While
 we are eliminating roles in some areas, we will continue to hire in key
 strategic areas,” Nadella said. He emphasized the importance of 
building a “new computer platform” using advances in artificial 
intelligence.He said customers that were accelerating their 
spending on digital technology during the pandemic are now trying to 
“optimize their digital spend to do more with less.”“We’re also 
seeing organizations in every industry and geography exercise caution as
 some parts of the world are in a recession and other parts are 
anticipating one,” Nadella wrote.Other tech companies have also been <a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-san-francisco-marc-benioff-bbb2f3a09eafdfc7cda54a3b87e538ad">trimming jobs</a> amid concerns about an economic slowdown.Amazon
 and business software maker Salesforce earlier this month announced 
major job cuts as they prune payrolls that rapidly expanded during the 
pandemic lockdown.Amazon said that it will be cutting about 
18,000 positions. It’s the largest set of layoffs in the Seattle 
company’s history, although just a fraction of its 1.5 million global 
workforce.Facebook parent Meta is laying off 11,000 people, about
 13% of its workforce. And Elon Musk, the new Twitter CEO, has slashed 
the company’s workforce.Nadella made no direct mention of the 
layoffs on Wednesday when he put in an appearance at the World Economic 
Forum’s annual meeting happening this week in Davos, Switzerland.When
 asked by the forum’s founder Klaus Schwab on what tech layoffs meant 
for the industry’s business model, Nadella said companies that boomed 
during the COVID-19 pandemic are now seeing “normalization” of that 
demand.“Quite frankly, we in the tech industry will also have to 
get efficient, right?” Nadella said. “It’s not about everyone else doing
 more with less. We will have to do more with less. So we will have to 
show our own productivity gains with our own sort of technology.”Microsoft
 didn't immediately respond to questions about where the layoffs and 
office closures would be concentrated. As of June, it had 122,000 
workers in the U.S. and 99,000 elsewhere.White, the Vanderbilt 
professor, said all industries are looking to cut costs ahead of a 
possible recession but tech companies could be particularly sensitive to
 the rapid rise in interest rates, a tool that has been used 
aggressively in recent months by the Federal Reserve in its fight 
against inflation.“This hits tech companies a little harder than 
it does industrials or consumer staples because a huge portion of 
Microsoft’s value is on projects with cash flows that won’t pay off for 
several years," he said.Among the projects that have been 
attracting attention recently is Microsoft’s investment in its San 
Francisco startup partner OpenAI, maker of the writing tool ChatGPT and 
other AI systems that can generate readable text, images and computer 
code.Microsoft, which owns the Xbox game business, also faces 
regulatory uncertainty in the U.S. and Europe delaying its planned $68.7
 billion takeover of video game company Activision Blizzard, which had 
about 9,800 employees as of a year ago.

Job cuts in tech sector spread, Microsoft lays off 10,000

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/18/kansas-law-enforcement-say-legislation-should-be-passed-on-fentanyl-mental-health-issues/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA
 — Kansas law enforcement officials have sounded the alarm about 
fentanyl and mental health crises across the state, saying fentanyl is 
now a greater threat than methamphetamines.

Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeffrey Easter said he is <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/03/kansas-inmates-wait-months-for-treatment-due-to-shortage-of-mental-health-hospital-beds/">still seeing a surplus of inmates suffering from mental illness,</a>
 waiting in jail for long periods of time in order to receive treatment.
 During a House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee meeting 
Tuesday, he urged lawmakers to find solutions.

Community hospitals and jails in 
western Kansas have had to pick up the slack, housing mentally unstable 
patients without state reimbursement because of shortages of mental 
health care workers and beds for patients.

Cases of people deemed a danger to 
themselves or others are reviewed by the district attorney’s office, and
 are held at the county jail until a hospital bed is ready.

Easter said he was having problems 
with a huge backlog of competency evaluations and a long waiting list 
for people at the jail waiting for mental health treatment. Easter said 
the issue was an impediment to law enforcement and personnel 
recruitment. Sedgwick County Jail is currently operating with a 
121-person worker shortage.

He mentioned one jail inmate with 
mental health issues who is paralyzed from the waist down and has a 
history of self-harm. The inmate has been sent to the hospital more than
 15 times for self-inflicted wounds.

After going to a district attorney 
about the situation, a judge ordered Larned State Hospital to evaluate 
him. After two weeks, he was sent back to the jail. The inmate needs his
 legs amputated, but is opposed to the procedure.

“We are left with the decision: Do we let this person rot in jail? Because basically he’s rotting,” Easter said.

Easter also warned of a rise in 
fentanyl-related deaths, saying the state needed to do more education on
 the dangers of fentanyl.

“We have found fentanyl in marijuana,
 we found fentanyl in cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, all of those 
other drugs, we’re finding fentanyl in. It’s being laced in everything,”
 Easter said.

During the meeting, Bel Aire Police 
Chief Darrell Atteberry said more needed to be done about repeat 
juvenile offenders. He said he has seen more crimes being committed by 
younger people.

“Where it used to be 18-year-olds 
committing a lot of crimes, now we’ve got 14- and 15-year-olds 
committing the same crimes that those older kids were committing 
before,” Atteberry said.

Atteberry said a more thorough public
 safety risk assessment should be done on repeat offenders to keep them 
and others their age safe.

“We would like that assessment to be 
strengthened so that we can maybe keep those juveniles in custody or out
 of the environment where they were led to do those criminal acts in the
 first place,” Atteberry said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674054297159.png" alt="Bel Aire Police Department Chief Darrell Atteberry says during a committee hearing Tuesday that repeat juvenile offenders should be assessed more carefully. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Bel Aire Police Department Chief Darrell Atteberry says during a committee hearing Tuesday that repeat juvenile offenders should be assessed more carefully. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/18/kansas-law-enforcement-say-legislation-should-be-passed-on-fentanyl-mental-health-issues/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA
 — Kansas law enforcement officials have sounded the alarm about 
fentanyl and mental health crises across the state, saying fentanyl is 
now a greater threat than methamphetamines.Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeffrey Easter said he is <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/03/kansas-inmates-wait-months-for-treatment-due-to-shortage-of-mental-health-hospital-beds/">still seeing a surplus of inmates suffering from mental illness,</a>
 waiting in jail for long periods of time in order to receive treatment.
 During a House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee meeting 
Tuesday, he urged lawmakers to find solutions.Community hospitals and jails in 
western Kansas have had to pick up the slack, housing mentally unstable 
patients without state reimbursement because of shortages of mental 
health care workers and beds for patients.Cases of people deemed a danger to 
themselves or others are reviewed by the district attorney’s office, and
 are held at the county jail until a hospital bed is ready.Easter said he was having problems 
with a huge backlog of competency evaluations and a long waiting list 
for people at the jail waiting for mental health treatment. Easter said 
the issue was an impediment to law enforcement and personnel 
recruitment. Sedgwick County Jail is currently operating with a 
121-person worker shortage.He mentioned one jail inmate with 
mental health issues who is paralyzed from the waist down and has a 
history of self-harm. The inmate has been sent to the hospital more than
 15 times for self-inflicted wounds.After going to a district attorney 
about the situation, a judge ordered Larned State Hospital to evaluate 
him. After two weeks, he was sent back to the jail. The inmate needs his
 legs amputated, but is opposed to the procedure.“We are left with the decision: Do we let this person rot in jail? Because basically he’s rotting,” Easter said.Easter also warned of a rise in 
fentanyl-related deaths, saying the state needed to do more education on
 the dangers of fentanyl.“We have found fentanyl in marijuana,
 we found fentanyl in cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, all of those 
other drugs, we’re finding fentanyl in. It’s being laced in everything,”
 Easter said.During the meeting, Bel Aire Police 
Chief Darrell Atteberry said more needed to be done about repeat 
juvenile offenders. He said he has seen more crimes being committed by 
younger people.“Where it used to be 18-year-olds 
committing a lot of crimes, now we’ve got 14- and 15-year-olds 
committing the same crimes that those older kids were committing 
before,” Atteberry said.Atteberry said a more thorough public
 safety risk assessment should be done on repeat offenders to keep them 
and others their age safe.“We would like that assessment to be 
strengthened so that we can maybe keep those juveniles in custody or out
 of the environment where they were led to do those criminal acts in the
 first place,” Atteberry said.

Kansas cops make plea for fentanyl, mental health legislation

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man captured after the abduction of a 6-year-old Kansas girl made an appearance in a Wichita courtroom Tuesday.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20079602">Benjamin Brady, 34,</a> was moved from the Kay County Oklahoma Jail to Sedgwick County over the weekend. He was charged with kidnapping and theft, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just before 7p.m. p.m. Nov. 20, police responded to the 2300 block of N. Amidon in Wichita for an auto theft, kidnapping in a liquor store parking lot, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

A 35-year-old man reported that while he had gone into the store, an unknown man stole his&nbsp;gold/tan Lexus Rx330  with his 6-year-old daughter still inside.

Officers immediately began checking the area for the vehicle and the juvenile and&nbsp; utilized Flock cameras and other License Plate Reader (LPR) technology and learned that the vehicle had entered the Kansas Turnpike headed South at approximately 7:02 p.m.

Neighboring counties, the Kansas Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the Tulsa Police Department were notified of the circumstances and the vehicle's last known location. 

At 8 p.m., Troopers with Oklahoma Highway Patrol were able to stop the car approximately 22 miles south of the Kansas/Oklahoma state line and recover the girl.

The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Benjamin Brady, was taken into custody by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and booked into the Kay County, Oklahoma jail.

Brady remains jailed in Sedgwick County on a $150,000 bond and is due back in court on Jan. 30, according to the district attorney's office.

On November 12, police in Wichita arrested Brady for alleged DUI, possession of stolen property and transporting an open container, according to the Sedgwick County arrest report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669565691218.png" alt="On November 12, police in Wichita arrested Brady for alleged DUI, possession of stolen property and transporting an open container, according to the Sedgwick County arrest report.Brady -photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>On November 12, police in Wichita arrested Brady for alleged DUI, possession of stolen property and transporting an open container, according to the Sedgwick County arrest report.Brady -photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man captured after the abduction of a 6-year-old Kansas girl made an appearance in a Wichita courtroom Tuesday.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20079602">Benjamin Brady, 34,</a> was moved from the Kay County Oklahoma Jail to Sedgwick County over the weekend. He was charged with kidnapping and theft, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just before 7p.m. p.m. Nov. 20, police responded to the 2300 block of N. Amidon in Wichita for an auto theft, kidnapping in a liquor store parking lot, according to Officer Trevor Macy.A 35-year-old man reported that while he had gone into the store, an unknown man stole his&nbsp;gold/tan Lexus Rx330 with his 6-year-old daughter still inside.Officers immediately began checking the area for the vehicle and the juvenile and&nbsp; utilized Flock cameras and other License Plate Reader (LPR) technology and learned that the vehicle had entered the Kansas Turnpike headed South at approximately 7:02 p.m.Neighboring counties, the Kansas Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the Tulsa Police Department were notified of the circumstances and the vehicle's last known location. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669067284425.png" alt="Since his Oklahoma arrest, Brady&nbsp; was held on requested charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, abduction of individual under age 15 and cross ing state line, driving under suspended license, failure to stop for law enforcement and attempt to elude law enforcement, according to online jail records-photo Kay County Oklahoma&nbsp; &nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Since his Oklahoma arrest, Brady&nbsp; was held on requested charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, abduction of individual under age 15 and cross ing state line, driving under suspended license, failure to stop for law enforcement and attempt to elude law enforcement, according to online jail records-photo Kay County Oklahoma&nbsp; &nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>At 8 p.m., Troopers with Oklahoma Highway Patrol were able to stop the car approximately 22 miles south of the Kansas/Oklahoma state line and recover the girl.The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Benjamin Brady, was taken into custody by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and booked into the Kay County, Oklahoma jail.Brady remains jailed in Sedgwick County on a $150,000 bond and is due back in court on Jan. 30, according to the district attorney's office.On November 12, police in Wichita arrested Brady for alleged DUI, possession of stolen property and transporting an open container, according to the Sedgwick County arrest report.

Suspect in Kan. girl's abduction moved from Oklahoma jail

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;1,937 new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Jan. 11 to Jan. 18, for a total of&nbsp; 923,874 cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;The state reported 2,339 cases the previous week.

On Wednesday, th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported</a>&nbsp;69 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on Jan. 11, for a total of 9,903.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.

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

Kansas is providing fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.&nbsp;The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

The state continues to support access to free COVID-19 testing, works to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.”

The health department updates data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;1,937 new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Jan. 11 to Jan. 18, for a total of&nbsp; 923,874 cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;The state reported 2,339 cases the previous week.On Wednesday, th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported</a>&nbsp;69 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on Jan. 11, for a total of 9,903.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674063881132.png" alt="Wednesday January 18, 2023 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday January 18, 2023 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.Kansas is providing fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.&nbsp;The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.The state continues to support access to free COVID-19 testing, works to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.”The health department updates data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

KDHE reports drop in COVID cases; 69 more deaths

RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged theft by deception and unlawful computer acts in Manhattan.

On Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://championteamwear.com/">Champion Teamwear,</a>&nbsp;520 McCall Road in Manhattan,&nbsp; reported unknown suspects fraudulently claimed to be employees of New York Presbyterian Hospital, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. The suspects ordered over $100,000 in merchandise that was shipped to them but never paid for.

&nbsp;Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=353#">Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers</a>. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged theft by deception and unlawful computer acts in Manhattan.On Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://championteamwear.com/">Champion Teamwear,</a>&nbsp;520 McCall Road in Manhattan,&nbsp; reported unknown suspects fraudulently claimed to be employees of New York Presbyterian Hospital, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. The suspects ordered over $100,000 in merchandise that was shipped to them but never paid for.&nbsp;Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=353#">Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers</a>. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Manhattan business loses $100,000 in theft by deception

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/17/kansas-senate-plans-to-take-stand-on-federal-protections-for-lesser-prairie-chicken/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA
 — The Kansas Senate will vote on whether or not to register disapproval
 of federal protections for the lesser prairie chicken this week as part
 of a ongoing battle to strip protections from the bird.

Sen. Dan Kerschen, a Garden Plain 
Republican, said the bird’s protected status was a burden on Kansas 
farmers during a Tuesday meeting of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, which he chairs. Kerschen
 introduced a Senate concurrent resolution disapproving the designation 
of the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species and formally 
supporting efforts to remove the protected status of the bird.

Kerschen said he wanted to see all 
the facts in the case, saying recent weather, such as droughts, may have
 had an negative impact on the lesser prairie chicken, and that Kansans 
had proven able to farm and raise cattle around the birds for years.

“You’ve got to keep in mind to 
protect farmers’ interests, oil producers, those folks, ranchers who are
 grazing their cattle on that land,” Kerschen said. “All of the sudden, 
someone comes and tells them how much you can do, and where your cattle 
can be, those kinds of things, interfering with the production part of 
it.”

The lesser prairie chicken, which is 
known for a unique and colorful spring mating dance, is best suited for 
living in large areas of native grasslands. Lawmakers have said 
preserving the birds’ environments would threaten the livelihoods of 
farmers, ranchers and energy producers.

The birds have been the center of 
debate for years, with Kansas Republicans and environmental activists 
clashing on what, if any, protections were needed for the birds. In 
2019, three conservation groups<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/trio-of-kansas-gop-lawmakers-seek-more-time-to-critique-prairie-chicken-listing/"> sued the federal government </a>to force action on the issue.

With 90% of their original habitat 
lost over the years, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, 
there’s been a five-year decline in the lesser prairie chicken 
population. Few of the birds have been seen in their native Kansas, 
Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas environments. In November, federal 
wildlife officials registered the lesser prairie chicken <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/17/federal-wildlife-officials-list-lesser-prairie-chicken-as-threatened-in-kansas/">as threatened in Kansas</a> and endangered in their habitat in the southwest U.S.

Since the listing, Republican congressmen have been fighting protections, most recently through a <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/28/kansas-congressmen-introduce-latest-attempt-to-overturn-protected-status-of-lesser-prairie-chicken/">Congressional Review Act</a>. The act is used
 to block rules issued by federal agencies. Under the act, an agency has
 to submit a report to Congress on its rule. After receiving the report,
 Congress can submit and act on a joint resolution of disapproval.

Ten Republican congressmen from 
Oklahoma and Kansas registered their disapproval of the listing through 
the act, trying to overturn the ruling on the grounds that it would be 
bad for the agriculture and oil and gas industries.

Among the legislation supporters were
 Kansas Sens. Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran, along with Reps. Ron 
Estes, Jake LaTurner and Tracey Mann. <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-congressman-introduces-bill-to-block-federal-listing-of-lesser-prairie-chicken/">Estes also introduced a bill</a>
 that would prohibit the U.S. Interior Department from imposing 
restraints on land use based on the status of the lesser prairie 
chicken.

Kerschen said he supported the lawmakers’ efforts, saying livestock shouldn’t be displaced in favor of the birds.

“Cattle are a sensitive-natured 
animal too. That’s why we take care of them,” Kerschen said. “They can’t
 just roam around free. That’s just an example.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673975132656.png" alt="Sen. Dan Kerschen, explaining his disapproval of federal protections for the lesser prairie chicken, says farmers need to be considered. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Dan Kerschen, explaining his disapproval of federal protections for the lesser prairie chicken, says farmers need to be considered. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/17/kansas-senate-plans-to-take-stand-on-federal-protections-for-lesser-prairie-chicken/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA
 — The Kansas Senate will vote on whether or not to register disapproval
 of federal protections for the lesser prairie chicken this week as part
 of a ongoing battle to strip protections from the bird.Sen. Dan Kerschen, a Garden Plain 
Republican, said the bird’s protected status was a burden on Kansas 
farmers during a Tuesday meeting of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, which he chairs. Kerschen
 introduced a Senate concurrent resolution disapproving the designation 
of the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species and formally 
supporting efforts to remove the protected status of the bird.Kerschen said he wanted to see all 
the facts in the case, saying recent weather, such as droughts, may have
 had an negative impact on the lesser prairie chicken, and that Kansans 
had proven able to farm and raise cattle around the birds for years.“You’ve got to keep in mind to 
protect farmers’ interests, oil producers, those folks, ranchers who are
 grazing their cattle on that land,” Kerschen said. “All of the sudden, 
someone comes and tells them how much you can do, and where your cattle 
can be, those kinds of things, interfering with the production part of 
it.”The lesser prairie chicken, which is 
known for a unique and colorful spring mating dance, is best suited for 
living in large areas of native grasslands. Lawmakers have said 
preserving the birds’ environments would threaten the livelihoods of 
farmers, ranchers and energy producers.The birds have been the center of 
debate for years, with Kansas Republicans and environmental activists 
clashing on what, if any, protections were needed for the birds. In 
2019, three conservation groups<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/trio-of-kansas-gop-lawmakers-seek-more-time-to-critique-prairie-chicken-listing/"> sued the federal government </a>to force action on the issue.With 90% of their original habitat 
lost over the years, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, 
there’s been a five-year decline in the lesser prairie chicken 
population. Few of the birds have been seen in their native Kansas, 
Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas environments. In November, federal 
wildlife officials registered the lesser prairie chicken <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/17/federal-wildlife-officials-list-lesser-prairie-chicken-as-threatened-in-kansas/">as threatened in Kansas</a> and endangered in their habitat in the southwest U.S.Since the listing, Republican congressmen have been fighting protections, most recently through a <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/12/28/kansas-congressmen-introduce-latest-attempt-to-overturn-protected-status-of-lesser-prairie-chicken/">Congressional Review Act</a>. The act is used
 to block rules issued by federal agencies. Under the act, an agency has
 to submit a report to Congress on its rule. After receiving the report,
 Congress can submit and act on a joint resolution of disapproval.Ten Republican congressmen from 
Oklahoma and Kansas registered their disapproval of the listing through 
the act, trying to overturn the ruling on the grounds that it would be 
bad for the agriculture and oil and gas industries.Among the legislation supporters were
 Kansas Sens. Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran, along with Reps. Ron 
Estes, Jake LaTurner and Tracey Mann. <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-congressman-introduces-bill-to-block-federal-listing-of-lesser-prairie-chicken/">Estes also introduced a bill</a>
 that would prohibit the U.S. Interior Department from imposing 
restraints on land use based on the status of the lesser prairie 
chicken.Kerschen said he supported the lawmakers’ efforts, saying livestock shouldn’t be displaced in favor of the birds.“Cattle are a sensitive-natured 
animal too. That’s why we take care of them,” Kerschen said. “They can’t
 just roam around free. That’s just an example.”

Kansas Senate ready to enter the lesser prairie chicken fray

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Officials with the city of Derby are investigating a computer network disruption that started last weekend and have contacted federal law enforcement, according to the city website.

On Monday, the city reported utility bills would go out late. "Due dates will be adjusted accordingly and bills with a Jan. 17 due date will not be charged late fees. In addition, the city's outgoing and incoming email is not available.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The City’s administrative and IT staff are working with third-party computer specialists to investigate the the computer disruption. They also are cooperating with law enforcement as the investigation continues to determine what impact this incident may have had on information stored on the city computer network systems.&nbsp;

The city advised residents who need to send an email to the city to use&nbsp;<a href="mailto:derbykscommunications@gmail.com">derbykscommunications@gmail.com</a>

All public services in the City (including core services such as police and fire response and water/wastewater utilities) remain operational.&nbsp;

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Officials with the city of Derby are investigating a computer network disruption that started last weekend and have contacted federal law enforcement, according to the city website.On Monday, the city reported utility bills would go out late. "Due dates will be adjusted accordingly and bills with a Jan. 17 due date will not be charged late fees. In addition, the city's outgoing and incoming email is not available.&nbsp;&nbsp;The City’s administrative and IT staff are working with third-party computer specialists to investigate the the computer disruption. They also are cooperating with law enforcement as the investigation continues to determine what impact this incident may have had on information stored on the city computer network systems.&nbsp;The city advised residents who need to send an email to the city to use&nbsp;<a href="mailto:derbykscommunications@gmail.com">derbykscommunications@gmail.com</a>All public services in the City (including core services such as police and fire response and water/wastewater utilities) remain operational.&nbsp;

Kan. community calls feds after computer network disruption

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man charged with threatening to kill a Kansas congressman is harmless, believing he has a special relationship with God and his weapons are “meteors and plagues,” not “knives and guns,” a defense attorney argued Tuesday during a federal criminal trial.

The trial for Chase Neill, 32, began amid what authorities says is a sharp rise in threats to the nation's lawmakers and their families. Prosecutors say Neill became fixated on U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-mental-kansas-topeka-lawrence-537e4ab84e3c459053d19f12352981bd">threatened to kill him</a>&nbsp;in a June 5 voicemail left with the Republican congressman's Topeka office.

Prosecutors argue that Neill was upset with LaTurner, meant the June message as a death threat and prompted LaTurner and his staff to beef up security at his Topeka office. But defense attorneys argued that Neill also threatened “everyone in the universe” in the same call, and his concerns included witchcraft, unidentified flying objects and Neill's claim that a host of U.S. government agencies were monitoring him.

Kirk Redmond, a federal public defender representing Neill, told jurors in his opening statement that authorities in Neill's northeastern Kansas hometown of Lawrence concluded after the June call that he was harmless and did not need to be arrested or sent to a mental hospital. Redmond said Neill “never went anywhere near the congressman” because he believes he can “speak a word and it happens.”

“His weapons aren't knives and guns,” Redmond said. “His weapons are meteors and plagues.”

Members of Congress have faced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-san-francisco-nancy-pelosi-congress-government-and-politics-b8a3fb8b3e6f491fcfb16e155b877427">a sharp rise in threats</a>&nbsp;in the two years since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In October, an intruder&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paul-pelosi-assaulted-156ece77186eb11b97260af3c5122f67">attacked and severely beat</a>&nbsp;former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer in their San Francisco home.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-education-coronavirus-pandemic-school-boards-35db5c9eec87b85ca8eb95a64c2f6dd7">Local school board members</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-new-mexico-donald-trump-presidential-9356ff48f081250aa54040cbd7cf1cc3">election workers</a>&nbsp;across the U.S. also have endured harassment, intimidation and threats of violence. Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Monday arrested a former Republican candidate for a state House seat in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-state-government-crime-albuquerque-shootings-fbed4efadff3bc7469f83a01dd888e63">a series of shootings</a>&nbsp;targeting the homes or offices of elected Democratic officials, though none were injured.

LaTurner was a Kansas state senator and state treasurer before winning his U.S. House seat in 2020. Until the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature redrew political boundaries last year, LaTurner’s eastern Kansas district included Lawrence, home to the main University of Kansas campus, which is among the state’s most liberal communities.

In Neill's trial, after one of LaTurner's staffers testified as the first witness, Neill said he wants to represent himself. He had previously made that request through his attorneys Friday but withdrew it in court Tuesday morning before his jury was selected.

U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter ended the day early so that Neill could think more about his request overnight and told him, “I think it is an unwise decision.”

Neill said his attorneys weren't accurately portraying his beliefs. He said he didn't represent himself as God but conveyed messages from God using “an Old Testament perspective,” like prophets who spoke for God in the first person. A pretrial report on Neill said he saw himself as “the Messiah.”

When the first witness said Neill had talked about UFOs in a call in May, Neill interrupted by saying, “I think the UFOs made national headlines.”

He added, “Just so I don't look crazy in the courtroom.”

In court Tuesday, Neill wore khaki pants, a dress shirt and a navy blue jacket without a tie. He had a full beard. His ankles remained chained throughout the trial.

Teeter concluded during a hearing last month that "a preponderance of the evidence” showed Neill was mentally competent to stand trial. The official notes from the hearing showed Teeter relied on a psychological evaluation of Neill, but that document is sealed and closed to the public.

In a separate order in August, a U.S. magistrate judge who refused to released Neill from custody said in that order that Neill suffered a head injury four or five years ago “characterized as a head fracture.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Skip Jacobs played part of the June call during his opening statement. Jurors heard Neill identify himself as “the Messiah” and “the Son of Man,” a common description of Jesus in the New Testament of the Bible.

"I am saying I will kill you, but the insurance will say it's an act of God,” Neill said in the call.

The call also included a threat against all members of Congress.

Jacobs told jurors that Topeka police started a patrol around LaTurner's home. His staffer testified that in May, the Topeka office remained locked when only one staffer was present and that after the June call, it remained locked even during business hours, and cameras were installed.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A jury was seated Tuesday in a federal criminal trial for a man prosecutors say became fixated on a Kansas congressman and threatened to kill him, a case that comes amid what authorities say is a sharp rise in treats to the nation's lawmakers and their families.

Prosecutors say Chase Neill, 32,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-mental-kansas-topeka-lawrence-537e4ab84e3c459053d19f12352981bd">threatened to kill U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner</a>&nbsp;in a June 5 voicemail message left at the Republican congressman's office, then continued to make threatening calls the following day. In one message, presiding U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter said in court Tuesday, he told LaTurner that he would “die by the hand of God.”

The selection of 12 jurors and two alternates took about two hours in the morning after Neill withdrew a request to act as his own attorney. His court-appointed public defenders notified Teeter of that request Friday and told her they would refuse to work with him in a “hybrid" defense. After a private conference, Teeter told Neill from the bench that she believed such an arrangement would be “untenable.”

After Neill withdrew his request, Teeter told him, “For whatever it's worth, I think that's a very wise decision.”

Neill’s trial in U.S. District Court on one count of threatening a public official was scheduled through Friday. It came weeks after Teeter concluded that evidence of mental illness doesn’t mean Neill can’t help his attorney or follow what happens in court.

Before jury selection, Teeter confirmed with prosecutors and Neill’s attorneys that no plea bargains had been offered or sought.

Neill told her, without explaining further, “I believe there were arguable grounds for immunity, but that’s fine.”

In court, Neill wore khaki pants, a dress shirt and a navy blue jacket without a tie. He had a full beard.

A pretrial report said Neill believes he is “the Messiah." Prosecutors have said in court documents that Neill believes he was “obligated by God” to warn “certain public figures” and detail the results of not heeding his warnings.

A magistrate who ordered Neill to remain in custody in June 2022 said he also had threatened other members of Congress. The others have not been named and Neill is charged only with threatening LaTurner.