SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal pedestrian accident and have identified the victim as 68-year-old Charlie Jones of Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch.

Just after 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to an injury accident at Broadway and MacArthur in Wichita.&nbsp; Officers arrived on the scene and located Jones with injuries to his upper body. 

EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The investigation revealed Jones was traveling northbound on Broadway in a motorized wheelchair when he was struck by a black 2011 Ford F-150 traveling eastbound on MacArthur.&nbsp; Police released no additional details Wednesday afternoon.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal pedestrian accident and have identified the victim as 68-year-old Charlie Jones of Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch.Just after 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to an injury accident at Broadway and MacArthur in Wichita.&nbsp; Officers arrived on the scene and located Jones with injuries to his upper body. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.The investigation revealed Jones was traveling northbound on Broadway in a motorized wheelchair when he was struck by a black 2011 Ford F-150 traveling eastbound on MacArthur.&nbsp; Police released no additional details Wednesday afternoon.

Police ID Kan. man who died after pickup struck motorized wheel chair

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The two biggest U.S. railroad unions were working Wednesday ahead of key ratification votes to dispel rumors about the contract deals that averted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-strike-impact-5eb6747b3e4b4e39d764644d6377121d">a potentially devastating</a>&nbsp;nationwide strike.

The unions have been fighting rumors on social media that they would impose the deals on workers if they vote to reject them. The rumors were sparked by a railroad trade publication suggesting that was possible in an article earlier this month.

And some newly formed worker groups that helped&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/strikes-government-and-politics-fce93ab9e273265ab2543d34b6f529ac">organize protests</a>&nbsp;at railyards across the country last week have been urging workers, some harboring deep resentment over how they've been treated by the railroads in recent years, to reject the proposed contracts.

“The challenge is to first get past how angry they are,” said Dennis Pierce, president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. “The education process we’re working through now is to try to get concentrating on the facts of the deal instead of the emotions of what they’ve been through. And that’s a heavy lift.”

He added that there are some “out there from the outside and inside with their own agendas that are trying to keep everyone agitated.”

The BLET and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers unions are instead emphasizing to their members the potential benefits of the five-year deals, which include 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses. Union leaders are stressing that the only way a contract will be imposed on members is if Congress steps in to block a strike because so many businesses rely on railroads to deliver their raw materials and finished products.

Workers were ready to strike until the Biden administration helped broker a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-economy-strikes-congress-94089be6a4f469444da99fec9dde1b3e">last-minute deal</a>&nbsp;that prevented a mid-September walkout at Union Pacific, BNSF, Norfolk Southern, CSX, Kansas City Southern and other railroads. But now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-33f95ad925d1a00b204c95a70c18db3c">all the unions,</a>&nbsp;which represent a total of 115,000 workers, must ratify their deals over the next six weeks to ensure there won't be a strike. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers voted Wednesday to join two smaller rail unions as the only ones to approve their deals so far.

The financial terms of these deals closely follow the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strikes-a83dffef79d38e36dc25588b19bf54b4">recommendations</a>&nbsp;a special board of arbitrators Biden appointed made this summer, but that board didn't resolve all of the worker concerns about schedules and workloads after the major railroads&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-aab7d3084a8d17d8d721d2cb750be323">eliminated nearly one third</a>&nbsp;of their workforces over the past six years.

Conductors and engineers have been especially upset about quality-of-life issues because they say the strict attendance policies railroads imposed to make sure they have enough crews make it hard to take any time off and keep them on call 24-7.

The president of the SMART-TD union, Jeremy Ferguson, acknowledged in a video he sent out to his members that this deal “did not abolish the whole attendance policy like we asked” but he said it does include some key gains.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-worker-strike-negotiations-updates-83c0f51db4a87bf632dafe589b328f4a?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_2">concessions</a>&nbsp;the unions got include three unpaid leave days a year for medical appointments, although those must be scheduled 30 days ahead of time on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. The railroads also promised not to dock workers when they are hospitalized and said they would negotiate at each railroad about ensuring workers have regularly scheduled days off.

Pierce said the unions focused on time off for medical needs because that seemed to be where the greatest harm was being done. In one case highlighted by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/09/17/railroad-strike-attendance-workers/">Washington Post</a>, a BNSF engineer who skipped a doctor's appointment earlier this year because he was worried about being penalized under that railroad's attendance policy died on a train a few weeks later after suffering a heart attack.

Ferguson also emphasized that the unions were able to protect two-person crews by preventing the railroads from forcing them into arbitration over their proposals to cut train crews down to one person. Unions have vehemently opposed that idea for years because of concerns about safety and protecting jobs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663077336048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The two biggest U.S. railroad unions were working Wednesday ahead of key ratification votes to dispel rumors about the contract deals that averted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-strike-impact-5eb6747b3e4b4e39d764644d6377121d">a potentially devastating</a>&nbsp;nationwide strike.The unions have been fighting rumors on social media that they would impose the deals on workers if they vote to reject them. The rumors were sparked by a railroad trade publication suggesting that was possible in an article earlier this month.And some newly formed worker groups that helped&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/strikes-government-and-politics-fce93ab9e273265ab2543d34b6f529ac">organize protests</a>&nbsp;at railyards across the country last week have been urging workers, some harboring deep resentment over how they've been treated by the railroads in recent years, to reject the proposed contracts.“The challenge is to first get past how angry they are,” said Dennis Pierce, president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. “The education process we’re working through now is to try to get concentrating on the facts of the deal instead of the emotions of what they’ve been through. And that’s a heavy lift.”He added that there are some “out there from the outside and inside with their own agendas that are trying to keep everyone agitated.”The BLET and the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers unions are instead emphasizing to their members the potential benefits of the five-year deals, which include 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses. Union leaders are stressing that the only way a contract will be imposed on members is if Congress steps in to block a strike because so many businesses rely on railroads to deliver their raw materials and finished products.Workers were ready to strike until the Biden administration helped broker a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-economy-strikes-congress-94089be6a4f469444da99fec9dde1b3e">last-minute deal</a>&nbsp;that prevented a mid-September walkout at Union Pacific, BNSF, Norfolk Southern, CSX, Kansas City Southern and other railroads. But now&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-33f95ad925d1a00b204c95a70c18db3c">all the unions,</a>&nbsp;which represent a total of 115,000 workers, must ratify their deals over the next six weeks to ensure there won't be a strike. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers voted Wednesday to join two smaller rail unions as the only ones to approve their deals so far.The financial terms of these deals closely follow the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strikes-a83dffef79d38e36dc25588b19bf54b4">recommendations</a>&nbsp;a special board of arbitrators Biden appointed made this summer, but that board didn't resolve all of the worker concerns about schedules and workloads after the major railroads&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-aab7d3084a8d17d8d721d2cb750be323">eliminated nearly one third</a>&nbsp;of their workforces over the past six years.Conductors and engineers have been especially upset about quality-of-life issues because they say the strict attendance policies railroads imposed to make sure they have enough crews make it hard to take any time off and keep them on call 24-7.The president of the SMART-TD union, Jeremy Ferguson, acknowledged in a video he sent out to his members that this deal “did not abolish the whole attendance policy like we asked” but he said it does include some key gains.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-worker-strike-negotiations-updates-83c0f51db4a87bf632dafe589b328f4a?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_2">concessions</a>&nbsp;the unions got include three unpaid leave days a year for medical appointments, although those must be scheduled 30 days ahead of time on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. The railroads also promised not to dock workers when they are hospitalized and said they would negotiate at each railroad about ensuring workers have regularly scheduled days off.Pierce said the unions focused on time off for medical needs because that seemed to be where the greatest harm was being done. In one case highlighted by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/09/17/railroad-strike-attendance-workers/">Washington Post</a>, a BNSF engineer who skipped a doctor's appointment earlier this year because he was worried about being penalized under that railroad's attendance policy died on a train a few weeks later after suffering a heart attack.Ferguson also emphasized that the unions were able to protect two-person crews by preventing the railroads from forcing them into arbitration over their proposals to cut train crews down to one person. Unions have vehemently opposed that idea for years because of concerns about safety and protecting jobs.

Rail unions emphasize positives of their tentative deal to avoid strike

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers of a
 recent increase in IRS-themed texting scams aimed at stealing personal 
and financial information.

So far in 2022, the IRS has identified and reported thousands of 
fraudulent domains tied to multiple MMS/SMS/text scams (known as 
smishing) targeting taxpayers. In recent months, and especially in the 
last few weeks, IRS-themed smishing has increased exponentially.

Smishing campaigns target mobile phone users, and the scam messages 
often look like they're coming from the IRS, offering lures like fake 
COVID relief, tax credits or help setting up an IRS online account. 
Recipients of these IRS-related scams can report them to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>.

"This is phishing on an industrial scale so thousands of people can 
be at risk of receiving these scam messages," said IRS Commissioner 
Chuck Rettig. "In recent months, the IRS has reported multiple 
large-scale smishing campaigns that have delivered thousands – and even 
hundreds of thousands – of IRS-themed messages in hours or a few days, 
far exceeding previous levels of activity."

With the approach of October's Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the IRS and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit</a>
 partners in the states and the nation's tax community remind people and
 the tax professional community to be on the lookout for phishing scams 
and other schemes that could put sensitive tax data at risk.

In the latest activity, the scam texts often ask taxpayers to click a
 link where phishing websites will try to collect their information or 
potentially send malicious code onto their phones. The IRS does not
 send emails or text messages asking for personal or financial 
information or account numbers. These messages should all be red flags 
for taxpayers.

Beginning in the fall of 2020, the IRS observed an <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-warns-people-about-a-covid-related-text-message-scam">increase</a>
 in reports of smishing scams requesting taxpayer personal and financial
 information. These smishing campaigns continued through the pandemic. 
The IRS has taken numerous steps to warn people of this ongoing threat, 
including posting a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JAKqrUNf-0">video</a> about how to avoid IRS text message scams.

Taxpayers should continue reporting these scams to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>.
 Their reporting allows the IRS to report these scams to the appropriate
 service providers for action, protecting other taxpayers who might 
receive a variant of the same scam.

While the IRS works to shut down online fraud, criminals are using 
ever-evolving tactics to cast a wider net and catch more victims, like 
using algorithms to automatically generate hundreds or even thousands of
 fraudulent domains. For example, a recent campaign used just three 
dozen stolen or bogus email addresses to create over 1,000 fraudulent 
domains.

"Particularly in these cases, the best offense is a good defense," 
said Rettig. "Taxpayers and tax pros need to remain constantly vigilant 
with suspicious IRS-related emails and text messages. And if you get 
one, sending the IRS important details from the text can help us disrupt
 the scams and protect others."

The IRS maintains an inbox, <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>, to process IRS, Treasury and/or tax-related online scams only. Smishing involving other agencies and/or brands should not be reported to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>.

Reporting IRS-themed texts to the IRS allows security professionals 
to track and disrupt these scams. Individuals reporting scam texts to 
the IRS should include both the body of the message and the sender's 
information in one email or text. Copying the actual text into an email 
is preferred. However, if necessary, screenshots can be sent. Scam 
SMS/text messages can also be copied and forwarded to wireless providers
 via text to 7726 (SPAM), which helps them spot and block similar 
messages in the future.

The following process will help capture important details for reporting smishing to the IRS:

In addition to reporting the scam to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>, if IRS-related, report the message to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration using their <a href="http://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml">IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting form</a> and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through their <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/?orgcode=IRS">Complaint Assistant</a> to make the information available to investigators.

All incidents, successful and attempted, should also be reported to the <a href="https://www.ic3.gov/">Internet Crime Complaint Center</a>.

Any individual entering personal information, or otherwise finding 
themselves a victim of tax-related scams, can find additional resources 
at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central">Identity Theft Central</a> on IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers of a
 recent increase in IRS-themed texting scams aimed at stealing personal 
and financial information.So far in 2022, the IRS has identified and reported thousands of 
fraudulent domains tied to multiple MMS/SMS/text scams (known as 
smishing) targeting taxpayers. In recent months, and especially in the 
last few weeks, IRS-themed smishing has increased exponentially.Smishing campaigns target mobile phone users, and the scam messages 
often look like they're coming from the IRS, offering lures like fake 
COVID relief, tax credits or help setting up an IRS online account. 
Recipients of these IRS-related scams can report them to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>."This is phishing on an industrial scale so thousands of people can 
be at risk of receiving these scam messages," said IRS Commissioner 
Chuck Rettig. "In recent months, the IRS has reported multiple 
large-scale smishing campaigns that have delivered thousands – and even 
hundreds of thousands – of IRS-themed messages in hours or a few days, 
far exceeding previous levels of activity."With the approach of October's Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the IRS and the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit">Security Summit</a>
 partners in the states and the nation's tax community remind people and
 the tax professional community to be on the lookout for phishing scams 
and other schemes that could put sensitive tax data at risk.In the latest activity, the scam texts often ask taxpayers to click a
 link where phishing websites will try to collect their information or 
potentially send malicious code onto their phones. The IRS does not
 send emails or text messages asking for personal or financial 
information or account numbers. These messages should all be red flags 
for taxpayers.Beginning in the fall of 2020, the IRS observed an <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-warns-people-about-a-covid-related-text-message-scam">increase</a>
 in reports of smishing scams requesting taxpayer personal and financial
 information. These smishing campaigns continued through the pandemic. 
The IRS has taken numerous steps to warn people of this ongoing threat, 
including posting a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JAKqrUNf-0">video</a> about how to avoid IRS text message scams.Taxpayers should continue reporting these scams to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>.
 Their reporting allows the IRS to report these scams to the appropriate
 service providers for action, protecting other taxpayers who might 
receive a variant of the same scam.While the IRS works to shut down online fraud, criminals are using 
ever-evolving tactics to cast a wider net and catch more victims, like 
using algorithms to automatically generate hundreds or even thousands of
 fraudulent domains. For example, a recent campaign used just three 
dozen stolen or bogus email addresses to create over 1,000 fraudulent 
domains."Particularly in these cases, the best offense is a good defense," 
said Rettig. "Taxpayers and tax pros need to remain constantly vigilant 
with suspicious IRS-related emails and text messages. And if you get 
one, sending the IRS important details from the text can help us disrupt
 the scams and protect others."<h2>Reporting IRS-related smishing</h2>The IRS maintains an inbox, <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>, to process IRS, Treasury and/or tax-related online scams only. Smishing involving other agencies and/or brands should not be reported to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>.Reporting IRS-themed texts to the IRS allows security professionals 
to track and disrupt these scams. Individuals reporting scam texts to 
the IRS should include both the body of the message and the sender's 
information in one email or text. Copying the actual text into an email 
is preferred. However, if necessary, screenshots can be sent. Scam 
SMS/text messages can also be copied and forwarded to wireless providers
 via text to 7726 (SPAM), which helps them spot and block similar 
messages in the future.The following process will help capture important details for reporting smishing to the IRS:<ul>
 <li>Create a new email to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>.</li><li>Copy the caller ID number (or email address).</li><li>Paste the number (or email address) into the email.</li><li>Press and hold the SMS/text message and select "copy".</li><li>Paste the message into the email.</li><li>If possible, include the exact date, time, time zone and telephone number that received the message.</li><li>Send the email to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>.</li>
 </ul><h2>Additional reporting</h2>In addition to reporting the scam to <a href="mailto:phishing@irs.gov">phishing@irs.gov</a>, if IRS-related, report the message to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration using their <a href="http://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml">IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting form</a> and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through their <a href="https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/?orgcode=IRS">Complaint Assistant</a> to make the information available to investigators.All incidents, successful and attempted, should also be reported to the <a href="https://www.ic3.gov/">Internet Crime Complaint Center</a>.Any individual entering personal information, or otherwise finding 
themselves a victim of tax-related scams, can find additional resources 
at <a href="https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central">Identity Theft Central</a> on IRS.gov.<h2>Additional resources</h2><ul>
 <li>IRS.gov: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/privacy-disclosure/report-phishing">Reporting Phishing and Online Scams</a></li><li>IRS YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JAKqrUNf-0">Here's How to Avoid IRS Text Message Scams</a></li><li>COVID Tax Tip 2020-167, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-warns-people-about-a-covid-related-text-message-scam">IRS warns people about a COVID-related text message scam</a></li><li>Federal Communications Commission: <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/smartphone-security">Smartphone Security Checker</a></li><li>Federal Trade Commission: <a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages">How to recognize and report spam text messages</a></li>
 </ul>

IRS reports significant increase in texting scams

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a disturbance and have a suspect in custody.

Just before 7 p.m. Monday, police were dispatched to a disturbance with weapon call in the 1600 block of N. Pennsylvania in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch. 

911 operators had received a call from a citizen reporting an unknown man had thrown a brick through their car window.

Officers arrived in the area and contacted a 57-year-old victim who was bleeding severely from an injury to his wrist. An officer quickly applied a tourniquet to the man and rendered aid until EMS could transport him to an area hospital for treatment.

Officers learned the victim had followed the suspect after the brick was thrown at his car when the suspect, identified as 39-year-old Samuel Burns, approached him with a knife and cut him twice. 

Officers began checking the area for the suspect, who was still armed with the knife, and located him in the 1900 block of N. Hydraulic where he was taken into custody.

Burns booked into the Sedgwick County Jail for aggravated battery, interference with law enforcement, criminal damage, criminal threat, and a warrant for domestic battery. Hospital staff informed officers that their quick action in applying a tourniquet to the victim saved his life

Burns has a previous drug conviction, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664327397847.png" alt="Burns has a previous drug conviction, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Burns has a previous drug conviction, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a disturbance and have a suspect in custody.Just before 7 p.m. Monday, police were dispatched to a disturbance with weapon call in the 1600 block of N. Pennsylvania in Wichita, according to Officer Chad Ditch. 911 operators had received a call from a citizen reporting an unknown man had thrown a brick through their car window.Officers arrived in the area and contacted a 57-year-old victim who was bleeding severely from an injury to his wrist. An officer quickly applied a tourniquet to the man and rendered aid until EMS could transport him to an area hospital for treatment.Officers learned the victim had followed the suspect after the brick was thrown at his car when the suspect, identified as 39-year-old Samuel Burns, approached him with a knife and cut him twice. Officers began checking the area for the suspect, who was still armed with the knife, and located him in the 1900 block of N. Hydraulic where he was taken into custody.Burns booked into the Sedgwick County Jail for aggravated battery, interference with law enforcement, criminal damage, criminal threat, and a warrant for domestic battery. Hospital staff informed officers that their quick action in applying a tourniquet to the victim saved his lifeBurns has a previous drug conviction, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Quick action by police saved Kansas man after knife attack

KANSAS CITY—A Kansas City man faces multiple felony charges for a fatal 2021 shooting, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Celon D. White, 35, faces Murder 2nd Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and two other counts of Armed Criminal Action.

According to court records, on Sept. 8, 2021 Kansas City police responded to Truman Medical Center and were advised that a deceased man had been fatally wounded while he was in the area of 19th and Vine that evening. 

The victim was identified as 33-year-old Mortez Falkner. In September 2022, police recovered the stolen vehicle involved in the shooting in the area of 28th and Walrond. Surveillance video showed that the vehicle was abandoned on Sept. 8, 2021, just hours after the homicide. 

Testing of spent shell casings found at the homicide scene linked the defendant to the casings. In addition, DNA taken from the stolen vehicle found Sept. 15, 2022, also matched to the defendant.

Prosecutors requested the White be held on no bond.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664238625699.png" alt="White-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>White-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—A Kansas City man faces multiple felony charges for a fatal 2021 shooting, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Celon D. White, 35, faces Murder 2nd Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and two other counts of Armed Criminal Action.According to court records, on Sept. 8, 2021 Kansas City police responded to Truman Medical Center and were advised that a deceased man had been fatally wounded while he was in the area of 19th and Vine that evening. The victim was identified as 33-year-old Mortez Falkner. In September 2022, police recovered the stolen vehicle involved in the shooting in the area of 28th and Walrond. Surveillance video showed that the vehicle was abandoned on Sept. 8, 2021, just hours after the homicide. Testing of spent shell casings found at the homicide scene linked the defendant to the casings. In addition, DNA taken from the stolen vehicle found Sept. 15, 2022, also matched to the defendant.Prosecutors requested the White be held on no bond.&nbsp;

DNA in stolen car linked Kansas City man to year-old murder

RENO COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities with the Hutchinson Police Department Special Operations and Investigations Bureau completed an investigation into a juvenile sex offense and have two suspects in custody.&nbsp;

Police arrested Mark E. Rank, 57, Belle Plaine, on requested charges of Electronic Solicitation; Believes the child to be 14-15 YOA, and (2) Indecent Solicitation of a Child.

They also arrested 61-year-old Margaret A. Myrick of Belle Plaine, KS on a requested charge of (1) Conspiracy to Commit Indecent Solicitation of a Child.

The Hutchinson Police Department is asking anyone who is aware of illegal activity to please call Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 1-800-222-TIPS, the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2834, or use your P3Tips App on your smartphone.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664381090600.jpeg" alt="Mark E. Rank -Hutchinson Police" />
 <figcaption>Mark E. Rank -Hutchinson Police</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities with the Hutchinson Police Department Special Operations and Investigations Bureau completed an investigation into a juvenile sex offense and have two suspects in custody.&nbsp;Police arrested Mark E. Rank, 57, Belle Plaine, on requested charges of Electronic Solicitation; Believes the child to be 14-15 YOA, and (2) Indecent Solicitation of a Child.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664381100559.jpeg" alt="Margaret Myrick -photo Hutchinson Police" />
 <figcaption>Margaret Myrick -photo Hutchinson Police</figcaption>
 </figure>They also arrested 61-year-old Margaret A. Myrick of Belle Plaine, KS on a requested charge of (1) Conspiracy to Commit Indecent Solicitation of a Child.The Hutchinson Police Department is asking anyone who is aware of illegal activity to please call Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 1-800-222-TIPS, the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2834, or use your P3Tips App on your smartphone.

Police: Kan. man and woman accused of child sex crimes

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 11:30a.m. Wednesday in Jackson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Ronnie&nbsp;Wewenis, 58, Horton, was northbound on U.S. 75 two miles north of Netawaka passing some northbound traffic. 

The driver lost control of the motorcycle as he was completing the pass. The motorcycle traveled into the west ditch and ejected the the driver.

Wewenis was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Dishon Maple-Chaney. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 11:30a.m. Wednesday in Jackson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Ronnie&nbsp;Wewenis, 58, Horton, was northbound on U.S. 75 two miles north of Netawaka passing some northbound traffic. The driver lost control of the motorcycle as he was completing the pass. The motorcycle traveled into the west ditch and ejected the the driver.Wewenis was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Dishon Maple-Chaney. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after he lost control of motorcycle

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A woman accused in connection with the&nbsp;August 2020 deadly shooting outside a nightclub in Wichita made her first court appearance Tuesday.

Autumn Metcalf, 31 of Wichita, is charged with solicitation to commit murder in the 1st&nbsp;degree, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just before 7p.m. Monday, police booked Metcalf into the Sedgwick County jail, according to<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=422189"> online booking records.</a>

Just after 9p.m. August 24, 2020 police responded to a shooting at Baby Dolls in the 4900 Block of North Arkansas in Wichita, according to Wichita Police Captain Jason Stephens.

At the scene, police found&nbsp; 33-year-old Joe Wheeler III dead of a gunshot wound in a vehicle.

Investigators learned there was a disturbance in the club that spilled out into the parking lot.&nbsp; Wheeler was shot while inside his car which was parked in the back business parking area, according to Stephens.&nbsp;

Attorneys are scheduled to discuss the case on Oct. 11. <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=422189">She is being held</a> on a $250,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598367893158.png" alt="-Police on the scene of the Aug. 2020 shooting investigation&nbsp; outside a Wichita night club-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>-Police on the scene of the Aug. 2020 shooting investigation&nbsp; outside a Wichita night club-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A woman accused in connection with the&nbsp;August 2020 deadly shooting outside a nightclub in Wichita made her first court appearance Tuesday.Autumn Metcalf, 31 of Wichita, is charged with solicitation to commit murder in the 1st&nbsp;degree, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just before 7p.m. Monday, police booked Metcalf into the Sedgwick County jail, according to<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=422189"> online booking records.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664314804304.png" alt="Metcalf -photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Metcalf -photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 9p.m. August 24, 2020 police responded to a shooting at Baby Dolls in the 4900 Block of North Arkansas in Wichita, according to Wichita Police Captain Jason Stephens.At the scene, police found&nbsp; 33-year-old Joe Wheeler III dead of a gunshot wound in a vehicle.Investigators learned there was a disturbance in the club that spilled out into the parking lot.&nbsp; Wheeler was shot while inside his car which was parked in the back business parking area, according to Stephens.&nbsp;Attorneys are scheduled to discuss the case on Oct. 11. <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=422189">She is being held</a> on a $250,000 bond.

Woman charged in Kansas gentlemen’s club killing

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Wednesday his administration's goal of ending hunger in the U.S. by the end of the decade was ambitious but doable, if only the nation would work together toward achieving it.

(click below to watch the President's remarks)

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/White-House-National-Strategy-on-Hunger-Nutrition-and-Health-FINAL.pdf">Click here to read </a>the White House plan that indicates the U.S. faces an urgent, nutrition-related health crisis.

“I know we can do this," Biden told an auditorium full of public health officials, private companies and Americans who have experienced hunger. They were gathered for the first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-medicaid-nutrition-medicare-b3025f27e29a2fef78a26138ddf41278">White House conference on hunger,</a>&nbsp;nutrition and health since 1969.

It was the president at his most optimistic, sketching out a future where no child in the U.S. would go hungry, and diet-related diseases would diminish because of better, healthier food alternatives and access to vast outdoor spaces.

“That’s why we’re here today, to harness our greatest resource: Our fellow Americans," Biden said. “Everyone, everyone has an important role to play.”

The 1969 conference, hosted President Richard Nixon, was a pivotal moment that influenced the U.S. food policy agenda for 50 years. It led to a major expansion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps, and gave rise to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-united-states-congress-015b064f966cc8a0d5963994d6638b0e">Women, Infants and Children program</a>, which serves half the babies born in the U.S. by providing their mothers with parenting advice, breastfeeding support and food assistance.

And yet, 10% of U.S. households in 2021 suffered food insecurity, meaning they were uncertain they could get enough food to feed themselves or their families because they lacked money or resources for food, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Scientific advances have helped Americans better understand how the foods they eat contribute to disease. One of the administration’s goals is to decrease obesity and diet-related disease like diabetes and hypertension through better promotion of healthy eating, good nutrition and physical activity.

Some of the conference attendees have known hunger. Jimmieka Mills, co-founder of Equitable Spaces, a nonprofit that connects those working on hunger solutions with people who have experienced hunger, said it was “an historic opportunity for us to learn directly from those impacted.”

She spoke of growing up and experiencing first-hand the impact of poverty, hunger and homelessness.

“I know what it’s like to not know where your next meal will come from," she said, adding she wanted solutions so that no one in the “country with the most abundant food system in the world ever goes hungry again.”

Before the kickoff, the administration released a list of more than $8 billion in commitments to the cause from private companies, charitable foundations and industry groups. They range from outright donations to in-kind contributions of services and include:

—A $20 million commitment from the Novo Nordisk pharmaceutical company to improve access to healthy foods and safe spaces for physical activity in marginalized communities.

—A $3.85 million commitment from the Publix grocery store chain to supply food to local food banks and establish free mobile food pantries.

—$22 million from the Danone food company to fund a program to help “at least 300 million Americans to build healthier dietary habits.”

—A commitment from the Meijer grocery store chain to offer up to a 10% discount to incentivize users of the SNAP program to buy fruits and vegetables.

While Biden is touting the successful buy-in campaign from the private sector, some of the strongest potential obstacles to his proposals lie in the increasingly partisan Congress.

Proposed policy changes include an expansion of SNAP eligibility, expanding access to free meals in schools and extending summer meal benefits to more schoolchildren. All of those changes would require congressional approval.

The president called on Congress, too, to revive and make permanent the expanded child tax credit that has expired. The number of children in America living in poverty jumped dramatically after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-poverty-columbia-university-0974fed3323ec98a75998817815f4af1">just one month</a>&nbsp;without the expanded child tax credit payment.

“Meeting our bold goals requires a whole of government approach ... And a whole of society effort," he said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/09/27/executive-summary-biden-harris-administration-national-strategy-on-hunger-nutrition-and-health/">laying out its plan</a> to meet an ambitious goal of ending hunger in the U.S. by 2030, including expanding monthly benefits that help low-income Americans buy food.

The administration, in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/22927254-national-strategy-on-hunger-nutrition-and-health">a plan released Tuesday</a>, is also seeking to increase healthy eating and physical activity so that fewer people are afflicted with diabetes, obesity, hypertension and other diet-related diseases. It said it would work to expand Medicaid and Medicare access to obesity counseling and nutrition.

“The consequences of food insecurity and diet-related diseases are significant, far reaching, and disproportionately impact historically underserved communities,” Biden wrote in a memo outlining the White House strategy. “Yet, food insecurity and diet-related diseases are largely preventable, if we prioritize the health of the nation.”

Biden is hosting a conference this week on hunger, nutrition and health, the first by the White House since 1969. That conference, under President Richard Nixon, was a pivotal moment that influenced the U.S. food policy agenda for 50 years. It led to a greatly expanded food stamps program and gave rise to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-united-states-congress-015b064f966cc8a0d5963994d6638b0e">the Women, Infants and Children program</a>, which serves half the babies born in the U.S. by providing women with parenting advice, breastfeeding support and food assistance.

Noreen Springstead, executive director of the anti-hunger organization WhyHunger, said the whole-of-government nature of the summit will hopefully produce greater alignment across the multiple federal agencies that deal with hunger issues — from the USDA and Health and Human Services to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. That, ideally, would help Biden “set the North Star that nutritious food is a human right for all people.”

Springstead noted that a truly comprehensive approach to hunger and nutrition would have to include a major commitment from charities and philanthropic foundations. It would also likely include raising baseline salaries and employers paying their workers "wages that are livable so that they’re not standing in a food line.”

Over the years, cuts to federal programs coupled with stigmas over welfare and big changes to how food and farming systems are run have prompted declines in access to food.

Biden, a Democrat, is hoping this week's conference is similarly transformative. But the goal of Nixon, a Republican, also was “to put an end to hunger in America for all time.”

And yet 10% of U.S. households in 2021 suffered food insecurity, meaning they were uncertain they could get enough food to feed themselves or their families because they lacked money or resources for food, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-food-and-drug-administration">the Food and Drug Administration</a>.

To succeed, Biden needs buy-in from the private sector and an increasingly partisan Congress. Some of the goals sound reminiscent of former first lady&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/8ab09f44288a4ab09501e5d2193a9f9c">Michelle Obama’s</a>&nbsp;Let’s Move initiative to tackle childhood obesity and promote healthy eating. The conference also will highlight the need for access to better, healthier food and exercise.

In response to the Biden plan's release, Partnership for a Healthy America hailed the emphasis on nutrition and health, saying that simply providing more food without prioritizing nutritional value would simply create different problems.

"We applaud the administration’s stated desire to shift from a mindset of treating diet-related diseases to preventing them from occurring in the first place," the organization said in a statement.

Biden said in his memo that over the past 50 years, “we have learned so much more about nutrition and the role that healthy eating plays in how our kids perform in the classroom and about nutrition and its linkages to disease prevention.”

Under the White House plan,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>&nbsp;eligibility would be expanded, children would get better access to free meals, and summer benefits would be extended to more schoolkids. Such changes would require congressional approval.

The other tenets of the strategy include the development of new food packaging to truth-check the “healthy” claims for some products, expanding SNAP incentives to select fruits and vegetables, providing more programs to encourage people to get outside and move, and boosting funding for research.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664304661367.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Wednesday his administration's goal of ending hunger in the U.S. by the end of the decade was ambitious but doable, if only the nation would work together toward achieving it.(click below to watch the President's remarks)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xfp9Cn5A5Mc?start=1006" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/White-House-National-Strategy-on-Hunger-Nutrition-and-Health-FINAL.pdf">Click here to read </a>the White House plan that indicates the U.S. faces an urgent, nutrition-related health crisis.“I know we can do this," Biden told an auditorium full of public health officials, private companies and Americans who have experienced hunger. They were gathered for the first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-medicaid-nutrition-medicare-b3025f27e29a2fef78a26138ddf41278">White House conference on hunger,</a>&nbsp;nutrition and health since 1969.It was the president at his most optimistic, sketching out a future where no child in the U.S. would go hungry, and diet-related diseases would diminish because of better, healthier food alternatives and access to vast outdoor spaces.“That’s why we’re here today, to harness our greatest resource: Our fellow Americans," Biden said. “Everyone, everyone has an important role to play.”The 1969 conference, hosted President Richard Nixon, was a pivotal moment that influenced the U.S. food policy agenda for 50 years. It led to a major expansion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps, and gave rise to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-united-states-congress-015b064f966cc8a0d5963994d6638b0e">Women, Infants and Children program</a>, which serves half the babies born in the U.S. by providing their mothers with parenting advice, breastfeeding support and food assistance.And yet, 10% of U.S. households in 2021 suffered food insecurity, meaning they were uncertain they could get enough food to feed themselves or their families because they lacked money or resources for food, according to the Food and Drug Administration.Scientific advances have helped Americans better understand how the foods they eat contribute to disease. One of the administration’s goals is to decrease obesity and diet-related disease like diabetes and hypertension through better promotion of healthy eating, good nutrition and physical activity.Some of the conference attendees have known hunger. Jimmieka Mills, co-founder of Equitable Spaces, a nonprofit that connects those working on hunger solutions with people who have experienced hunger, said it was “an historic opportunity for us to learn directly from those impacted.”She spoke of growing up and experiencing first-hand the impact of poverty, hunger and homelessness.“I know what it’s like to not know where your next meal will come from," she said, adding she wanted solutions so that no one in the “country with the most abundant food system in the world ever goes hungry again.”Before the kickoff, the administration released a list of more than $8 billion in commitments to the cause from private companies, charitable foundations and industry groups. They range from outright donations to in-kind contributions of services and include:—A $20 million commitment from the Novo Nordisk pharmaceutical company to improve access to healthy foods and safe spaces for physical activity in marginalized communities.—A $3.85 million commitment from the Publix grocery store chain to supply food to local food banks and establish free mobile food pantries.—$22 million from the Danone food company to fund a program to help “at least 300 million Americans to build healthier dietary habits.”—A commitment from the Meijer grocery store chain to offer up to a 10% discount to incentivize users of the SNAP program to buy fruits and vegetables.While Biden is touting the successful buy-in campaign from the private sector, some of the strongest potential obstacles to his proposals lie in the increasingly partisan Congress.Proposed policy changes include an expansion of SNAP eligibility, expanding access to free meals in schools and extending summer meal benefits to more schoolchildren. All of those changes would require congressional approval.The president called on Congress, too, to revive and make permanent the expanded child tax credit that has expired. The number of children in America living in poverty jumped dramatically after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-poverty-columbia-university-0974fed3323ec98a75998817815f4af1">just one month</a>&nbsp;without the expanded child tax credit payment.“Meeting our bold goals requires a whole of government approach ... And a whole of society effort," he said.-------------WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/09/27/executive-summary-biden-harris-administration-national-strategy-on-hunger-nutrition-and-health/">laying out its plan</a> to meet an ambitious goal of ending hunger in the U.S. by 2030, including expanding monthly benefits that help low-income Americans buy food.The administration, in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/22927254-national-strategy-on-hunger-nutrition-and-health">a plan released Tuesday</a>, is also seeking to increase healthy eating and physical activity so that fewer people are afflicted with diabetes, obesity, hypertension and other diet-related diseases. It said it would work to expand Medicaid and Medicare access to obesity counseling and nutrition.“The consequences of food insecurity and diet-related diseases are significant, far reaching, and disproportionately impact historically underserved communities,” Biden wrote in a memo outlining the White House strategy. “Yet, food insecurity and diet-related diseases are largely preventable, if we prioritize the health of the nation.”Biden is hosting a conference this week on hunger, nutrition and health, the first by the White House since 1969. That conference, under President Richard Nixon, was a pivotal moment that influenced the U.S. food policy agenda for 50 years. It led to a greatly expanded food stamps program and gave rise to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-united-states-congress-015b064f966cc8a0d5963994d6638b0e">the Women, Infants and Children program</a>, which serves half the babies born in the U.S. by providing women with parenting advice, breastfeeding support and food assistance.Noreen Springstead, executive director of the anti-hunger organization WhyHunger, said the whole-of-government nature of the summit will hopefully produce greater alignment across the multiple federal agencies that deal with hunger issues — from the USDA and Health and Human Services to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. That, ideally, would help Biden “set the North Star that nutritious food is a human right for all people.”Springstead noted that a truly comprehensive approach to hunger and nutrition would have to include a major commitment from charities and philanthropic foundations. It would also likely include raising baseline salaries and employers paying their workers "wages that are livable so that they’re not standing in a food line.”Over the years, cuts to federal programs coupled with stigmas over welfare and big changes to how food and farming systems are run have prompted declines in access to food.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664293756936.png" alt="President Biden during a White House Competition Council meeting Monday-photo White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden during a White House Competition Council meeting Monday-photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>Biden, a Democrat, is hoping this week's conference is similarly transformative. But the goal of Nixon, a Republican, also was “to put an end to hunger in America for all time.”And yet 10% of U.S. households in 2021 suffered food insecurity, meaning they were uncertain they could get enough food to feed themselves or their families because they lacked money or resources for food, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-food-and-drug-administration">the Food and Drug Administration</a>.To succeed, Biden needs buy-in from the private sector and an increasingly partisan Congress. Some of the goals sound reminiscent of former first lady&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/8ab09f44288a4ab09501e5d2193a9f9c">Michelle Obama’s</a>&nbsp;Let’s Move initiative to tackle childhood obesity and promote healthy eating. The conference also will highlight the need for access to better, healthier food and exercise.In response to the Biden plan's release, Partnership for a Healthy America hailed the emphasis on nutrition and health, saying that simply providing more food without prioritizing nutritional value would simply create different problems."We applaud the administration’s stated desire to shift from a mindset of treating diet-related diseases to preventing them from occurring in the first place," the organization said in a statement.Biden said in his memo that over the past 50 years, “we have learned so much more about nutrition and the role that healthy eating plays in how our kids perform in the classroom and about nutrition and its linkages to disease prevention.”Under the White House plan,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>&nbsp;eligibility would be expanded, children would get better access to free meals, and summer benefits would be extended to more schoolkids. Such changes would require congressional approval.The other tenets of the strategy include the development of new food packaging to truth-check the “healthy” claims for some products, expanding SNAP incentives to select fruits and vegetables, providing more programs to encourage people to get outside and move, and boosting funding for research.

🎥.White House: U.S. facing urgent, nutrition-related health crisis

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/27/parents-of-disabled-kids-urge-kansas-lawmakers-to-expand-aid-and-fix-issues-with-health-care-system/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA
 — A Kansas mother struggling to balance treating her cancer with caring
 for her disabled children urged lawmakers Monday to provide more 
support for people like her.

Kathy Keck, a mother of five kids, 
three of whom have developmental and medical disabilities, said she left
 the workforce more than five years ago to care for her children. Now, 
with a mastectomy scheduled, Keck said she doesn’t know who will watch 
them while she is recovering.&nbsp;

According to Keck, her daughter’s 
full-time nurse covers 52 hour a week, and her husband, a full-time 
nurse, handles 40 hours of child care per week, leaving Keck in charge 
of her daughter for about 76 hours per week. Keck doesn’t know what to 
do for her six- to eight-week mastectomy recuperation period, where she 
won’t be able to do any heavy lifting.

“I too have concerns about another 
mastectomy, but the biggest cause of stress and anxiety is not knowing 
how I will care for two of my three disabled children/adults long enough
 to take care of my own medical needs and recover with the ongoing 
workforce crisis,” Keck said in testimony submitted to the Robert G. 
Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare
 Oversight.&nbsp;

Keck asked lawmakers at the meeting 
to address systemic issues by increasing medically necessary nursing 
care for children on the Technology Assisted Waiver, a Kansan waiver 
that provides people with services such as personalized medical care, 
and find ways to address the statewide shortage of qualified health care
 workers.&nbsp;

Keck said the KanCare system, the state-administered form of Medicaid in Kansas, needs to be fixed.&nbsp;

“What is happening in our system is a lot like cancer,” Keck said.

An issue brought up several times 
during the seven-hour meeting Monday was the waitlist for receiving aid 
for intellectual and developmental disabilities.

More than 4,800 Kansans are currently
 on a waiting list for the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 
HCBS waiver program, according to the Kansas Department for Aging and 
Disability Services. The waiver program provides extra resources, 
support staff and overnight care options, along with other disability 
aids.

Parent Rick Elskamp said his 
21-year-old daughter, Sheridan, got on the waitlist in 2013 and is still
 waiting for help, with advisers telling him the wait could be anywhere 
from 10 to 15 years.

According to Elskamp, Sheridan is 
mentally a 6-year-old and has sensory issues, a history of seizures, 
behavioral issues and communication delays. Elskamp and his wife work 
full time, and payment for her day care is very expensive.

Elskamp said he and his family tried 
to explore other options, such as contacting legislators, putting in a 
funding crisis request and utilizing a respite care plan offered by 
their insurance, all of which was denied or failed, Elskamp said.

“It should not be this difficult 
getting the funding for services Sheridan deserves. Could you imagine 
waiting 10 years after suffering a disabling injury to get benefits?” 
Elskamp said in his testimony.

Other speakers at the meeting brought up issues with child health care coverage in the state.&nbsp;

Approximately 76% of KanCare 
enrollees are children and their caregivers, according to the Kansas 
Department of Health and Environment, but child health care advocates 
say an outdated child insurance eligibility requirement is barring 
hundreds more from adequate coverage.&nbsp;

The Kansas Children’s Health 
Insurance Program determines program eligibility by federal poverty 
income guidelines, with children qualifying if their families make less 
than 250% of these income guidelines.

But advocates from the Kansas Action 
for Children say the state Legislature tied CHIP eligibility to the 2008
 fixed poverty level, and have never updated it. Legislators increased 
funding during the 2022 legislative session to address the issue, 
approving $1.4 million in increased CHIP coverage, but advocates are now
 asking legislators to find a permanent fix to the issue in the 2023 
legislative session.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664374349052.png" alt="Parent Rick Elskamp urges legislators to provide more aid to struggling families during Monday’s hearing on KanCare oversight. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption>Parent Rick Elskamp urges legislators to provide more aid to struggling families during Monday’s hearing on KanCare oversight. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/27/parents-of-disabled-kids-urge-kansas-lawmakers-to-expand-aid-and-fix-issues-with-health-care-system/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA
 — A Kansas mother struggling to balance treating her cancer with caring
 for her disabled children urged lawmakers Monday to provide more 
support for people like her.Kathy Keck, a mother of five kids, 
three of whom have developmental and medical disabilities, said she left
 the workforce more than five years ago to care for her children. Now, 
with a mastectomy scheduled, Keck said she doesn’t know who will watch 
them while she is recovering.&nbsp;According to Keck, her daughter’s 
full-time nurse covers 52 hour a week, and her husband, a full-time 
nurse, handles 40 hours of child care per week, leaving Keck in charge 
of her daughter for about 76 hours per week. Keck doesn’t know what to 
do for her six- to eight-week mastectomy recuperation period, where she 
won’t be able to do any heavy lifting.“I too have concerns about another 
mastectomy, but the biggest cause of stress and anxiety is not knowing 
how I will care for two of my three disabled children/adults long enough
 to take care of my own medical needs and recover with the ongoing 
workforce crisis,” Keck said in testimony submitted to the Robert G. 
Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare
 Oversight.&nbsp;Keck asked lawmakers at the meeting 
to address systemic issues by increasing medically necessary nursing 
care for children on the Technology Assisted Waiver, a Kansan waiver 
that provides people with services such as personalized medical care, 
and find ways to address the statewide shortage of qualified health care
 workers.&nbsp;Keck said the KanCare system, the state-administered form of Medicaid in Kansas, needs to be fixed.&nbsp;“What is happening in our system is a lot like cancer,” Keck said.An issue brought up several times 
during the seven-hour meeting Monday was the waitlist for receiving aid 
for intellectual and developmental disabilities.More than 4,800 Kansans are currently
 on a waiting list for the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 
HCBS waiver program, according to the Kansas Department for Aging and 
Disability Services. The waiver program provides extra resources, 
support staff and overnight care options, along with other disability 
aids.Parent Rick Elskamp said his 
21-year-old daughter, Sheridan, got on the waitlist in 2013 and is still
 waiting for help, with advisers telling him the wait could be anywhere 
from 10 to 15 years.According to Elskamp, Sheridan is 
mentally a 6-year-old and has sensory issues, a history of seizures, 
behavioral issues and communication delays. Elskamp and his wife work 
full time, and payment for her day care is very expensive.Elskamp said he and his family tried 
to explore other options, such as contacting legislators, putting in a 
funding crisis request and utilizing a respite care plan offered by 
their insurance, all of which was denied or failed, Elskamp said.“It should not be this difficult 
getting the funding for services Sheridan deserves. Could you imagine 
waiting 10 years after suffering a disabling injury to get benefits?” 
Elskamp said in his testimony.Other speakers at the meeting brought up issues with child health care coverage in the state.&nbsp;Approximately 76% of KanCare 
enrollees are children and their caregivers, according to the Kansas 
Department of Health and Environment, but child health care advocates 
say an outdated child insurance eligibility requirement is barring 
hundreds more from adequate coverage.&nbsp;The Kansas Children’s Health 
Insurance Program determines program eligibility by federal poverty 
income guidelines, with children qualifying if their families make less 
than 250% of these income guidelines.But advocates from the Kansas Action 
for Children say the state Legislature tied CHIP eligibility to the 2008
 fixed poverty level, and have never updated it. Legislators increased 
funding during the 2022 legislative session to address the issue, 
approving $1.4 million in increased CHIP coverage, but advocates are now
 asking legislators to find a permanent fix to the issue in the 2023 
legislative session.&nbsp;

Parents of disabled Kan. kids: Expand aid, fix health care system issues

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-kansas-kansas-city-topeka-elections-b660dba7114ca83eaa3d9e97604970c9">redrew Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids</a>&nbsp;' suburban Kansas City, Kansas-area district this year to make a third term harder for her to win, adding rural areas where former President Donald Trump did well and removing urban areas that Davids had carried handily.

But the dynamic changed in June, when the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturned Roe v. Wade</a>. Kansas voters responded in August by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">overwhelmingly rejecting</a>&nbsp;a ballot measure expected to lead to more restrictions or a ban on abortion.

The magnitude of that vote has left Davids and other Democrats optimistic. That’s why she is spending the final stretch of the campaign focused on abortion, attempting to keep the same abortion-rights supporters who turned out to vote in August energized to do so again in November.

It's a delicate task, asking voters who may fault Democrats for rising housing and grocery prices to nonetheless support Davids for Congress.

“I think this has more to do with control and limiting people’s rights,” said swing voter Tanner Klingzell, a 42-year-old from the suburb of Prairie Village who says he is fiscally conservative but socially progressive. He supports abortion rights and says, “I just don’t feel comfortable voting for Republicans.”

The Supreme Court's abortion ruling has rewritten the script in districts around the country, and both Davids and Republican challenger Amanda Adkins must win over independents and GOP moderates to win the one swing congressional district in an otherwise red state.

Davids became the first lesbian Native American in Congress when she rode suburban anti-Trump sentiment to office in the 2018 election. Her background as a mixed martial arts fighter drew national interest, and Republicans initially tried to group her with “The Squad” of new liberal House members. Those efforts fell flat as she focused on such non-divisive issues as road projects, prescription drug prices and high-speed internet for rural areas.

Adkins, a former corporate executive and Kansas GOP chair, is hitting Davids hard on pocketbook issues, a tactic Republicans nationally expect to carry them back to a House majority. She's also started highlighting crime and border security. She held a news conference on those issues Monday, days after House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy released Republicans'&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-kevin-mccarthy-newt-gingrich-border-security-97f04b6997ea980a868b8d7628378824">“Commitment to America” agenda,</a>&nbsp;which promises to fight inflation but also to “protect the lives of unborn children.”

The two have faced off before. Davids defeated Adkins in 2020 by 10 percentage points, but that was before redistricting after the 2020 census. While Democrat Joe Biden would have prevailed in the new district in 2020, his margin would have been roughly half the 10 percentage points he racked up in the old district — and that’s likely true for Davids as well. If Adkins’ percentage of the vote in the suburbs is a few points higher this year than in 2020, she can win.

In suburban Overland Park, Andrea Calvo, a 33-year-old freight-company accounts manager, is hoping Republicans emerge a little stronger from the November election because, in her view, “they have proven to be able to handle the economy better.”

While Calvo, a Republican, doesn’t see herself as a moderate, she voted in August against the proposed anti-abortion amendment to the Kansas Constitution. She sees Adkins’ support for it as “definitely a problem.” But it’s not a deal-breaker.

“It’s all about the economy at the end of the day for me,” she said.

The two campaigns, the parties and political groups are now on track to spend about $8 million on television ads.

Davids' ads attack Adkins for her long association with former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback, whose nationally notorious 2012-13 experiment in cutting taxes was followed by huge, persistent state budget shortfalls. Davids on Saturday launched an ad attacking Adkins on abortion that follows up on multiple Kansas Democratic Party mailings, including to Republicans.

Davids and her backers are painting Adkins as an extremist for supporting the proposed amendment that voters rejected in August. It would have removed protections for abortion from the state Constitution, which would have allowed the state Legislature, dominated by abortion opponents, to greatly restrict or ban abortion.

Davids' strong, public opposition to the Kansas anti-abortion measure contrasts with three decades of Democratic candidates soft-pedaling their support for abortion rights in most areas of the state. Abortion has been a dominant issue in Kansas politics since the 1991 anti-abortion “Summer of Mercy” protests outside Dr. George Tiller's clinic in Wichita. Tiller was among the few doctors known to perform abortions late in pregnancy and was shot to death in 2009 by an anti-abortion zealot. Anti-abortion groups have been powerful forces in state politics.

Even with the 3rd District's new, more Republican leanings, 67.5% of its voters opposed the Kansas anti-abortion measure in the August abortion referendum.

“They were very engaged and sent a strong message about us not wanting to have politicians making our decisions for us,” Davids said.

Adkins describes herself as a Catholic who has “always been pro-life” and “100% committed to protecting life at every stage.” But Adkins said she respects the August vote and opposes federal laws on abortion, saying the issue should be decided at the state level.

“It should not be a federal issue, and Sharice Davids still is focusing on it as a federal issue,” Adkins said after a recent suburban meet-and-greet. Davids voted last year for a Democratic measure to guarantee abortion rights across the U.S. and override state restrictions.

Adkins has not been specific about how far she thinks abortion law should go in Kansas, which bans most abortions at the 22nd week, but said Monday that she would favor any new, incremental state measures that would reduce the number of abortions.

In the new, rural parts of the 3rd District, Democrats say the abortion ruling means volunteers are energized. But Republican state Rep. Samantha Poetter Parshall said that Davids is an “extremely hard sell,” especially with conservative farmers. Even Democrats tend to take more conservative positions on issues such as gun rights, she said.

“Also, taxes — people are extremely upset with how high their taxes are right now,” she said.

But about 85% of the district’s voters still live in the suburbs, where centrist and conservative Republicans have feuded for decades, and voters have been electing more Democrats in recent years.

Former U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder, the four-term GOP incumbent ousted by Davids in 2018, praised Adkins as a candidate, but he pointed to the dominance of those suburbs in the district as the reason the race remains challenging for the GOP.

“It’s still a Biden district,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664368382021.png" alt="Amanda Adkins, a former corporate executive and Kansas GOP chair, is hitting Davids hard on pocketbook issues." />
 <figcaption>Amanda Adkins, a former corporate executive and Kansas GOP chair, is hitting Davids hard on pocketbook issues.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-kansas-kansas-city-topeka-elections-b660dba7114ca83eaa3d9e97604970c9">redrew Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids</a>&nbsp;' suburban Kansas City, Kansas-area district this year to make a third term harder for her to win, adding rural areas where former President Donald Trump did well and removing urban areas that Davids had carried handily.But the dynamic changed in June, when the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturned Roe v. Wade</a>. Kansas voters responded in August by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">overwhelmingly rejecting</a>&nbsp;a ballot measure expected to lead to more restrictions or a ban on abortion.The magnitude of that vote has left Davids and other Democrats optimistic. That’s why she is spending the final stretch of the campaign focused on abortion, attempting to keep the same abortion-rights supporters who turned out to vote in August energized to do so again in November.It's a delicate task, asking voters who may fault Democrats for rising housing and grocery prices to nonetheless support Davids for Congress.“I think this has more to do with control and limiting people’s rights,” said swing voter Tanner Klingzell, a 42-year-old from the suburb of Prairie Village who says he is fiscally conservative but socially progressive. He supports abortion rights and says, “I just don’t feel comfortable voting for Republicans.”The Supreme Court's abortion ruling has rewritten the script in districts around the country, and both Davids and Republican challenger Amanda Adkins must win over independents and GOP moderates to win the one swing congressional district in an otherwise red state.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610038234095.png" alt="Rep. Sharie Davids-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Sharie Davids-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Davids became the first lesbian Native American in Congress when she rode suburban anti-Trump sentiment to office in the 2018 election. Her background as a mixed martial arts fighter drew national interest, and Republicans initially tried to group her with “The Squad” of new liberal House members. Those efforts fell flat as she focused on such non-divisive issues as road projects, prescription drug prices and high-speed internet for rural areas.Adkins, a former corporate executive and Kansas GOP chair, is hitting Davids hard on pocketbook issues, a tactic Republicans nationally expect to carry them back to a House majority. She's also started highlighting crime and border security. She held a news conference on those issues Monday, days after House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy released Republicans'&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-kevin-mccarthy-newt-gingrich-border-security-97f04b6997ea980a868b8d7628378824">“Commitment to America” agenda,</a>&nbsp;which promises to fight inflation but also to “protect the lives of unborn children.”The two have faced off before. Davids defeated Adkins in 2020 by 10 percentage points, but that was before redistricting after the 2020 census. While Democrat Joe Biden would have prevailed in the new district in 2020, his margin would have been roughly half the 10 percentage points he racked up in the old district — and that’s likely true for Davids as well. If Adkins’ percentage of the vote in the suburbs is a few points higher this year than in 2020, she can win.In suburban Overland Park, Andrea Calvo, a 33-year-old freight-company accounts manager, is hoping Republicans emerge a little stronger from the November election because, in her view, “they have proven to be able to handle the economy better.”While Calvo, a Republican, doesn’t see herself as a moderate, she voted in August against the proposed anti-abortion amendment to the Kansas Constitution. She sees Adkins’ support for it as “definitely a problem.” But it’s not a deal-breaker.“It’s all about the economy at the end of the day for me,” she said.The two campaigns, the parties and political groups are now on track to spend about $8 million on television ads.Davids' ads attack Adkins for her long association with former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback, whose nationally notorious 2012-13 experiment in cutting taxes was followed by huge, persistent state budget shortfalls. Davids on Saturday launched an ad attacking Adkins on abortion that follows up on multiple Kansas Democratic Party mailings, including to Republicans.Davids and her backers are painting Adkins as an extremist for supporting the proposed amendment that voters rejected in August. It would have removed protections for abortion from the state Constitution, which would have allowed the state Legislature, dominated by abortion opponents, to greatly restrict or ban abortion.Davids' strong, public opposition to the Kansas anti-abortion measure contrasts with three decades of Democratic candidates soft-pedaling their support for abortion rights in most areas of the state. Abortion has been a dominant issue in Kansas politics since the 1991 anti-abortion “Summer of Mercy” protests outside Dr. George Tiller's clinic in Wichita. Tiller was among the few doctors known to perform abortions late in pregnancy and was shot to death in 2009 by an anti-abortion zealot. Anti-abortion groups have been powerful forces in state politics.Even with the 3rd District's new, more Republican leanings, 67.5% of its voters opposed the Kansas anti-abortion measure in the August abortion referendum.“They were very engaged and sent a strong message about us not wanting to have politicians making our decisions for us,” Davids said.Adkins describes herself as a Catholic who has “always been pro-life” and “100% committed to protecting life at every stage.” But Adkins said she respects the August vote and opposes federal laws on abortion, saying the issue should be decided at the state level.“It should not be a federal issue, and Sharice Davids still is focusing on it as a federal issue,” Adkins said after a recent suburban meet-and-greet. Davids voted last year for a Democratic measure to guarantee abortion rights across the U.S. and override state restrictions.Adkins has not been specific about how far she thinks abortion law should go in Kansas, which bans most abortions at the 22nd week, but said Monday that she would favor any new, incremental state measures that would reduce the number of abortions.In the new, rural parts of the 3rd District, Democrats say the abortion ruling means volunteers are energized. But Republican state Rep. Samantha Poetter Parshall said that Davids is an “extremely hard sell,” especially with conservative farmers. Even Democrats tend to take more conservative positions on issues such as gun rights, she said.“Also, taxes — people are extremely upset with how high their taxes are right now,” she said.But about 85% of the district’s voters still live in the suburbs, where centrist and conservative Republicans have feuded for decades, and voters have been electing more Democrats in recent years.Former U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder, the four-term GOP incumbent ousted by Davids in 2018, praised Adkins as a candidate, but he pointed to the dominance of those suburbs in the district as the reason the race remains challenging for the GOP.“It’s still a Biden district,” he said.

Kansas race tests which matters more: Economy or abortion?

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;2,645 new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Wednesday Sept. 21, to Wednesday September 28, for a total of 878,499 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; 476 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on September 21, for a total of 9,555.&nbsp; The large increase in deaths is attributed to OVS death data reconciliation and does not necessarily 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;2,645 new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Wednesday Sept. 21, to Wednesday September 28, for a total of 878,499 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; 476 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on September 21, for a total of 9,555.&nbsp; The large increase in deaths is attributed to OVS death data reconciliation and does not necessarily reflect an increase in recent deaths, according to the KDHE.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664384369884.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: Statewide COVID death toll tops 9,500

By SCOTT CARLSON North Platte Post

Law enforcement authorities have released more details on a crash involving a school bus and a semi in Chase County, Nebraska.

Just before 4p.m. Tuesday 3:57, deputies responded to the report of a bus rollover accident involving a semi on State Highway 15A and 736 Road South, just southwest of Imperial, Nebraska, according to the Chase County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities said a preliminary investigation indicates that the bus, a 2020 Integrated CES owned by Chase County Public Schools driven by Keith Cranwell, 39, of Champion, attempted to make a left turn when it collided with a northbound 1992 Peterbilt semi pulling a fully loaded grain trailer, owned by KAK Inc., of Champion, and driven by Chance Lotspeich, of Venango.

The semi struck the rear passenger side of the bus, causing it to rotate 90 degrees and roll onto the driver's side. The semi continued to travel north for a short distance after striking the bus and eventually left the roadway and came to rest on a property at 32815 15A Spur.

Authorities said the bus had been dropping off children after school and carried 11 students aged six to 15 years old.

All passengers and drivers were transported to Chase County Community Hospital with a wide range of injuries. Authorities said three students were transported to trauma centers by helicopter.

The crash remains under investigation. The Nebraska State Patrol is assisting the Sheriff's Office with the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664382055631.jpeg" alt="Photo: Chase County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo: Chase County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>By SCOTT CARLSON North Platte PostLaw enforcement authorities have released more details on a crash involving a school bus and a semi in Chase County, Nebraska.Just before 4p.m. Tuesday 3:57, deputies responded to the report of a bus rollover accident involving a semi on State Highway 15A and 736 Road South, just southwest of Imperial, Nebraska, according to the Chase County Sheriff's Office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664382073662.jpeg" alt="Photo: Chase County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo: Chase County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Authorities said a preliminary investigation indicates that the bus, a 2020 Integrated CES owned by Chase County Public Schools driven by Keith Cranwell, 39, of Champion, attempted to make a left turn when it collided with a northbound 1992 Peterbilt semi pulling a fully loaded grain trailer, owned by KAK Inc., of Champion, and driven by Chance Lotspeich, of Venango.The semi struck the rear passenger side of the bus, causing it to rotate 90 degrees and roll onto the driver's side. The semi continued to travel north for a short distance after striking the bus and eventually left the roadway and came to rest on a property at 32815 15A Spur.Authorities said the bus had been dropping off children after school and carried 11 students aged six to 15 years old.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1664382093937.jpeg" alt="Photo: Chase County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo: Chase County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>All passengers and drivers were transported to Chase County Community Hospital with a wide range of injuries. Authorities said three students were transported to trauma centers by helicopter.The crash remains under investigation. The Nebraska State Patrol is assisting the Sheriff's Office with the investigation.

Students air-lifted to hospital after Nebraska school bus, semi crash

KANSAS CITY (AP) —A Missouri judge on Tuesday allowed a Christian boarding school to remain open for now, scheduling two days of hearings in October to determine its fate after multiple current and former students alleged widespread abuse.

Cedar County Associate Circuit Judge Thomas Pyle's ruling came a day after he took over the case involving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-religion-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-education-af080895d108aa6dc0db533c60be2ebc">Agape Boarding School in Stockton</a>. The Missouri attorney general's office had asked Pyle to close the school after requesting the new judge for the case previously presided over by Cedar County Circuit Judge David Munton. The state didn't say why it sought a new judge.

Pyle also approved the state's request to again place Missouri Department of Social Services workers at Agape. On Monday, Munton lifted the order allowing state workers at the school. They had been there to monitor for abuse since Sept. 8.

Two days of hearings to determine Agape's fate are scheduled for Oct. 13-14.

Agape's attorney, John Schultz, said he was pleased with the judge's decision allowing Agape to continue operating.

“The students at Agape are not facing immediate harm as the State argued,” Schultz said in a statement. “We monitor the students 24/7 and will continue to do so with the DSS workers returning. We look forward to having a trial in this matter beginning on October 13th where actual evidence, versus unfounded allegations, can be heard and considered.”

A spokesman for Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt declined comment.

Schmitt's office filed a motion earlier this month to close the school, calling it “an immediate health and safety concern for the children residing at Agape.” The school once served over 100 boys. The current number is unclear. School officials have declined to respond to interview requests.

Last week, the Republican speaker of the Missouri House, Rob Vescovo,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-missouri-9aa2d772f73edfa09cde4d2b337fdba2">sent a letter to U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore in Kansas City also urging closure of Agape</a>. His letter said the situation is “more far-reaching and contains more deeply-rooted corruption than we are able to address solely at the state level.”

Vescovo's letter didn't explain his allegations of corruption and he has declined interview requests.

Agape's website calls it a boarding school “for teenage boys exhibiting bad behavior or failing academics. Our mission is to turn around your troubled teen.” Its parent handbook says it is a ministry of Agape Baptist Church, also in Stockton. The school opened in 1996.

Abuse allegations at Agape and a nearby Christian boarding school for girls, Circle of Hope, resulted in a new Missouri law last year that among other things established minimum health and safety requirements for boarding schools, required background checks for employees, and required adequate food, clothing and medical care for students.

Last year, Agape’s longtime doctor, David Smock, was charged with child sex crimes and five employees were charged with low-level abuse counts. Schmitt’s office contended that 22 workers should have been charged, and with more serious crimes. But in Missouri, only the local prosecutor can file charges, and Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gaither has said no additional employees would be charged.

Circle of Hope, in Humansville, Missouri, closed amid an investigation in 2020 and its husband-and-wife co-founders face 99 charges, including child abuse and neglect and sex crimes.

The petition filed by Schmitt's office cites several abuse allegations at Agape, including many from current students as told to DSS workers on-site.

One student was slammed through a magnetically-locked door and then restrained for about 40 minutes, several current students said.

In another case, a student said he saw another student punched in the stomach by a staff member while other staff held the student, who was then allegedly placed in handcuffs for about two weeks except for visits to the bathroom. The punishment was because the student refused to do jumping jacks, according to the court filing.

KANSAS CITY (AP) —A Missouri judge on Tuesday allowed a Christian boarding school to remain open for now, scheduling two days of hearings in October to determine its fate after multiple current and former students alleged widespread abuse.Cedar County Associate Circuit Judge Thomas Pyle's ruling came a day after he took over the case involving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-religion-sexual-abuse-by-clergy-education-af080895d108aa6dc0db533c60be2ebc">Agape Boarding School in Stockton</a>. The Missouri attorney general's office had asked Pyle to close the school after requesting the new judge for the case previously presided over by Cedar County Circuit Judge David Munton. The state didn't say why it sought a new judge.Pyle also approved the state's request to again place Missouri Department of Social Services workers at Agape. On Monday, Munton lifted the order allowing state workers at the school. They had been there to monitor for abuse since Sept. 8.Two days of hearings to determine Agape's fate are scheduled for Oct. 13-14.Agape's attorney, John Schultz, said he was pleased with the judge's decision allowing Agape to continue operating.“The students at Agape are not facing immediate harm as the State argued,” Schultz said in a statement. “We monitor the students 24/7 and will continue to do so with the DSS workers returning. We look forward to having a trial in this matter beginning on October 13th where actual evidence, versus unfounded allegations, can be heard and considered.”A spokesman for Republican Attorney General Eric Schmitt declined comment.Schmitt's office filed a motion earlier this month to close the school, calling it “an immediate health and safety concern for the children residing at Agape.” The school once served over 100 boys. The current number is unclear. School officials have declined to respond to interview requests.Last week, the Republican speaker of the Missouri House, Rob Vescovo,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-missouri-9aa2d772f73edfa09cde4d2b337fdba2">sent a letter to U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore in Kansas City also urging closure of Agape</a>. His letter said the situation is “more far-reaching and contains more deeply-rooted corruption than we are able to address solely at the state level.”Vescovo's letter didn't explain his allegations of corruption and he has declined interview requests.Agape's website calls it a boarding school “for teenage boys exhibiting bad behavior or failing academics. Our mission is to turn around your troubled teen.” Its parent handbook says it is a ministry of Agape Baptist Church, also in Stockton. The school opened in 1996.Abuse allegations at Agape and a nearby Christian boarding school for girls, Circle of Hope, resulted in a new Missouri law last year that among other things established minimum health and safety requirements for boarding schools, required background checks for employees, and required adequate food, clothing and medical care for students.Last year, Agape’s longtime doctor, David Smock, was charged with child sex crimes and five employees were charged with low-level abuse counts. Schmitt’s office contended that 22 workers should have been charged, and with more serious crimes. But in Missouri, only the local prosecutor can file charges, and Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gaither has said no additional employees would be charged.Circle of Hope, in Humansville, Missouri, closed amid an investigation in 2020 and its husband-and-wife co-founders face 99 charges, including child abuse and neglect and sex crimes.The petition filed by Schmitt's office cites several abuse allegations at Agape, including many from current students as told to DSS workers on-site.One student was slammed through a magnetically-locked door and then restrained for about 40 minutes, several current students said.In another case, a student said he saw another student punched in the stomach by a staff member while other staff held the student, who was then allegedly placed in handcuffs for about two weeks except for visits to the bathroom. The punishment was because the student refused to do jumping jacks, according to the court filing.