MIAMI COUNTY, Kan. —As the hunting season begins, Kansas game wardens hope everyone enjoys time hunting waterfowl and reminded responsible hunters that, when hunting on Kansas Public Lands, spent shotgun shells are considered waste materials that should be collected and carried out with you.

The photo only shows a small portion of the spent shells collected last week in a cleanup at Hillsdale WFA by KDWP public lands' staff. 

"We hope you will continue to work with us to maintain the quality of Kansas' public lands for this and future generations."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663238931740.png" alt="Photo Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks Game Wardens" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks Game Wardens</figcaption>
 </figure>MIAMI COUNTY, Kan. —As the hunting season begins, Kansas game wardens hope everyone enjoys time hunting waterfowl and reminded responsible hunters that, when hunting on Kansas Public Lands, spent shotgun shells are considered waste materials that should be collected and carried out with you.The photo only shows a small portion of the spent shells collected last week in a cleanup at Hillsdale WFA by KDWP public lands' staff. "We hope you will continue to work with us to maintain the quality of Kansas' public lands for this and future generations."

Kan. Game Wardens remind hunters to clean up spent shotgun shells

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/14/audit-reveals-two-thirds-of-48-5-million-in-broadband-aid-allocated-to-southern-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Nearly two-thirds of 
$48.5 million in COVID-19 funding earmarked for expansion of broadband 
services to Kansas homes and businesses was invested in upgrading 
internet connectivity in the southern half of the state, an audit report
 said Wednesday.

The Kansas Legislature’s auditing arm told a joint House and Senate 
committee the three southern regions of the state absorbed 35 of 66 
grants or $30.4 million approved by Gov. Laura Kelly and legislators on 
the State Finance Council. The four northern regions took on the balance
 of the projects budgeted at $18.1 million.

Overall, auditors said, the state didn’t find a suitable recipient 
for $1.5 million available for broadband improvements in unserved or 
underserved locations. State evaluators rejected 16 applications.

Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican in the southeast region that 
received broadband grants of $5.9 million, said she was concerned some 
internet service providers may not have been informed COVID-19 relief 
cash was left on the table.

“I’m not sure we filled the holes or the gaps, looking at this map of
 where the money was distributed,” said Tyson, who questioned the 
state’s project vetting process. “It seems like a very poor system to 
decide who gets what money.”

Auditor Sam Dodds, who presented the report to the legislative audit 
committee, said the analysis “did not identify any meaningful 
differences in the demographics between applicants and award 
recipients.”

Applications for grants were submitted to the Kansas Department of 
Commerce. Gov. Laura Kelly set up a task force known as SPARK, or 
Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas, to help distribute the 
federal relief funding. The task force made recommendations to the 
governor, but grants were formally approved by the bipartisan State 
Finance Council that includes House and Senate leaders.

The goal of the broadband initiative was to support remote education,
 health care and quality of life applications related to a pandemic that
 has contributed to the death of 9,027 Kansans since March 2020. All 
expenditures related to the broadband expansion projects had to be 
completed by Dec. 31, 2021.

Grants went to 39 companies, cities, counties, nonprofit 
organizations or nongovernmental entities. Eleven received more than one
 grant. More than half were for fiber projects, one-third for mobile 
wireless systems and the remainder for hybrid applications. The median 
grant award was $412,000.

David Toland, secretary of the state Department of Commerce, said the
 the program enabled construction of 600 miles of fiber infrastructure 
in the state. It led to 55,000 new connections to homes, businesses and 
community entities, he said.

In addition, the secretary said the funding added 200 towers for 
fixed and mobile wireless services in 175 cities and 75 counties.

“These connections, miles of fiber infrastructure and services to 
cities and counties across the state provided broadband access during a 
time when it was needed the most,” Toland said.

Here is the region-by-region breakdown: south central, 17 projects, 
$14 million; southwest, five projects, $11.1 million; northeast, 17 
projects, $8.8 million; southeast, 12 projects, $5.3 million; east 
central, four projects, $5.2 million; north central, eight projects, 
$570,000; northwest, two projects, $312,000. In addition, the 
Legislative Division of Post Audit reported a”statewide” category 
accounted for $3 million in funding.

Overall, IdeaTek Telcom received the largest amount of funding at 
$14.1 million. It was scattered among broadband upgrades in more than 30
 communities.

Other substantial recipients: University of Kansas Health System, $3 
million; Kansas Fiber Network, $2.3 million; RG Fiber, $2.2 million; 
Rainbow Communications, $2 million; South Central Wireless, $2 million; 
Finney County, $1.8 million; TC Wireless, $1.7 million; City of Chanute,
 $1.6 million; Cox Communications, $1.3 million; Nextlink Internet, $1.3
 million; Twin Valley Communications, $1.3 million; and Butler Rural 
Electric Cooperative, $1.2 million.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663179778127.png" alt="Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, speaks with Legislative auditor Sam Dodds following his presentation Wednesday at the Capitol of a report on allocation of $48.5 million in federal COVID-19 aid. The money went to 66 broadband projects across the state. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, speaks with Legislative auditor Sam Dodds following his presentation Wednesday at the Capitol of a report on allocation of $48.5 million in federal COVID-19 aid. The money went to 66 broadband projects across the state. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/14/audit-reveals-two-thirds-of-48-5-million-in-broadband-aid-allocated-to-southern-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Nearly two-thirds of 
$48.5 million in COVID-19 funding earmarked for expansion of broadband 
services to Kansas homes and businesses was invested in upgrading 
internet connectivity in the southern half of the state, an audit report
 said Wednesday.The Kansas Legislature’s auditing arm told a joint House and Senate 
committee the three southern regions of the state absorbed 35 of 66 
grants or $30.4 million approved by Gov. Laura Kelly and legislators on 
the State Finance Council. The four northern regions took on the balance
 of the projects budgeted at $18.1 million.Overall, auditors said, the state didn’t find a suitable recipient 
for $1.5 million available for broadband improvements in unserved or 
underserved locations. State evaluators rejected 16 applications.Sen. Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican in the southeast region that 
received broadband grants of $5.9 million, said she was concerned some 
internet service providers may not have been informed COVID-19 relief 
cash was left on the table.“I’m not sure we filled the holes or the gaps, looking at this map of
 where the money was distributed,” said Tyson, who questioned the 
state’s project vetting process. “It seems like a very poor system to 
decide who gets what money.”Auditor Sam Dodds, who presented the report to the legislative audit 
committee, said the analysis “did not identify any meaningful 
differences in the demographics between applicants and award 
recipients.”Applications for grants were submitted to the Kansas Department of 
Commerce. Gov. Laura Kelly set up a task force known as SPARK, or 
Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas, to help distribute the 
federal relief funding. The task force made recommendations to the 
governor, but grants were formally approved by the bipartisan State 
Finance Council that includes House and Senate leaders.The goal of the broadband initiative was to support remote education,
 health care and quality of life applications related to a pandemic that
 has contributed to the death of 9,027 Kansans since March 2020. All 
expenditures related to the broadband expansion projects had to be 
completed by Dec. 31, 2021.Grants went to 39 companies, cities, counties, nonprofit 
organizations or nongovernmental entities. Eleven received more than one
 grant. More than half were for fiber projects, one-third for mobile 
wireless systems and the remainder for hybrid applications. The median 
grant award was $412,000.David Toland, secretary of the state Department of Commerce, said the
 the program enabled construction of 600 miles of fiber infrastructure 
in the state. It led to 55,000 new connections to homes, businesses and 
community entities, he said.In addition, the secretary said the funding added 200 towers for 
fixed and mobile wireless services in 175 cities and 75 counties.“These connections, miles of fiber infrastructure and services to 
cities and counties across the state provided broadband access during a 
time when it was needed the most,” Toland said.Here is the region-by-region breakdown: south central, 17 projects, 
$14 million; southwest, five projects, $11.1 million; northeast, 17 
projects, $8.8 million; southeast, 12 projects, $5.3 million; east 
central, four projects, $5.2 million; north central, eight projects, 
$570,000; northwest, two projects, $312,000. In addition, the 
Legislative Division of Post Audit reported a”statewide” category 
accounted for $3 million in funding.Overall, IdeaTek Telcom received the largest amount of funding at 
$14.1 million. It was scattered among broadband upgrades in more than 30
 communities.Other substantial recipients: University of Kansas Health System, $3 
million; Kansas Fiber Network, $2.3 million; RG Fiber, $2.2 million; 
Rainbow Communications, $2 million; South Central Wireless, $2 million; 
Finney County, $1.8 million; TC Wireless, $1.7 million; City of Chanute,
 $1.6 million; Cox Communications, $1.3 million; Nextlink Internet, $1.3
 million; Twin Valley Communications, $1.3 million; and Butler Rural 
Electric Cooperative, $1.2 million.

Audit: Two-thirds of $48.5M in broadband aid sent to southern Kansas

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have made an arrest.

Just after noon on Sept. 5, police investigated a burglary of a vehicle that was parked in the 500 block Unity in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp;

An investigation led to the arrest on Tuesday of 28-year-old Kattibrie D. Lynch of Atchison on a District Court warrant for burglary of a vehicle and theft. She is being held without bond, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663162815583.png" alt="Lynch-photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Lynch-photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have made an arrest.Just after noon on Sept. 5, police investigated a burglary of a vehicle that was parked in the 500 block Unity in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.&nbsp;The suspect took cash from the vehicle. An investigation led to the arrest on Tuesday of 28-year-old Kattibrie D. Lynch of Atchison on a District Court warrant for burglary of a vehicle and theft. She is being held without bond, according to online jail records.

Kansas woman jailed for alleged burglary

WASHINGTON—&nbsp;On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Improving <a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/marshall-legislation-to-put-patients-over-paperwork/">Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act</a> introduced by U.S. Senators Roger Marshall,&nbsp;Krysten Sinema (D-AZ), John Thune (R-SD) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH)

This bipartisan legislation would improve timely access to quality care for seniors under Medicare Advantage. Specifically, the bill would modernize the way Medicare Advantage plans and health care providers use prior authorization.

This legislation addresses the number one administrative issue for physicians today, and will make the delivery of health care more patient and doctor friendly. Since its introduction,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/over-500-advocacy-groups-endorse-seniors-health-care-legislation-authored-by-sens-marshall-sinema-thune-and-brown/" target="_blank">over 500 organizations</a>&nbsp;that represent patients, physicians, hospitals, and other key stakeholders in the health care industry have officially endorsed the legislation, according to a statement from Marshall's office.

“For nearly four years, my colleagues and I have worked tirelessly on this bipartisan, bicameral legislation to modernize Medicare Advantage to better serve America’s seniors,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall. 

“This is the most supported health care bill in the entire Congress both in the number of cosponsors and the weight of more than 500 national and state endorsing organizations. The support underscores our legislation’s significance to patients, health care providers, and innovators in medicine. 

Today marks an important step forward, but our work is not finished. I urge Senate leadership to work with me in moving the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act to the President’s desk.”

“The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act will make it easier for seniors to get the care they need by cutting unnecessary red tape in the health care system. We urge the Senate to quickly take up this legislation and get it to President Biden’s desk.”

WASHINGTON—&nbsp;On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Improving <a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/marshall-legislation-to-put-patients-over-paperwork/">Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act</a> introduced by U.S. Senators Roger Marshall,&nbsp;Krysten Sinema (D-AZ), John Thune (R-SD) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) This bipartisan legislation would improve timely access to quality care for seniors under Medicare Advantage. Specifically, the bill would modernize the way Medicare Advantage plans and health care providers use prior authorization. This legislation addresses the number one administrative issue for physicians today, and will make the delivery of health care more patient and doctor friendly. Since its introduction,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/over-500-advocacy-groups-endorse-seniors-health-care-legislation-authored-by-sens-marshall-sinema-thune-and-brown/" target="_blank">over 500 organizations</a>&nbsp;that represent patients, physicians, hospitals, and other key stakeholders in the health care industry have officially endorsed the legislation, according to a statement from Marshall's office.“For nearly four years, my colleagues and I have worked tirelessly on this bipartisan, bicameral legislation to modernize Medicare Advantage to better serve America’s seniors,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall. “This is the most supported health care bill in the entire Congress both in the number of cosponsors and the weight of more than 500 national and state endorsing organizations. The support underscores our legislation’s significance to patients, health care providers, and innovators in medicine. Today marks an important step forward, but our work is not finished. I urge Senate leadership to work with me in moving the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act to the President’s desk.”“The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act will make it easier for seniors to get the care they need by cutting unnecessary red tape in the health care system. We urge the Senate to quickly take up this legislation and get it to President Biden’s desk.”

House passes bill introduced by Marshall to improve care for seniors

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in a violent sexual assault made his first court appearance on Monday. Darryl Ford, 61,&nbsp;is charged with two counts of rape, two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, aggravated burglary, kidnapping, attempted rape, and battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. All charges are felonies except the battery.

Just after 7:30 a.m. Sept. 7, police were dispatched to a Wichita hospital for a Sexual Assault report. A 58-year-old victim reported being sexually assaulted by Ford at a home in the 900 block of West Maple in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch.

After an investigation, police arrested&nbsp;Ford&nbsp;

All are felonies except the last one. Attorneys are scheduled to discuss the case on Sept. 26. He remains jailed on a $500,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662728996946.png" alt="Ford-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Ford-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in a violent sexual assault made his first court appearance on Monday. Darryl Ford, 61,&nbsp;is charged with two counts of rape, two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, aggravated burglary, kidnapping, attempted rape, and battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. All charges are felonies except the battery.Just after 7:30 a.m. Sept. 7, police were dispatched to a Wichita hospital for a Sexual Assault report. A 58-year-old victim reported being sexually assaulted by Ford at a home in the 900 block of West Maple in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch.After an investigation, police arrested&nbsp;Ford&nbsp;All are felonies except the last one. Attorneys are scheduled to discuss the case on Sept. 26. He remains jailed on a $500,000 bond.

Kansas man charged in violent sexual assault of 58-year-old

BARBER COUNTY—Two people died in an accident during a pursuit just before 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Barber County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a stolen 2008 Ford F350 driven by Johnathan Lee&nbsp;Ahlvers, 39, Halstead, was fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement southbound out of Pratt County on U.S 281 eight miles south of Sawyer.

Evidence at the scene indicates the driver intentionally struck a northbound 2000 Ford F350 driven by 70-year-old Terrill W. Underwood of Medicine Lodge.

Underwood attempted to avoid the southbound pickup by driving off the highway towards the east ditch. Ahlvers' vehicle was able to strike Underwood's vehicle in the area between the east shoulder and ditch.

Ahlvers was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported Underwood to the hospital in Medicine Lodge where he died. The KHP did not have complete seat belt usage information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663189620230.png" alt="photo of the stolen pickup -courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>photo of the stolen pickup -courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>BARBER COUNTY—Two people died in an accident during a pursuit just before 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Barber County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a stolen 2008 Ford F350 driven by Johnathan Lee&nbsp;Ahlvers, 39, Halstead, was fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement southbound out of Pratt County on U.S 281 eight miles south of Sawyer.Evidence at the scene indicates the driver intentionally struck a northbound 2000 Ford F350 driven by 70-year-old Terrill W. Underwood of Medicine Lodge.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663202292935.png" alt="Photo of the northbound pickup-courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo of the northbound pickup-courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Underwood attempted to avoid the southbound pickup by driving off the highway towards the east ditch. Ahlvers' vehicle was able to strike Underwood's vehicle in the area between the east shoulder and ditch.Ahlvers was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported Underwood to the hospital in Medicine Lodge where he died. The KHP did not have complete seat belt usage information.

KHP: Fleeing driver intentionally struck northbound pickup

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on multiple charges after a high-speed chase on I-70 that sent a woman to the hospital.

Just before 2:30p.m. Monday, a K9 Unit conducted a traffic stop on a silver 2009 Lexus LS on I-70 near the California Ave. exit for failing to signal a lane change, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. During the traffic stop, the driver fled the scene, initiating a pursuit. 

The pursuit went southbound on SE Deer Creek Parkway, eastbound on SE 21st Street, westbound on SE 21st Street and then eastbound on I-70. At some point, while the vehicle was still moving, a female passenger exited the vehicle.

The pursuit continued eastbound on I-70 out of Shawnee County. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office successfully deployed stop sticks. The vehicle’s tires began to deflate. The pursuit ended just east of Lawrence in Douglas County.

Deputies took 47-year-old Darryl D. Minor of Kansas City, Kan. into custody without further incident.

Minor was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of felony flee and elude, driving with a suspended driver’s license, failure to signal turn, possession of marijuana and speeding.

The female passenger was transported to a local hospital by American Medical Response (AMR) with nonlife-threatening injuries.

The Kansas Highway Patrol, the Kansas Highway Patrol Air Support Unit and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office assisted with this incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663095413119.png" alt="Minor-photo Shawnee CO." />
 <figcaption>Minor-photo Shawnee CO.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on multiple charges after a high-speed chase on I-70 that sent a woman to the hospital.Just before 2:30p.m. Monday, a K9 Unit conducted a traffic stop on a silver 2009 Lexus LS on I-70 near the California Ave. exit for failing to signal a lane change, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. During the traffic stop, the driver fled the scene, initiating a pursuit. The pursuit went southbound on SE Deer Creek Parkway, eastbound on SE 21st Street, westbound on SE 21st Street and then eastbound on I-70. At some point, while the vehicle was still moving, a female passenger exited the vehicle.The pursuit continued eastbound on I-70 out of Shawnee County. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office successfully deployed stop sticks. The vehicle’s tires began to deflate. The pursuit ended just east of Lawrence in Douglas County.Deputies took 47-year-old Darryl D. Minor of Kansas City, Kan. into custody without further incident.Minor was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of felony flee and elude, driving with a suspended driver’s license, failure to signal turn, possession of marijuana and speeding.The female passenger was transported to a local hospital by American Medical Response (AMR) with nonlife-threatening injuries.The Kansas Highway Patrol, the Kansas Highway Patrol Air Support Unit and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office assisted with this incident.

Sheriff: Woman jumps from from car during I-70 police chase

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

CAWKER CITY - A Downs man with multiple active felony warrants led law enforcement personnel on a chase from Mitchell County into Osborne County with speeds reaching approximately 40 mph.

Just before 5p.m. Tuesday, a Mitchell County Sheriff's deputy stopped Bryan Mitchell Troxel, 37, of Downs, who was driving a scooter that didn't have a license plate. The stop occurred in 1200 block of Lake Drive in Cawker City, according to a news release from the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office.

During the stop, Troxel allegedly provided a false name to the deputy. At approximately 5:07 p.m., the deputy was attempting a VIN check on the scooter, however, Troxel fled on the scooter and headed south out of Cawker City. Once out of town, he took multiple back roads toward Downs, which is to the west of Cawker City.

According to the news release, personnel from the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office, the Osborne County Sheriff's Office, and the Osborne Police Department pursued Troxel into Downs at speeds reaching approximately 40 mph.

During the pursuit, Troxel recklessly drove in oncoming traffic, through ditches, yards, and at deputies attempting to safely bring the pursuit to an end.

Troxel stopped in the 600 block of Third Street in Downs and attempted to gain entry into a residence. At that point, deputies were able to take him into custody.

Once deputies knew Troxel's true identity, they learned that he had multiple active felony warrants out of Johnson County. The scooter also was reported stolen out of Johnson County. Deputies also allegedly located narcotics and drug paraphernalia.

Troxel was transported to the Mitchell County Jail, with charges being forwarded to the County Attorney.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663189260892.png" alt="Bryan Mitchell Troxel. Photo courtesy Johnson County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Bryan Mitchell Troxel. Photo courtesy Johnson County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostCAWKER CITY - A Downs man with multiple active felony warrants led law enforcement personnel on a chase from Mitchell County into Osborne County with speeds reaching approximately 40 mph.Just before 5p.m. Tuesday, a Mitchell County Sheriff's deputy stopped Bryan Mitchell Troxel, 37, of Downs, who was driving a scooter that didn't have a license plate. The stop occurred in 1200 block of Lake Drive in Cawker City, according to a news release from the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office.During the stop, Troxel allegedly provided a false name to the deputy. At approximately 5:07 p.m., the deputy was attempting a VIN check on the scooter, however, Troxel fled on the scooter and headed south out of Cawker City. Once out of town, he took multiple back roads toward Downs, which is to the west of Cawker City.According to the news release, personnel from the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office, the Osborne County Sheriff's Office, and the Osborne Police Department pursued Troxel into Downs at speeds reaching approximately 40 mph.During the pursuit, Troxel recklessly drove in oncoming traffic, through ditches, yards, and at deputies attempting to safely bring the pursuit to an end.Troxel stopped in the 600 block of Third Street in Downs and attempted to gain entry into a residence. At that point, deputies were able to take him into custody.Once deputies knew Troxel's true identity, they learned that he had multiple active felony warrants out of Johnson County. The scooter also was reported stolen out of Johnson County. Deputies also allegedly located narcotics and drug paraphernalia.Troxel was transported to the Mitchell County Jail, with charges being forwarded to the County Attorney.

Wanted Kansas man led police on chase with stolen scooter

MANHATTAN–&nbsp; Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fight in Manhattan's Aggieville on August 28. With assistance from Fort Riley’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID), authorities have identified a suspect and made an arrest, according to the Riley County Police Department.

On Wednesday, police arrested 25-year-old Jordan Owens of Fort Riley&nbsp; for aggravated battery after he reportedly punched a 23-year-old man causing severe head injuries. 

The victim was found in the alley behind Tate’s bar in the 1100 block of Moro St. by a group of individuals who brought him to the emergency room at Via Christi.

 The victim was later transported to KU Medical Center in Kansas City for further treatment, no current medical status is available.

Owens remains confined in the Riley County Jail on a total bond of $50,000.

MANHATTAN–&nbsp; Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fight in Manhattan's Aggieville on August 28. With assistance from Fort Riley’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID), authorities have identified a suspect and made an arrest, according to the Riley County Police Department.On Wednesday, police arrested 25-year-old Jordan Owens of Fort Riley&nbsp; for aggravated battery after he reportedly punched a 23-year-old man causing severe head injuries. The victim was found in the alley behind Tate’s bar in the 1100 block of Moro St. by a group of individuals who brought him to the emergency room at Via Christi. The victim was later transported to KU Medical Center in Kansas City for further treatment, no current medical status is available.Owens remains confined in the Riley County Jail on a total bond of $50,000.

Suspect arrested for fight in Manhattan that critically injured man

Fears about socialism will take the stage in this year's election

By JASON PROBST <a href="https://thatguyinhutch.substack.com/p/lets-talk-about-the-s-word?fbclid=IwAR1vF9rD5ytgUs4UGWbAM4-s2BCb6B0t8vJ4w5_x9n71hfUez0997CfK0RI">That Guy In Hutch</a>

Saturday’s raucous gubernatorial debate at the Kansas State Fair made
 one thing very clear: This election cycle Kansas Republicans - led by 
the sometimes conservative, sometimes moderate, sometimes sue-happy Kris
 Kobach-esque candidate Derek Schmidt - are going to make the election 
about Joe Biden, inflation, and the oldest and most reliable political 
boogeyman - Socialism.&nbsp;

And why wouldn’t they? Those Photoshopped 
sepia-toned images of your friendly neighborhood do-gooder alongside 
some scary national Democrat has long been an effective tool. It frees 
Republican candidates of the need to run their own campaigns, show up at
 public forums, or explain their policy positions. Thanks to the power 
of graphic design and misinformation, even good and reasonable 
Republicans have been vanquished by an engineered appearance with the 
sinister Washington Democrat de jour.&nbsp;

Now I don’t blame them for 
the inflation bit - it’s a legitimate concern for families in Kansas. 
But let’s not allow ourselves to believe the lie that inflation is 
exclusively under the control of one party or another. What we’re 
experiencing now is the result of global economic realities, breakdowns 
in supply systems (that were largely built around maximizing profit and 
less around ensuring a reliable supply of goods), and global monetary 
policies that artificially restrained natural inflation for a 
generation.

Way before Covid, and way before both Presidents Trump and Biden infused money into the economy, there were the <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/08/government-financial-bailout.asp">“Too Big to Fail” handouts</a>
 that bailed out large investment banks who had been grossly 
irresponsible and nearly trashed the world economy in 2007-08. Aside 
from putting taxpayers on the hook for banks and car manufacturers, it 
also saw the public propping up of the housing market - largely 
destabilized by <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikecollins/2015/07/14/the-big-bank-bailout/?sh=195433472d83">irresponsible
 lending practices and large financial institutions deploying incredibly
 creative methods to make money from bad loans</a>. And let’s not forget that before that we had the eerily similar Savings &amp; Loan bailout in the 1980s.&nbsp;

So
 let’s not pretend that throwing a few bones at the working stiff has 
led to the downfall of our economy - especially when we’ve made a habit 
of socializing the cost of bad business decisions.

Which brings me to the most curious and interesting of this year’s campaign rhetoric - the big, scary “S” word: Socialism.&nbsp;

When
 a Republican candidate can’t figure out how to win an election, there’s
 the ever reliable cry of Socialism and how it’s ruining our country. 
The threat of Socialism has been an effective political tool since World
 War I, and only gained in power during the protracted “Cold War” in 
which anything that looked in the general direction of Russia sent waves
 of <a href="https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/red-scare">fear across the country</a>.&nbsp;

There was even a movie to tell us how pervasive the threat was to the American way of life.&nbsp;

But I wondered why our tax money is being used to clean up a mess 
that was created by people who made the mess in the first place - and 
who quite likely made a healthy profit in the process.&nbsp; Just like those 
people who don’t want their money going to pay off others’ student 
loans, I don’t really want my money going to plug gas wells that 
should’ve been paid for by people who hoped to find wealth by poking 
holes in the ground .&nbsp;

In Kansas, we carve out about <a href="https://www.ksrevenue.gov/prtaxexreports.html">$10.7 billion in various tax exemptions and deductions</a>
 each year. Now, not all of this is decidedly good or bad. Some of that 
includes things like deductions for families on their income taxes, as 
well as property tax and sales tax rebates. But some of that includes 
exemptions and deductions for large corporations. And sometimes that 
savings helps us get things we want - like better access to utilities, 
internet, and infrastructure. But sometimes, it’s just a tool for big 
companies to reduce their tax burdens.

Speaking of 
tax burdens, did you know that in 1992 residential property accounted 
for 35 percent of the state’s overall assessed property valuation 
(property tax base) but that has grown to 54 percent by 2022 - while 
commercial valuation as a percent of the state’s property tax base has 
dropped to 24 percent? Or that for every dollar Kansas collects in 
taxes, <a href="http://www.kslegresearch.org/KLRD-web/Publications/FiscalFacts/2022-Fiscal-Facts.pdf">90 cents comes from you in the way of individual income and sales tax, while only 7 cents comes from the corporate income tax?</a>

So, about that big, scary “S” word that will take center stage this 
election…We do have a Socialism problem, but not in the way we’ve often 
been told.&nbsp;

I have friends who tell me that between health 
insurance premiums, copays, and co-insurance, they’re spending upwards 
of $20,000 a year on health care. I have other friends who won’t change 
jobs - or are terrified of losing the one they have - because they have 
had cancer or some other serious health issue and fear losing their 
health insurance.&nbsp;

I have other friends who work in small 
businesses that don’t offer insurance, and they’re just out of luck. I 
have other friends who had to downsize or close their small business 
because they can’t compete for labor thanks to the prohibitive cost of 
employer-sponsored health insurance.&nbsp;

Yet your tax money is used every day to prop up some dying business - or to invest in a new venture.&nbsp;

We
 have industries with enough money to influence the laws that govern 
them and build tax policy to their liking, while parents are spending 
upwards of $10,000-$12,000 a year for childcare.&nbsp;

And when people 
struggle in their personal lives, make some bad choices, aren’t born to 
the right people, or just aren’t gifted with the right tools to navigate
 an increasingly complex world, there’s a chorus of those who scream 
that they should just try harder, and do better, at life.&nbsp;

But 
throughout our history, both nationally and in Kansas, when the biggest 
for-profit players need a little help pulling up those bootstraps, when 
they make mistakes that threaten the world’s wellbeing, or when they’re 
done making their money and leave a mess behind - we barely hesitate to 
hit up taxpayers for a collective - one might say socialist - bailout 
that we later celebrate as good and necessary.&nbsp;

I’m not saying 
that it’s all bad. We sometimes decide as a nation, state, or community 
how we’d like to make public investments. In the case of the 
aforementioned gas well plugging, it’s probably good for all of us to 
chip in and address a public safety and health nuisance - even if I 
think it really ought to be someone else’s problem to fix.

Public 
education, infrastructure, transportation, and scientific research have 
all come from public, collective investment. And we’ve all benefited 
from it in one way or another. It’s allowed companies to make more money
 and grow, while it’s helped the average family to live a more 
comfortable life filled with more opportunity for growth and 
prosperity.&nbsp;

It is, however, disingenuous to pretend that one 
thing is Socialism while the other is not. We can’t label Wall Street 
bailouts an investment while calling any move to address spiraling 
healthcare costs for poor and working families a socialist entitlement.&nbsp;

And
 we sure shouldn’t let politicians who have been party to the giveaways 
scare us into believing that a vote for them is a vote for good old 
American capitalism when the record shows they’ve supported their own 
version of Socialism for a very long time.&nbsp;

State Rep. Jason Probst, D-Hutchinson, represents the 102nd District in the Kansas House of Representatives.

<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fjason.probst%2Fvideos%2F475845714205836%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div><h2>Fears about socialism will take the stage in this year's election</h2>By JASON PROBST <a href="https://thatguyinhutch.substack.com/p/lets-talk-about-the-s-word?fbclid=IwAR1vF9rD5ytgUs4UGWbAM4-s2BCb6B0t8vJ4w5_x9n71hfUez0997CfK0RI">That Guy In Hutch</a>Saturday’s raucous gubernatorial debate at the Kansas State Fair made
 one thing very clear: This election cycle Kansas Republicans - led by 
the sometimes conservative, sometimes moderate, sometimes sue-happy Kris
 Kobach-esque candidate Derek Schmidt - are going to make the election 
about Joe Biden, inflation, and the oldest and most reliable political 
boogeyman - Socialism.&nbsp;And why wouldn’t they? Those Photoshopped 
sepia-toned images of your friendly neighborhood do-gooder alongside 
some scary national Democrat has long been an effective tool. It frees 
Republican candidates of the need to run their own campaigns, show up at
 public forums, or explain their policy positions. Thanks to the power 
of graphic design and misinformation, even good and reasonable 
Republicans have been vanquished by an engineered appearance with the 
sinister Washington Democrat de jour.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Now I don’t blame them for 
the inflation bit - it’s a legitimate concern for families in Kansas. 
But let’s not allow ourselves to believe the lie that inflation is 
exclusively under the control of one party or another. What we’re 
experiencing now is the result of global economic realities, breakdowns 
in supply systems (that were largely built around maximizing profit and 
less around ensuring a reliable supply of goods), and global monetary 
policies that artificially restrained natural inflation for a 
generation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663188520784.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Way before Covid, and way before both Presidents Trump and Biden infused money into the economy, there were the <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/08/government-financial-bailout.asp">“Too Big to Fail” handouts</a>
 that bailed out large investment banks who had been grossly 
irresponsible and nearly trashed the world economy in 2007-08. Aside 
from putting taxpayers on the hook for banks and car manufacturers, it 
also saw the public propping up of the housing market - largely 
destabilized by <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikecollins/2015/07/14/the-big-bank-bailout/?sh=195433472d83">irresponsible
 lending practices and large financial institutions deploying incredibly
 creative methods to make money from bad loans</a>. And let’s not forget that before that we had the eerily similar Savings &amp; Loan bailout in the 1980s.&nbsp;So
 let’s not pretend that throwing a few bones at the working stiff has 
led to the downfall of our economy - especially when we’ve made a habit 
of socializing the cost of bad business decisions.Which brings me to the most curious and interesting of this year’s campaign rhetoric - the big, scary “S” word: Socialism.&nbsp;When
 a Republican candidate can’t figure out how to win an election, there’s
 the ever reliable cry of Socialism and how it’s ruining our country. 
The threat of Socialism has been an effective political tool since World
 War I, and only gained in power during the protracted “Cold War” in 
which anything that looked in the general direction of Russia sent waves
 of <a href="https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/red-scare">fear across the country</a>.&nbsp;There was even a movie to tell us how pervasive the threat was to the American way of life.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663188565264.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663188616770.png" alt="Is it just me that finds it amusingly weird that there was such a fascination with things being filmed behind locked doors in the 1940s and 50s?" />
 <figcaption>Is it just me that finds it amusingly weird that there was such a fascination with things being filmed behind locked doors in the 1940s and 50s?</figcaption>
 </figure>But I wondered why our tax money is being used to clean up a mess 
that was created by people who made the mess in the first place - and 
who quite likely made a healthy profit in the process.&nbsp; Just like those 
people who don’t want their money going to pay off others’ student 
loans, I don’t really want my money going to plug gas wells that 
should’ve been paid for by people who hoped to find wealth by poking 
holes in the ground .&nbsp;In Kansas, we carve out about <a href="https://www.ksrevenue.gov/prtaxexreports.html">$10.7 billion in various tax exemptions and deductions</a>
 each year. Now, not all of this is decidedly good or bad. Some of that 
includes things like deductions for families on their income taxes, as 
well as property tax and sales tax rebates. But some of that includes 
exemptions and deductions for large corporations. And sometimes that 
savings helps us get things we want - like better access to utilities, 
internet, and infrastructure. But sometimes, it’s just a tool for big 
companies to reduce their tax burdens.Speaking of 
tax burdens, did you know that in 1992 residential property accounted 
for 35 percent of the state’s overall assessed property valuation 
(property tax base) but that has grown to 54 percent by 2022 - while 
commercial valuation as a percent of the state’s property tax base has 
dropped to 24 percent? Or that for every dollar Kansas collects in 
taxes, <a href="http://www.kslegresearch.org/KLRD-web/Publications/FiscalFacts/2022-Fiscal-Facts.pdf">90 cents comes from you in the way of individual income and sales tax, while only 7 cents comes from the corporate income tax?</a>So, about that big, scary “S” word that will take center stage this 
election…We do have a Socialism problem, but not in the way we’ve often 
been told.&nbsp;I have friends who tell me that between health 
insurance premiums, copays, and co-insurance, they’re spending upwards 
of $20,000 a year on health care. I have other friends who won’t change 
jobs - or are terrified of losing the one they have - because they have 
had cancer or some other serious health issue and fear losing their 
health insurance.&nbsp;I have other friends who work in small 
businesses that don’t offer insurance, and they’re just out of luck. I 
have other friends who had to downsize or close their small business 
because they can’t compete for labor thanks to the prohibitive cost of 
employer-sponsored health insurance.&nbsp;Yet your tax money is used every day to prop up some dying business - or to invest in a new venture.&nbsp;We
 have industries with enough money to influence the laws that govern 
them and build tax policy to their liking, while parents are spending 
upwards of $10,000-$12,000 a year for childcare.&nbsp;And when people 
struggle in their personal lives, make some bad choices, aren’t born to 
the right people, or just aren’t gifted with the right tools to navigate
 an increasingly complex world, there’s a chorus of those who scream 
that they should just try harder, and do better, at life.&nbsp;But 
throughout our history, both nationally and in Kansas, when the biggest 
for-profit players need a little help pulling up those bootstraps, when 
they make mistakes that threaten the world’s wellbeing, or when they’re 
done making their money and leave a mess behind - we barely hesitate to 
hit up taxpayers for a collective - one might say socialist - bailout 
that we later celebrate as good and necessary.&nbsp;I’m not saying 
that it’s all bad. We sometimes decide as a nation, state, or community 
how we’d like to make public investments. In the case of the 
aforementioned gas well plugging, it’s probably good for all of us to 
chip in and address a public safety and health nuisance - even if I 
think it really ought to be someone else’s problem to fix.Public 
education, infrastructure, transportation, and scientific research have 
all come from public, collective investment. And we’ve all benefited 
from it in one way or another. It’s allowed companies to make more money
 and grow, while it’s helped the average family to live a more 
comfortable life filled with more opportunity for growth and 
prosperity.&nbsp;It is, however, disingenuous to pretend that one 
thing is Socialism while the other is not. We can’t label Wall Street 
bailouts an investment while calling any move to address spiraling 
healthcare costs for poor and working families a socialist entitlement.&nbsp;And
 we sure shouldn’t let politicians who have been party to the giveaways 
scare us into believing that a vote for them is a vote for good old 
American capitalism when the record shows they’ve supported their own 
version of Socialism for a very long time.&nbsp;State Rep. Jason Probst, D-Hutchinson, represents the 102nd District in the Kansas House of Representatives.

🎥 OPINION: Democrat rep from Hutch talks the 's-word'

By BLAISE MESA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-09-13/the-office-investigating-kansas-foster-care-complaints-says-its-workload-is-not-sustainable">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA — A young state agency created to make sure the
 state looks after the children put in its care has 69 open 
investigations manned by a staff of five people.

In one of the 
just seven cases that the Division of the Child Advocate has closed, it 
concluded that state officials met with a child too little and tried to 
move them to a new home weeks after major brain surgery.

Gov. 
Laura Kelly both created the special ombudsman's office and, as the 
state’s chief executive, she’s ultimately responsible for the state’s 
foster care system. Child advocate Kerrie Lonard told lawmakers on 
Tuesday that the office has had a hectic start.

“These first couple of months,” she said, “it does not feel sustainable.”

Lonard expects things to run smoother as her office fine-tunes its processes.

The
 Kansas News Service obtained a report the advocate’s office filed 
overlooking how the Department for Children and Families, and the 
private contractors it relies on to arrange foster care, handled the 
case of the child who underwent brain surgery.

In that report, 
investigators concluded that caseworkers filed inaccurate court 
documents, failed to meet with the child often enough — sometimes going a
 full month without seeing the child in person — and started efforts to 
move the child during recuperation from the brain surgery.

Lonard 
said the findings her office makes in each case will get released to the
 public when her office files its annual report, something mandated by 
an executive order Kelly signed last year.

The office sprung up 
through that order to monitor the state’s troubled child care system. 
Lonard said foster parents go to her office because they already 
complained to the foster agencies without result. Or, she said, parents 
fear retaliation if they file a complaint. Multiple parents have made 
similar complaints to the Kansas News Service.

The division of the
 child advocate fields complaints from foster families, children, 
lawmakers, mandated reporters or anyone else in child welfare. The 
office cannot undo court decisions, interfere with those cases or change
 the outcomes of a case. But Lonard said her office does have the teeth 
to make changes and said agencies have been responsive and thoughtful to
 her findings.

There could be changes to the office in the future.
 Lawmakers tried to create their own office through legislation, but 
nothing was passed. It wasn’t until Kelly signed the executive order 
that the office was created.

“I have never been a fan of pen-and-paper legislation by edict,” said Sen. Richard Hilderbrand, a Galena Republican, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-10-05/kansas-republicans-say-gov-kelly-went-too-far-by-creating-a-child-advocacy-office-without-them" target="_blank">last year when the order was signed</a>. “There’s a legislative process for a reason.”

Bills pending in the Legislature would put the office under the Kansas Attorney General.

Lonard
 said that won’t make a difference in her work, but she wants to see the
 office added to state law. That means codifying what already exists 
because an executive order from a future governor could just as easily 
scrap the office. The idea of an independent child welfare investigator 
does have bipartisan support.

Lonard said her office is adequately supported by the Legislature, but she is always open to more case investigators.

The
 69 open cases are currently split over five people in the division: 
Lonard; three case analysts; and an office administrator.

The 
office’s creation comes as Kansas has lost almost 500 foster families in
 the last few years. Lawmakers are clamoring for exit interviews to see 
why families are leaving — which could become the Child Advocate’s 
responsibility — but Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a Louisburg Republican, 
hopes Lonard and her team show parents there is a reason to stay 
licensed.

“(But) not if they don’t know about it,” she said. Baumgardner said the office needs to be marketed better.

“Foster parents weren’t even sure how they could file a complaint, or a grievance,” she said.

The child advocate can be contacted on its website, <a href="https://childadvocate.ks.gov/contact-us" target="_blank">childadvocate.ks.gov</a>.

Blaise
 Mesa reports on criminal justice and social services for the Kansas 
News Service in Topeka. You can follow him on Twitter @Blaise_Mesa or 
email him at blaise@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663108018999.png" alt="Child Advocate Kerrie Lonard speaks to lawmakers Tuesday afternoon. Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service " />
 <figcaption>Child Advocate Kerrie Lonard speaks to lawmakers Tuesday afternoon. Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service </figcaption>
 </figure>By BLAISE MESA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-09-13/the-office-investigating-kansas-foster-care-complaints-says-its-workload-is-not-sustainable">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA — A young state agency created to make sure the
 state looks after the children put in its care has 69 open 
investigations manned by a staff of five people.In one of the 
just seven cases that the Division of the Child Advocate has closed, it 
concluded that state officials met with a child too little and tried to 
move them to a new home weeks after major brain surgery.Gov. 
Laura Kelly both created the special ombudsman's office and, as the 
state’s chief executive, she’s ultimately responsible for the state’s 
foster care system. Child advocate Kerrie Lonard told lawmakers on 
Tuesday that the office has had a hectic start.“These first couple of months,” she said, “it does not feel sustainable.”Lonard expects things to run smoother as her office fine-tunes its processes.The
 Kansas News Service obtained a report the advocate’s office filed 
overlooking how the Department for Children and Families, and the 
private contractors it relies on to arrange foster care, handled the 
case of the child who underwent brain surgery.In that report, 
investigators concluded that caseworkers filed inaccurate court 
documents, failed to meet with the child often enough — sometimes going a
 full month without seeing the child in person — and started efforts to 
move the child during recuperation from the brain surgery.Lonard 
said the findings her office makes in each case will get released to the
 public when her office files its annual report, something mandated by 
an executive order Kelly signed last year.The office sprung up 
through that order to monitor the state’s troubled child care system. 
Lonard said foster parents go to her office because they already 
complained to the foster agencies without result. Or, she said, parents 
fear retaliation if they file a complaint. Multiple parents have made 
similar complaints to the Kansas News Service.The division of the
 child advocate fields complaints from foster families, children, 
lawmakers, mandated reporters or anyone else in child welfare. The 
office cannot undo court decisions, interfere with those cases or change
 the outcomes of a case. But Lonard said her office does have the teeth 
to make changes and said agencies have been responsive and thoughtful to
 her findings.There could be changes to the office in the future.
 Lawmakers tried to create their own office through legislation, but 
nothing was passed. It wasn’t until Kelly signed the executive order 
that the office was created.“I have never been a fan of pen-and-paper legislation by edict,” said Sen. Richard Hilderbrand, a Galena Republican, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-10-05/kansas-republicans-say-gov-kelly-went-too-far-by-creating-a-child-advocacy-office-without-them" target="_blank">last year when the order was signed</a>. “There’s a legislative process for a reason.”Bills pending in the Legislature would put the office under the Kansas Attorney General.Lonard
 said that won’t make a difference in her work, but she wants to see the
 office added to state law. That means codifying what already exists 
because an executive order from a future governor could just as easily 
scrap the office. The idea of an independent child welfare investigator 
does have bipartisan support.Lonard said her office is adequately supported by the Legislature, but she is always open to more case investigators.The
 69 open cases are currently split over five people in the division: 
Lonard; three case analysts; and an office administrator.The 
office’s creation comes as Kansas has lost almost 500 foster families in
 the last few years. Lawmakers are clamoring for exit interviews to see 
why families are leaving — which could become the Child Advocate’s 
responsibility — but Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a Louisburg Republican, 
hopes Lonard and her team show parents there is a reason to stay 
licensed.“(But) not if they don’t know about it,” she said. Baumgardner said the office needs to be marketed better.“Foster parents weren’t even sure how they could file a complaint, or a grievance,” she said.The child advocate can be contacted on its website, <a href="https://childadvocate.ks.gov/contact-us" target="_blank">childadvocate.ks.gov</a>.Blaise
 Mesa reports on criminal justice and social services for the Kansas 
News Service in Topeka. You can follow him on Twitter @Blaise_Mesa or 
email him at blaise@kcur.org.

Report: Kan. foster care complaints says workload 'not sustainable' 

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Members of one union rejected a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-497a373594515a27e7435cdf97df7a41">tentative deal</a>&nbsp;with the largest U.S. freight railroads Wednesday, while two ratified agreements and three others remained at the bargaining table just days ahead of a strike deadline, threatening to intensify snarls in the nation's supply chain that have contributed to rising prices.

About 4,900 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 19 voted to reject the tentative agreement negotiated by IAM leadership with the railroads, the union said Wednesday. But the IAM agreed to delay any strike by its members until Sept. 29 to allow more time for negotiations and to allow other unions to vote.

Railroads are trying to reach an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-technology-economy-congress-eb70df8309880dfea8cbe36aaae3fc47">agreement</a>&nbsp;with all their other unions to avert a strike before Friday’s deadline. The unions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-congress-hacking-c92a0e0039353d81ee9d64e53f0fa37c">aren't allowed to strike before Friday</a>&nbsp;under the federal law that governs railroad contract talks.

Government officials and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-strikes-5eb6747b3e4b4e39d764644d6377121d">a variety of businesses</a>&nbsp;are bracing for the possibility of a nationwide rail strike that would paralyze shipments of everything from crude and clothing to cars, a potential calamity for businesses that have struggled for more than two years due to COVID-19 related supply chain breakdowns.

There are 12 unions — one with two separate divisions — representing 115,000 workers that must agree to the tentative deals and then have members vote on whether to approve them. So far, nine had agreed to tentative deals and three others are still at the bargaining table.

Of the nine that agreed to the deals, two — the Transportation Communications Union and the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen unions — voted to ratify their contracts Wednesday. But IAM members voted to reject their deal. Votes by the other six unions that approved tentative deals are pending.

All the tentative deals are based closely on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strikes-a83dffef79d38e36dc25588b19bf54b4">recommendations</a>&nbsp;of a Presidential Emergency Board Joe Biden appointed this summer that called for 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses in a five-year deal that’s retroactive to 2020. Those recommendations also includes one additional paid leave day a year and higher health insurance costs.

The key unions that represent the conductors and engineers who drive trains are holding out in the hope that railroads will agree to go beyond those recommendations and address some of their concerns about unpredictable schedules and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-5123fda3d039543700b23d939e0bdda2">strict attendance policies</a>&nbsp;that they say make it difficult to take any time off. They say the job cuts major railroads have made over the past six years — eliminating nearly one-third of their workers — have made a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-aab7d3084a8d17d8d721d2cb750be323">difficult job even harder</a>&nbsp;although the railroads maintain their operations have just become more efficient as they rely on fewer, longer trains.

Contract talks continued Wednesday with Labor Secretary Marty Walsh participating to put pressure on both sides to reach a deal before Friday's deadline.

“All parties need to stay at the table, bargain in good faith to resolve outstanding issues, and come to an agreement," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. "A shutdown of our freight system is an unacceptable outcome for our economy and the American people, and all parties must work to avoid just that.”

If the two sides can't agree, Congress could step in to block a strike and impose terms on the railroads and unions, but it wasn't clear Wednesday how quickly they could or would act because Democrats and Republicans can't readily agree on a solution. A number of business groups have written letters to lawmakers over the past week urging them to be prepared to step in because of their concerns that a rail strike would be what the Business Roundtable called an “economic catastrophe."

With the midterm elections just weeks away, politics will play a role if Congress has to settle this dispute. Democrats are wary of becoming crosswise with their allies in organized labor, as unions tend to be strong supporters in elections. At the same time, Republicans see an opportunity to put pressure on Biden and his party if the railroads teeter toward a strike. But it's entirely possible that all sides would be blamed for a rail shutdown.

The many businesses that rely on railroads to deliver their raw materials and finished products say a rail strike would cause significant problems particularly for oil refineries, chemical businesses, auto makers, retailers and agricultural groups. The Association of American Railroads trade group estimated that a strike would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-congress-government-and-politics-a53abd85fa6f8b3ccd622222ea9a4c46">cost the economy</a>&nbsp;more than $2 billion a day.

Businesses would likely try to turn to trucks and other modes of shipping if the railroads do shut down, but there isn't enough trucking capacity to take up all the slack. The railroad trade group estimated that 467,000 additional trucks a day would be required to deliver everything railroads handle now.

A freight rail strike would also disrupt passenger traffic because Amtrak and many commuter railroads operate on tracks owned by the freight railroads. Amtrak has already canceled a number of its long-distance trains this week, and it said the rest of its long-distance trains would stop Thursday ahead of the strike deadline.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663178677630.png" alt="A Union Pacific train rolls across Kansas on Wednesday Sept. 14" />
 <figcaption>A Union Pacific train rolls across Kansas on Wednesday Sept. 14</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Members of one union rejected a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-497a373594515a27e7435cdf97df7a41">tentative deal</a>&nbsp;with the largest U.S. freight railroads Wednesday, while two ratified agreements and three others remained at the bargaining table just days ahead of a strike deadline, threatening to intensify snarls in the nation's supply chain that have contributed to rising prices.About 4,900 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 19 voted to reject the tentative agreement negotiated by IAM leadership with the railroads, the union said Wednesday. But the IAM agreed to delay any strike by its members until Sept. 29 to allow more time for negotiations and to allow other unions to vote.Railroads are trying to reach an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-technology-economy-congress-eb70df8309880dfea8cbe36aaae3fc47">agreement</a>&nbsp;with all their other unions to avert a strike before Friday’s deadline. The unions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-congress-hacking-c92a0e0039353d81ee9d64e53f0fa37c">aren't allowed to strike before Friday</a>&nbsp;under the federal law that governs railroad contract talks.Government officials and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-strikes-5eb6747b3e4b4e39d764644d6377121d">a variety of businesses</a>&nbsp;are bracing for the possibility of a nationwide rail strike that would paralyze shipments of everything from crude and clothing to cars, a potential calamity for businesses that have struggled for more than two years due to COVID-19 related supply chain breakdowns.There are 12 unions — one with two separate divisions — representing 115,000 workers that must agree to the tentative deals and then have members vote on whether to approve them. So far, nine had agreed to tentative deals and three others are still at the bargaining table.Of the nine that agreed to the deals, two — the Transportation Communications Union and the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen unions — voted to ratify their contracts Wednesday. But IAM members voted to reject their deal. Votes by the other six unions that approved tentative deals are pending.All the tentative deals are based closely on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strikes-a83dffef79d38e36dc25588b19bf54b4">recommendations</a>&nbsp;of a Presidential Emergency Board Joe Biden appointed this summer that called for 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses in a five-year deal that’s retroactive to 2020. Those recommendations also includes one additional paid leave day a year and higher health insurance costs.The key unions that represent the conductors and engineers who drive trains are holding out in the hope that railroads will agree to go beyond those recommendations and address some of their concerns about unpredictable schedules and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-5123fda3d039543700b23d939e0bdda2">strict attendance policies</a>&nbsp;that they say make it difficult to take any time off. They say the job cuts major railroads have made over the past six years — eliminating nearly one-third of their workers — have made a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-aab7d3084a8d17d8d721d2cb750be323">difficult job even harder</a>&nbsp;although the railroads maintain their operations have just become more efficient as they rely on fewer, longer trains.Contract talks continued Wednesday with Labor Secretary Marty Walsh participating to put pressure on both sides to reach a deal before Friday's deadline.“All parties need to stay at the table, bargain in good faith to resolve outstanding issues, and come to an agreement," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. "A shutdown of our freight system is an unacceptable outcome for our economy and the American people, and all parties must work to avoid just that.”If the two sides can't agree, Congress could step in to block a strike and impose terms on the railroads and unions, but it wasn't clear Wednesday how quickly they could or would act because Democrats and Republicans can't readily agree on a solution. A number of business groups have written letters to lawmakers over the past week urging them to be prepared to step in because of their concerns that a rail strike would be what the Business Roundtable called an “economic catastrophe."With the midterm elections just weeks away, politics will play a role if Congress has to settle this dispute. Democrats are wary of becoming crosswise with their allies in organized labor, as unions tend to be strong supporters in elections. At the same time, Republicans see an opportunity to put pressure on Biden and his party if the railroads teeter toward a strike. But it's entirely possible that all sides would be blamed for a rail shutdown.The many businesses that rely on railroads to deliver their raw materials and finished products say a rail strike would cause significant problems particularly for oil refineries, chemical businesses, auto makers, retailers and agricultural groups. The Association of American Railroads trade group estimated that a strike would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-congress-government-and-politics-a53abd85fa6f8b3ccd622222ea9a4c46">cost the economy</a>&nbsp;more than $2 billion a day.Businesses would likely try to turn to trucks and other modes of shipping if the railroads do shut down, but there isn't enough trucking capacity to take up all the slack. The railroad trade group estimated that 467,000 additional trucks a day would be required to deliver everything railroads handle now.A freight rail strike would also disrupt passenger traffic because Amtrak and many commuter railroads operate on tracks owned by the freight railroads. Amtrak has already canceled a number of its long-distance trains this week, and it said the rest of its long-distance trains would stop Thursday ahead of the strike deadline.___

1 rail union rejects deal, 2 accept ahead of strike deadline

By BRUCE SCHREINER Associated Press

Jim Beam plans to ramp up bourbon production at its largest Kentucky distillery to meet growing global demand in a more than $400 million expansion to be powered by renewable energy.

The project will increase capacity by 50% at the Beam plant in Boston, Kentucky, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/environment-and-nature-kentucky-lifestyle-business-f930302b5c129ade66115d9f020dedc0">reducing greenhouse gas emissions</a>&nbsp;by the same percentage, Beam Suntory said Wednesday.

The company behind the top-selling bourbon said it has reached production capacity at the Boston plant, about 36 miles (58 kilometers) south of Louisville, Kentucky. The expansion will be used to produce two mainstays — Jim Beam white and black label bourbons — and will mostly support expected sales growth overseas, especially in European and Asian markets, said Carlo Coppola, managing director of the Beam brands.

Jim Beam has registered mid-single-digit growth globally in the past two years, the company said.

Mixing renewable energy into crafting whiskey, Beam will use a process that produces renewable natural gas to power the plant, the company said.

Beam Suntory said it has entered into an agreement with 3 Rivers Energy Partners to build a facility across the street to convert waste from making bourbon into biogas, which will be treated to renewable natural gas standards and piped directly back to the distillery.

Once the project is completed, expected to be in 2024, the distillery will be 65% powered by renewable natural gas and 35% by fossil-based natural gas, the company said.

“This expansion will help ensure we meet future demand for our iconic bourbon in a sustainable way that supports the environment and the local community that has helped build and support Jim Beam,” said Beam Suntory President and CEO Albert Baladi.

Beam Suntory, whose products include Kentucky-crafted Maker’s Mark, said last year it wants to cut its companywide greenhouse gas emissions and water usage in half by 2030. The company’s more ambitious goal is to remove more carbon than is emitted from its operations and among its supplier base by 2040. The spirits giant also is committed to planting 500,000 trees annually by 2030, with a goal of planting more trees than are use to make barrels to hold its aging whiskeys.

The new project will create 51 more jobs and includes additional storage warehouses. Bourbon ages in new, charred oak barrels, where it acquires its color and flavor, while stored in warehouses. Most bourbons typically age four to eight years before reaching consumers. Beam's continued growth "reflects the strength of our state’s signature bourbon industry," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said.

Beam also is “fully leveraging” its capacity at its distillery in Clermont, Kentucky, where it produces Jim Beam, Basil Hayden, Knob Creek and Legent brands. The two Beam distilleries are about 14 miles (22 kilometers) apart in central Kentucky. At another distillery that opened last year at Clermont, the company produces such small-batch brands as Booker’s, Baker’s and Little Book.

The company broadly outlined its Boston plant expansion earlier in the summer, but the announcement Wednesday provided details about production and the use of renewable energy.

Beam Suntory, a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan, isn't the first maker of bourbon to go green. Last year,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-kentucky-ky-state-wire-us-news-louisville-5ef37cf60cb8073683e8d3315856f592">spirits giant Diageo</a>&nbsp;opened a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lifestyle-technology-environment-and-nature-kentucky-3d194800f3460b907b1fd2682660621a">carbon-neutral distillery</a>&nbsp;of Bulleit bourbon powered by renewable energy in Lebanon, Kentucky.

Beam's expansion at its Boston distillery comes amid continued rapid growth in the state's $9 billion distilling industry. Kentucky distillers are in the midst of a more than $5 billion capital investment campaign that includes expanding production facilities and warehousing to meet the global thirst for Kentucky bourbon, according to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. Kentucky is home to 95% of the world’s bourbon production, the association said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663176650261.jpeg" alt="Shelves display bottles of bourbons for sale at a Pennsylvania fine wine and spirits store, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Harmony, Pa. Jim Beam plans to ramp up bourbon production at its largest Kentucky distillery to meet growing global demand in a more than $400 million expansion to be powered by renewable energy. The project will increase capacity by 50% at the Beam plant in Boston, Kentucky, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by the same percentage, Beam Suntory said Wednesday, Sept. 14. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)" />
 <figcaption>Shelves display bottles of bourbons for sale at a Pennsylvania fine wine and spirits store, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Harmony, Pa. Jim Beam plans to ramp up bourbon production at its largest Kentucky distillery to meet growing global demand in a more than $400 million expansion to be powered by renewable energy. The project will increase capacity by 50% at the Beam plant in Boston, Kentucky, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by the same percentage, Beam Suntory said Wednesday, Sept. 14. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRUCE SCHREINER Associated PressJim Beam plans to ramp up bourbon production at its largest Kentucky distillery to meet growing global demand in a more than $400 million expansion to be powered by renewable energy.The project will increase capacity by 50% at the Beam plant in Boston, Kentucky, while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/environment-and-nature-kentucky-lifestyle-business-f930302b5c129ade66115d9f020dedc0">reducing greenhouse gas emissions</a>&nbsp;by the same percentage, Beam Suntory said Wednesday.The company behind the top-selling bourbon said it has reached production capacity at the Boston plant, about 36 miles (58 kilometers) south of Louisville, Kentucky. The expansion will be used to produce two mainstays — Jim Beam white and black label bourbons — and will mostly support expected sales growth overseas, especially in European and Asian markets, said Carlo Coppola, managing director of the Beam brands.Jim Beam has registered mid-single-digit growth globally in the past two years, the company said.Mixing renewable energy into crafting whiskey, Beam will use a process that produces renewable natural gas to power the plant, the company said.Beam Suntory said it has entered into an agreement with 3 Rivers Energy Partners to build a facility across the street to convert waste from making bourbon into biogas, which will be treated to renewable natural gas standards and piped directly back to the distillery.Once the project is completed, expected to be in 2024, the distillery will be 65% powered by renewable natural gas and 35% by fossil-based natural gas, the company said.“This expansion will help ensure we meet future demand for our iconic bourbon in a sustainable way that supports the environment and the local community that has helped build and support Jim Beam,” said Beam Suntory President and CEO Albert Baladi.Beam Suntory, whose products include Kentucky-crafted Maker’s Mark, said last year it wants to cut its companywide greenhouse gas emissions and water usage in half by 2030. The company’s more ambitious goal is to remove more carbon than is emitted from its operations and among its supplier base by 2040. The spirits giant also is committed to planting 500,000 trees annually by 2030, with a goal of planting more trees than are use to make barrels to hold its aging whiskeys.The new project will create 51 more jobs and includes additional storage warehouses. Bourbon ages in new, charred oak barrels, where it acquires its color and flavor, while stored in warehouses. Most bourbons typically age four to eight years before reaching consumers. Beam's continued growth "reflects the strength of our state’s signature bourbon industry," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said.Beam also is “fully leveraging” its capacity at its distillery in Clermont, Kentucky, where it produces Jim Beam, Basil Hayden, Knob Creek and Legent brands. The two Beam distilleries are about 14 miles (22 kilometers) apart in central Kentucky. At another distillery that opened last year at Clermont, the company produces such small-batch brands as Booker’s, Baker’s and Little Book.The company broadly outlined its Boston plant expansion earlier in the summer, but the announcement Wednesday provided details about production and the use of renewable energy.Beam Suntory, a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan, isn't the first maker of bourbon to go green. Last year,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-kentucky-ky-state-wire-us-news-louisville-5ef37cf60cb8073683e8d3315856f592">spirits giant Diageo</a>&nbsp;opened a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lifestyle-technology-environment-and-nature-kentucky-3d194800f3460b907b1fd2682660621a">carbon-neutral distillery</a>&nbsp;of Bulleit bourbon powered by renewable energy in Lebanon, Kentucky.Beam's expansion at its Boston distillery comes amid continued rapid growth in the state's $9 billion distilling industry. Kentucky distillers are in the midst of a more than $5 billion capital investment campaign that includes expanding production facilities and warehousing to meet the global thirst for Kentucky bourbon, according to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association. Kentucky is home to 95% of the world’s bourbon production, the association said.

Jim Beam outlines expansion to ramp up bourbon production

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;4,164 new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Wednesday Sept. 7 to Wednesday September 14, for a total of 873,075&nbsp; cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Wednesday, th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported</a>&nbsp;45 additional COVID-19 deaths since September 7, for a total of 9,072.&nbsp; The increase in deaths is attributed to OVS death data reconciliation and does not necessarily&nbsp; reflect an increase in recent deaths, according to the KDHE.

<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 plans to update 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;4,164 new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Wednesday Sept. 7 to Wednesday September 14, for a total of 873,075&nbsp; cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;On Wednesday, th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported</a>&nbsp;45 additional COVID-19 deaths since September 7, for a total of 9,072.&nbsp; The increase in deaths is attributed to OVS death data reconciliation and does not necessarily&nbsp; reflect an increase in recent deaths, according to the KDHE.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663175667648.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></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 plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

KDHE adds 45 COVID deaths to statewide total

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran spoke Tuesday on the Senate floor to encourage a resolution to the railway labor-management dispute and to highlight the negative impact a rail shutdown would have on Kansas and the world, according to a statement from his office.

“In my state, the harvest is well underway, and farmers need to be able to ship their crops by train around the country and to our ports where the grain will be sent to feed a hungry world,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“The Association of American Railroads found that a nationwide rail shutdown could idle more than 7,000 trains and lose more than $2 billion a day in missed economic output. As the deadline for a resolution approaches, we are already seeing the impacts of contingency planning by railways, showing that a full shutdown would be unacceptable.” “In the event that a conclusion is not reached, I will utilize my opportunities as a member of the Senate, as a member of Congress, for congressional intervention and work to shield the impact of a rail shutdown across the nation,”&nbsp;Sen. Moran continued.&nbsp;“Our constituents deserve certainty that will come from reaching a resolution.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663174263824.png" alt="A Union Pacific train rolls across Kansas on Wednesday Sept. 14" />
 <figcaption>A Union Pacific train rolls across Kansas on Wednesday Sept. 14</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran spoke Tuesday on the Senate floor to encourage a resolution to the railway labor-management dispute and to highlight the negative impact a rail shutdown would have on Kansas and the world, according to a statement from his office.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cgsTWFLI_mU?start=2" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>“In my state, the harvest is well underway, and farmers need to be able to ship their crops by train around the country and to our ports where the grain will be sent to feed a hungry world,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“The Association of American Railroads found that a nationwide rail shutdown could idle more than 7,000 trains and lose more than $2 billion a day in missed economic output. As the deadline for a resolution approaches, we are already seeing the impacts of contingency planning by railways, showing that a full shutdown would be unacceptable.” “In the event that a conclusion is not reached, I will utilize my opportunities as a member of the Senate, as a member of Congress, for congressional intervention and work to shield the impact of a rail shutdown across the nation,”&nbsp;Sen. Moran continued.&nbsp;“Our constituents deserve certainty that will come from reaching a resolution.”

🎥 Moran encourages a resolution to avoid railroad strike

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/13/kobach-v-mann-attorney-general-candidates-diverge-on-supreme-court-selection-reform/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Republican and Democratic candidates for attorney general in
 Kansas disagree on whether the state Constitution ought to be amended 
to give the Kansas Senate veto power over a governor’s nominees for the 
Kansas Supreme Court.

GOP candidate Kris Kobach said Kansas should adopt the federal model 
relied upon to fill vacancies on the U.S. Supreme Court. Under that 
approach, the president unilaterally nominates a person to the nation’s 
highest court subject to consent by the U.S. Senate.

Democratic nominee Chris Mann, however, said he preferred to continue
 with Kansas’ merit-based nomination process for justices of the state 
Supreme Court. Kansas has followed this concept since 1958 when the 
state’s voters embedded in the state Constitution the idea of a 
commission selecting finalists and the governor making the state Supreme
 Court appointment without Senate involvement.

Mann, a Lawrence attorney, said the federal process would 
unnecessarily inject partisan politics of the Senate into selection of 
the seven justices of the state Supreme Court.

“As an attorney, and having seen and witnessed that process, I think 
the process works well now,” Mann said. “We need to make sure we’re 
continuing to make nonpartisan selections for our judiciary.”

Under the current system for filling seats on the state Supreme 
Court, a nine-member commission conducts public interviews with 
applicants and recommends three finalists to the governor. A Kansas 
governor draws upon that list when making the decision.

Critics of the existing Supreme Court selection process have objected
 because five members of the commission — a majority — are chosen by 
Kansas lawyers rather than politicians. Advocates of the current format 
of filling state Supreme Court vacancies argue vetting by the commission
 emphasized merit while the federal option invited cronyism.

Kansas GOP governors put one justice on the state Supreme Court in 
the past 20 years, while Kansas Democratic governors named seven 
justices to the state Supreme Court in that span.

Kobach, a rural Lecompton resident and former secretary of state, 
said he had advocated for 15 years alteration of the state Constitution 
so Kansas mirrored the federal model. He asserted Kansas’ 
merit-selection commission was “deeply flawed.”

“I don’t think it has produced the best judiciary nor has it produced
 a nonpartisan judiciary. I think most attorneys, if you ask them 
personally, would say we actually have a fairly partisan Supreme Court 
right now,” Kobach said.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who is running for governor against 
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, said reliance on the federal model for 
filling state Supreme Court vacancies would add transparency to the 
process. He is a former state senator.

“I believe the United States’ federal judiciary, with all of its 
warts, is the envy of the world and is tremendous in terms of its 
contribution to our overall system of government,” Schmidt said.

In 2013, then-Gov. Sam Brownback signed a bill that altered the 
system for making appointments to the Kansas Court of Appeals. The 
Republican governor argued the federal model should be applied to the 
state Court of Appeals and state Supreme Court.

The Brownback-era law abandoned merit-selection reviews by the 
commission in favor of a closed process in which the governor was solely
 responsible for nominating state Court of Appeals judges. Under the 
law, the 40-member Senate could accept or reject nominees by majority 
vote.

Brownback’s first pick to the Court of Appeals under the revised 
system was Caleb Stegall, who was general counsel to the governor. 
Stegall was confirmed to the Court of Appeals. Brownback subsequently 
appointed him to the state Supreme Court via the merit-selection 
process.

Gov. Laura Kelly, who is seeking reelection in November, implemented a
 policy by executive order in 2020 so a Court of Appeals Nominating 
Commission would review qualificiations of applicants, conduct 
interviews with them and submit three nominees for her consideration.

Her executive order didn’t alter state law requiring Court of Appeals
 nominees to undergo confirmation votes by the state Senate. In 2020 and
 2021, the GOP-dominated Senate rejected Kelly’s nomination of Carl 
Folsom, with Republican senators complaining Folsom’s career as a state 
and federal public defender lacked breadth.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663100604784.png" alt="Kris Kobach, Republican nominee for attorney general, supports adoption of the federal model of Senate confirmation for nominees to the Kansas Supreme Court. His opponent in the November campaign, Democrat Chris Mann, prefers the current merit-selection review process of potential Supreme Court justices. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kris Kobach, Republican nominee for attorney general, supports adoption of the federal model of Senate confirmation for nominees to the Kansas Supreme Court. His opponent in the November campaign, Democrat Chris Mann, prefers the current merit-selection review process of potential Supreme Court justices. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/13/kobach-v-mann-attorney-general-candidates-diverge-on-supreme-court-selection-reform/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Republican and Democratic candidates for attorney general in
 Kansas disagree on whether the state Constitution ought to be amended 
to give the Kansas Senate veto power over a governor’s nominees for the 
Kansas Supreme Court.GOP candidate Kris Kobach said Kansas should adopt the federal model 
relied upon to fill vacancies on the U.S. Supreme Court. Under that 
approach, the president unilaterally nominates a person to the nation’s 
highest court subject to consent by the U.S. Senate.Democratic nominee Chris Mann, however, said he preferred to continue
 with Kansas’ merit-based nomination process for justices of the state 
Supreme Court. Kansas has followed this concept since 1958 when the 
state’s voters embedded in the state Constitution the idea of a 
commission selecting finalists and the governor making the state Supreme
 Court appointment without Senate involvement.Mann, a Lawrence attorney, said the federal process would 
unnecessarily inject partisan politics of the Senate into selection of 
the seven justices of the state Supreme Court.“As an attorney, and having seen and witnessed that process, I think 
the process works well now,” Mann said. “We need to make sure we’re 
continuing to make nonpartisan selections for our judiciary.”<h2>The commission</h2>Under the current system for filling seats on the state Supreme 
Court, a nine-member commission conducts public interviews with 
applicants and recommends three finalists to the governor. A Kansas 
governor draws upon that list when making the decision.Critics of the existing Supreme Court selection process have objected
 because five members of the commission — a majority — are chosen by 
Kansas lawyers rather than politicians. Advocates of the current format 
of filling state Supreme Court vacancies argue vetting by the commission
 emphasized merit while the federal option invited cronyism.Kansas GOP governors put one justice on the state Supreme Court in 
the past 20 years, while Kansas Democratic governors named seven 
justices to the state Supreme Court in that span.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663100671414.png" alt="Chris Mann, Democratic nominee for attorney general, said the state’s merit-based system for filling vacancies on the Kansas Supreme Court properly emphasized nonpartisan selections to the state’s highest court. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Chris Mann, Democratic nominee for attorney general, said the state’s merit-based system for filling vacancies on the Kansas Supreme Court properly emphasized nonpartisan selections to the state’s highest court. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Kobach, a rural Lecompton resident and former secretary of state, 
said he had advocated for 15 years alteration of the state Constitution 
so Kansas mirrored the federal model. He asserted Kansas’ 
merit-selection commission was “deeply flawed.”“I don’t think it has produced the best judiciary nor has it produced
 a nonpartisan judiciary. I think most attorneys, if you ask them 
personally, would say we actually have a fairly partisan Supreme Court 
right now,” Kobach said.<h2>‘Envy of the world’</h2>Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who is running for governor against 
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, said reliance on the federal model for 
filling state Supreme Court vacancies would add transparency to the 
process. He is a former state senator.“I believe the United States’ federal judiciary, with all of its 
warts, is the envy of the world and is tremendous in terms of its 
contribution to our overall system of government,” Schmidt said.In 2013, then-Gov. Sam Brownback signed a bill that altered the 
system for making appointments to the Kansas Court of Appeals. The 
Republican governor argued the federal model should be applied to the 
state Court of Appeals and state Supreme Court.The Brownback-era law abandoned merit-selection reviews by the 
commission in favor of a closed process in which the governor was solely
 responsible for nominating state Court of Appeals judges. Under the 
law, the 40-member Senate could accept or reject nominees by majority 
vote.Brownback’s first pick to the Court of Appeals under the revised 
system was Caleb Stegall, who was general counsel to the governor. 
Stegall was confirmed to the Court of Appeals. Brownback subsequently 
appointed him to the state Supreme Court via the merit-selection 
process.Gov. Laura Kelly, who is seeking reelection in November, implemented a
 policy by executive order in 2020 so a Court of Appeals Nominating 
Commission would review qualificiations of applicants, conduct 
interviews with them and submit three nominees for her consideration.Her executive order didn’t alter state law requiring Court of Appeals
 nominees to undergo confirmation votes by the state Senate. In 2020 and
 2021, the GOP-dominated Senate rejected Kelly’s nomination of Carl 
Folsom, with Republican senators complaining Folsom’s career as a state 
and federal public defender lacked breadth.

Kansas AG candidates diverge on Supreme Court selection reform

SUMNER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a gun theft from the Pheasants Forever chapter in Wellington, according to a media release from police.

In the early morning hours of August 31, thieves broke into the chapter’s storage unit and took a Polaris ATV and 13 firearms that belong to the organization. 

Police recovered the ATV several days later on the south side of Wellington. The guns have not been recovered.

Several of the firearms have the “Pheasants Forever” logo on the grips or engraved on them.&nbsp;The stolen firearms include a Browning BPS #05801ZR121;&nbsp; Browning BL-22, 22LR #04100ZN242;&nbsp; Legacy Pointer 12GA #LG12012642;&nbsp; Legacy Pointer 20GA #LG20008876;&nbsp; Benelli Montefeltro 12GA #M979730D19;&nbsp; Weatherby Element 12GA;&nbsp; Weatherby Element 20GA #RM006558;&nbsp; Blaser Sauer Classic 270, #C012824;&nbsp; Henry Golden boy 22LR #GB704867;&nbsp; Kimber Custom II 45ACP #K714201; Beretta APX 9mm AXC005457;&nbsp; Smith &amp; Wesson M&amp;P Shield 9mm #JDA3287 and Sig Sauer P320 9mm #58H107984

Police ask anyone with information about this crime to call/text the information to the Wellington/Sumner County Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS or&nbsp;<a href="http://p3tips.com/">P3Tips.com</a>. Your information may lead to a reward.

SUMNER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a gun theft from the Pheasants Forever chapter in Wellington, according to a media release from police.In the early morning hours of August 31, thieves broke into the chapter’s storage unit and took a Polaris ATV and 13 firearms that belong to the organization. Police recovered the ATV several days later on the south side of Wellington. The guns have not been recovered.Several of the firearms have the “Pheasants Forever” logo on the grips or engraved on them.&nbsp;The stolen firearms include a Browning BPS #05801ZR121;&nbsp; Browning BL-22, 22LR #04100ZN242;&nbsp; Legacy Pointer 12GA #LG12012642;&nbsp; Legacy Pointer 20GA #LG20008876;&nbsp; Benelli Montefeltro 12GA #M979730D19;&nbsp; Weatherby Element 12GA;&nbsp; Weatherby Element 20GA #RM006558;&nbsp; Blaser Sauer Classic 270, #C012824;&nbsp; Henry Golden boy 22LR #GB704867;&nbsp; Kimber Custom II 45ACP #K714201; Beretta APX 9mm AXC005457;&nbsp; Smith &amp; Wesson M&amp;P Shield 9mm #JDA3287 and Sig Sauer P320 9mm #58H107984Police ask anyone with information about this crime to call/text the information to the Wellington/Sumner County Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS or&nbsp;<a href="http://p3tips.com/">P3Tips.com</a>. Your information may lead to a reward.