KANSAS CITY (AP) — A judge has thrown out a $4.2 million jury award in a lawsuit filed by a transgender student in the Blues Springs School District who was denied access to male locker rooms and bathrooms.

The student, identified in court documents as R.M.A., sued in 2015. A Jackson County&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-kansas-city-missouri-fef962dd1ff4cb3fc2981053cf6ed2a7">jury found in December</a>&nbsp;that the Blue Springs School District had discriminated against the student while he attended middle and high school.

He participated in male sports but was required to use separate unisex bathrooms.

Jackson County Circuit Judge Cory Atkins ruled last month that R.M.A. had not proven that his male sex was "a contributing factor” in the district's refusal to let him use male facilities, KCUR&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-06-07/judge-throws-out-a-jurys-4-million-verdict-in-favor-of-a-blue-springs-transgender-student">reported</a>.

Atkins ruled the sole, uncontradicted evidence at the trial was that the student was excluded from male facilities because of his female genitalia.

The Missouri Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that the state's human rights laws against sex discrimination could be extended to those who don't conform to gender stereotypes, which was considered a significant decision for transgender rights at the time.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A judge has thrown out a $4.2 million jury award in a lawsuit filed by a transgender student in the Blues Springs School District who was denied access to male locker rooms and bathrooms.The student, identified in court documents as R.M.A., sued in 2015. A Jackson County&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-kansas-city-missouri-fef962dd1ff4cb3fc2981053cf6ed2a7">jury found in December</a>&nbsp;that the Blue Springs School District had discriminated against the student while he attended middle and high school.He participated in male sports but was required to use separate unisex bathrooms.Jackson County Circuit Judge Cory Atkins ruled last month that R.M.A. had not proven that his male sex was "a contributing factor” in the district's refusal to let him use male facilities, KCUR&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-06-07/judge-throws-out-a-jurys-4-million-verdict-in-favor-of-a-blue-springs-transgender-student">reported</a>.Atkins ruled the sole, uncontradicted evidence at the trial was that the student was excluded from male facilities because of his female genitalia.The Missouri Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that the state's human rights laws against sex discrimination could be extended to those who don't conform to gender stereotypes, which was considered a significant decision for transgender rights at the time.

Judge throws out $4M award for KC-area transgender student

WASHINGTON (AP) — An 11-year-old girl who survived the mass shooting at an elementary school in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/uvalde-school-shooting">Uvalde, Texas,</a>&nbsp;recounted in video testimony to Congress on Wednesday how she covered herself with a dead classmate’s blood to avoid being shot and “just stayed quiet.”

Miah Cerrillo, a fourth-grader at Robb Elementary School, told lawmakers in a pre-recorded video that she watched a teacher get shot in the head before looking for a place to hide.

“I thought he would come back so I covered myself with blood,” Miah told the House panel. “I put it all over me and I just stayed quiet.” She called 911 using the deceased teacher’s phone and pleaded for help.

Nineteen children and two teachers died when an 18-year-old gunman opened fire with an AR-15-style rifle inside Robb Elementary School on May 24.

It was the second day lawmakers heard wrenching testimony on the nation’s gun violence. On Tuesday, a Senate panel heard from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/buffalo-supermarket-shooting-new-york-government-and-politics-gun-violence-2aaff6f50089767777d4bd8db8182bea">son of an 86-year-old woman killed when a gunman opened fire in a racist attack on Black shoppers</a>&nbsp;in Buffalo, New York, on May 14. Ten people died.

In the video Wednesday, Miah’s father, Miguel Cerillo, asked his daughter if she feels safe at school anymore. She shook her head no.

“Why?” he asks. “I don’t want it to happen again,” she responds.

The testimony at the House Oversight Committee came as lawmakers work to strike a bipartisan agreement on gun safety measures in the aftermath of back-to-back mass shootings.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., the panel’s chairwoman, called the hearing to focus on the human impact of gun violence and the urgency for gun control legislation.

“I am asking every member of this committee to listen with an open heart to the brave witnesses who have come forward to tell their stories about how gun violence has impacted their lives,” Maloney said. “Our witnesses today have endured pain and loss. Yet they are displaying incredible courage by coming here to ask us to do our jobs.”

But even as some lawmakers shed tears alongside the witnesses, the hearing displayed the contentious debate over gun control Congress has faced repeatedly after mass shootings. Several Republicans turned the conversation to the individuals who abuse guns and how “hardening schools” could help protect students.

Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., who owns a gun store, said that one of the things he learned in his military service was that “the harder the target you are, the less likely you will be engaged by the enemy.” He called on schools to keep doors locked, provide a single point of entry and “a volunteer force of well-trained and armed staff, in addition to a school resource officer.”

The parents of victims and survivors implored lawmakers not to let their children’s deaths and pain be in vain. After Miah spoke, her father told lawmakers that he testified because “I could have lost my baby girl.”

“But she is not the same little girl that I use to play with,” Cerrillo said. “Schools are not safe anymore. Something needs to really change.”

Also testifying was Zeneta Everhart, whose 20-year-old son Zaire was wounded in the Buffalo mass shooting.

Everhart told lawmakers it was their duty to draft legislation that protects Zaire and other Americans. She said that if they did not find the testimony moving enough to act on gun laws, they had an invitation to go to her home to help her clean her son’s wounds.

“My son Zaire has a hole in the right side of his neck, two on his back, and another on his left leg,” she said, then paused to compose herself. “As I clean his wounds, I can feel pieces of that bullet in his back. Shrapnel will be left inside of his body for the rest of his life. Now I want you to picture that exact scenario for one of your children.”

The parents of Lexi Rubio, who died in her classroom in Uvalde, also testified. Felix and Kimberly Rubio recounted finding out about their daughter’s death hours after leaving Lexi’s school awards ceremony on the morning of the shooting.

To get to the elementary school, Kimberly Rubio said she ran barefoot for a mile with her sandals in her hand and with her husband by her side. A firefighter eventually gave them a ride back to the civic center.

“Soon after we received the news that our daughter was among the 19 students and two teachers that died as a result of gun violence,” she said, fighting through tears.

She said that Lexi would have made a positive change in the world if she had been given the chance.

“Somewhere out there, there’s a mom listening to our testimony, thinking I can’t even imagine their pain, not knowing that our reality will one day be hers unless we act now,” Kimberly Rubio said.

Dr. Roy Guerrero described in stark terms the carnage he witnessed at the local hospital as he tried to treat the injured. He went to the area of the hospital where two dead children had been taken. The bodies were so pulverized, he said, “that the only clue to their identities was the blood-splattered cartoon clothes still clinging to them, clinging for life and finding none.”

The Democratic-led House is expected to pass legislation that would raise the age limit for purchasing a semi-automatic rifle and prohibit the sale of ammunition magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds.

But the legislation has almost no chance of becoming law as the Senate pursues negotiations focused on improving mental health programs, bolstering school security and enhancing background checks. The House bill does allow Democratic lawmakers a chance to frame for voters in November where they stand on policies that polls show appeal to a majority.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-violence-presidential-elections-shootings-5d769e174b200923e75e27b0051da225">Majorities of U.S. adults think mass shootings would occur less often</a>&nbsp;if guns were harder to get, and that schools and other public places have become less safe than they were two decades ago.

WASHINGTON (AP) — An 11-year-old girl who survived the mass shooting at an elementary school in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/uvalde-school-shooting">Uvalde, Texas,</a>&nbsp;recounted in video testimony to Congress on Wednesday how she covered herself with a dead classmate’s blood to avoid being shot and “just stayed quiet.”<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RejrxgL-vEI?start=2147" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Miah Cerrillo, a fourth-grader at Robb Elementary School, told lawmakers in a pre-recorded video that she watched a teacher get shot in the head before looking for a place to hide.“I thought he would come back so I covered myself with blood,” Miah told the House panel. “I put it all over me and I just stayed quiet.” She called 911 using the deceased teacher’s phone and pleaded for help.Nineteen children and two teachers died when an 18-year-old gunman opened fire with an AR-15-style rifle inside Robb Elementary School on May 24.It was the second day lawmakers heard wrenching testimony on the nation’s gun violence. On Tuesday, a Senate panel heard from the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/buffalo-supermarket-shooting-new-york-government-and-politics-gun-violence-2aaff6f50089767777d4bd8db8182bea">son of an 86-year-old woman killed when a gunman opened fire in a racist attack on Black shoppers</a>&nbsp;in Buffalo, New York, on May 14. Ten people died.In the video Wednesday, Miah’s father, Miguel Cerillo, asked his daughter if she feels safe at school anymore. She shook her head no.“Why?” he asks. “I don’t want it to happen again,” she responds.The testimony at the House Oversight Committee came as lawmakers work to strike a bipartisan agreement on gun safety measures in the aftermath of back-to-back mass shootings.Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., the panel’s chairwoman, called the hearing to focus on the human impact of gun violence and the urgency for gun control legislation.“I am asking every member of this committee to listen with an open heart to the brave witnesses who have come forward to tell their stories about how gun violence has impacted their lives,” Maloney said. “Our witnesses today have endured pain and loss. Yet they are displaying incredible courage by coming here to ask us to do our jobs.”But even as some lawmakers shed tears alongside the witnesses, the hearing displayed the contentious debate over gun control Congress has faced repeatedly after mass shootings. Several Republicans turned the conversation to the individuals who abuse guns and how “hardening schools” could help protect students.Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., who owns a gun store, said that one of the things he learned in his military service was that “the harder the target you are, the less likely you will be engaged by the enemy.” He called on schools to keep doors locked, provide a single point of entry and “a volunteer force of well-trained and armed staff, in addition to a school resource officer.”The parents of victims and survivors implored lawmakers not to let their children’s deaths and pain be in vain. After Miah spoke, her father told lawmakers that he testified because “I could have lost my baby girl.”“But she is not the same little girl that I use to play with,” Cerrillo said. “Schools are not safe anymore. Something needs to really change.”Also testifying was Zeneta Everhart, whose 20-year-old son Zaire was wounded in the Buffalo mass shooting.Everhart told lawmakers it was their duty to draft legislation that protects Zaire and other Americans. She said that if they did not find the testimony moving enough to act on gun laws, they had an invitation to go to her home to help her clean her son’s wounds.“My son Zaire has a hole in the right side of his neck, two on his back, and another on his left leg,” she said, then paused to compose herself. “As I clean his wounds, I can feel pieces of that bullet in his back. Shrapnel will be left inside of his body for the rest of his life. Now I want you to picture that exact scenario for one of your children.”The parents of Lexi Rubio, who died in her classroom in Uvalde, also testified. Felix and Kimberly Rubio recounted finding out about their daughter’s death hours after leaving Lexi’s school awards ceremony on the morning of the shooting.To get to the elementary school, Kimberly Rubio said she ran barefoot for a mile with her sandals in her hand and with her husband by her side. A firefighter eventually gave them a ride back to the civic center.“Soon after we received the news that our daughter was among the 19 students and two teachers that died as a result of gun violence,” she said, fighting through tears.She said that Lexi would have made a positive change in the world if she had been given the chance.“Somewhere out there, there’s a mom listening to our testimony, thinking I can’t even imagine their pain, not knowing that our reality will one day be hers unless we act now,” Kimberly Rubio said.Dr. Roy Guerrero described in stark terms the carnage he witnessed at the local hospital as he tried to treat the injured. He went to the area of the hospital where two dead children had been taken. The bodies were so pulverized, he said, “that the only clue to their identities was the blood-splattered cartoon clothes still clinging to them, clinging for life and finding none.”The Democratic-led House is expected to pass legislation that would raise the age limit for purchasing a semi-automatic rifle and prohibit the sale of ammunition magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds.But the legislation has almost no chance of becoming law as the Senate pursues negotiations focused on improving mental health programs, bolstering school security and enhancing background checks. The House bill does allow Democratic lawmakers a chance to frame for voters in November where they stand on policies that polls show appeal to a majority.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-violence-presidential-elections-shootings-5d769e174b200923e75e27b0051da225">Majorities of U.S. adults think mass shootings would occur less often</a>&nbsp;if guns were harder to get, and that schools and other public places have become less safe than they were two decades ago.___

🎥4th grade Uvalde survivor: 'I don't want it to happen again'

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/06/08/garden-city-math-teacher-becomes-first-democrat-to-file-for-1st-congressional-district-race/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Garden City teacher 
Jimmy Beard, a Democrat, filed paperwork Wednesday entering the August 
primary for the 1st Congressional District with hopes of defeating 
incumbent U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann in the general election.

Beard, a math teacher at Garden City High School, cited constant 
attacks on public education as a primary reason he felt the need to 
throw his hat in the ring. He said it was time for Congress to act in 
support of public education, rather than serve as obstructionists.

“We struggle passing any popular bipartisan measure because most 
representatives in either party are just party line,” Beard said. “I 
want to go to office to actually get something done and to work with 
people I disagree with.”

He is the first Democrat to file for the 1st Congressional District 
race in 2022. Beard will have his hands full in the so-called Big First,
 which reaches from the Colorado border to Lawrence under newly 
confirmed congressional maps.

While the inclusion of heavily liberal Lawrence will provide a 
stronger base for a Democratic candidate, the district has leaned 
strongly in favor of Republican candidates in the past, with Mann 
winning 71.2% of the vote in 2020. The district’s size may be daunting, 
but Beard said he will tackle obstacles as they come up.

“We’re the seventh biggest in the country, so it’s going to be 
tough,” Beard said. “I am not sure what my game plan is right now. It’s 
kind of a moving target.”

Raised in a military family, Beard moved to Kansas in 2009 to get his
 bachelor’s degree in Math Education from Fort Hays State University. 
Since graduating, he has held his post at Garden City High School, where
 he became a sponsor of the Gay-Straight Alliance and worked with GLSEN 
and other local organizations on issues of importance to LGBTQ youth and
 community members.

Beyond education, Beard is focusing on taxes and infrastructure, as 
well as legalizing marijuana. He wants to take steps toward fiscal 
responsibility and putting more money and health resources in the hands 
of Kansans.

“Oftentimes, what Kansans want doesn’t really line up with just 
Democrats or just Republicans,” Beard said. “I am confident I can bring 
Kansas values to Congress and actually work with both sides of the 
aisle.”

Mann’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654724098308.png" alt="Garden City teacher Jimmy Beard, a Democrat, said public education, responsible taxation and legalizing marijuana are among his top priorities should he be elected to represent Kansas’ 1st Congressional District. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Garden City teacher Jimmy Beard, a Democrat, said public education, responsible taxation and legalizing marijuana are among his top priorities should he be elected to represent Kansas’ 1st Congressional District. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/06/08/garden-city-math-teacher-becomes-first-democrat-to-file-for-1st-congressional-district-race/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Garden City teacher 
Jimmy Beard, a Democrat, filed paperwork Wednesday entering the August 
primary for the 1st Congressional District with hopes of defeating 
incumbent U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann in the general election.Beard, a math teacher at Garden City High School, cited constant 
attacks on public education as a primary reason he felt the need to 
throw his hat in the ring. He said it was time for Congress to act in 
support of public education, rather than serve as obstructionists.“We struggle passing any popular bipartisan measure because most 
representatives in either party are just party line,” Beard said. “I 
want to go to office to actually get something done and to work with 
people I disagree with.”He is the first Democrat to file for the 1st Congressional District 
race in 2022. Beard will have his hands full in the so-called Big First,
 which reaches from the Colorado border to Lawrence under newly 
confirmed congressional maps.While the inclusion of heavily liberal Lawrence will provide a 
stronger base for a Democratic candidate, the district has leaned 
strongly in favor of Republican candidates in the past, with Mann 
winning 71.2% of the vote in 2020. The district’s size may be daunting, 
but Beard said he will tackle obstacles as they come up.“We’re the seventh biggest in the country, so it’s going to be 
tough,” Beard said. “I am not sure what my game plan is right now. It’s 
kind of a moving target.”Raised in a military family, Beard moved to Kansas in 2009 to get his
 bachelor’s degree in Math Education from Fort Hays State University. 
Since graduating, he has held his post at Garden City High School, where
 he became a sponsor of the Gay-Straight Alliance and worked with GLSEN 
and other local organizations on issues of importance to LGBTQ youth and
 community members.Beyond education, Beard is focusing on taxes and infrastructure, as 
well as legalizing marijuana. He wants to take steps toward fiscal 
responsibility and putting more money and health resources in the hands 
of Kansans.“Oftentimes, what Kansans want doesn’t really line up with just 
Democrats or just Republicans,” Beard said. “I am confident I can bring 
Kansas values to Congress and actually work with both sides of the 
aisle.”Mann’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Garden City teacher first Democrat to file for 1st District race

NATRONE COUNTY, WY—One of three inmates who escaped Friday from a jail in southwest Missouri is in custody in Wyoming.

Christopher Blevins, 37, was booked just before 1p.m. Wednesday, according to online jail records.

Just after 1:30p.m.&nbsp; Sunday, the Wallace County Kansas Sheriff’s Office received a report of a missing vehicle in the 400 block of North Gardner Street in Sharon Springs, according to Sheriff Marshall Unruh.

A local search for the missing vehicle was begun. The Wallace County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a suspicious red or maroon colored GMC Yukon that had been driving around Sharon Springs earlier that day and that it was now parked north of the 27-40 Store in front of the Welding Shop.

Authorities determined the vehicle was stolen out of Saline County Kansas. When the Saline County Sheriff’s office was contacted they stated that the person believed to have stolen the GMC Yukon was an escaped inmate out of Missouri identified as Blevins.

Wallace County Deputies were able to get video evidence of a man and woman&nbsp; associated with the GMC Yukon and confirmed that it was Christopher Allen Blevins who had escaped from the Barry Missouri County Jail on June3.

Wallace County Deputies then contacted the Barry County Jail in Missouri and learned Blevins had escaped with two others but that the U.S. Marshal's service were actively seeking the three escapees. The U.S. Marshal's service had reason to believe the three inmates had separated immediately after their escape as they had tracked one escapee to Arkansas and the other was still located in Missouri.

The Wallace County Sheriff’s Office was given the identity of the female party who was with Blevins. The U.S. Marshal's service believes the couple headed to Colorado as soon as they left Sharon Springs. The Wallace County Sheriff’s Office is seeking arrest warrants for the couple for the theft of the Wallace County Vehicle. As of June 8, the vehicle had not been recovered.

The U.S. Marshal's service does not believe the other two inmates were ever in Kansas. Marshals are working to get them apprehended again as soon as possible, according to Unruh.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654720645619.png" alt="Blevins and a woman accomplice as seen on security camera in Sharon Springs-Wallace Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Blevins and a woman accomplice as seen on security camera in Sharon Springs-Wallace Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>NATRONE COUNTY, WY—One of three inmates who escaped Friday from a jail in southwest Missouri is in custody in Wyoming.Christopher Blevins, 37, was booked just before 1p.m. Wednesday, according to online jail records.Just after 1:30p.m.&nbsp; Sunday, the Wallace County Kansas Sheriff’s Office received a report of a missing vehicle in the 400 block of North Gardner Street in Sharon Springs, according to Sheriff Marshall Unruh.A local search for the missing vehicle was begun. The Wallace County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a suspicious red or maroon colored GMC Yukon that had been driving around Sharon Springs earlier that day and that it was now parked north of the 27-40 Store in front of the Welding Shop.Authorities determined the vehicle was stolen out of Saline County Kansas. When the Saline County Sheriff’s office was contacted they stated that the person believed to have stolen the GMC Yukon was an escaped inmate out of Missouri identified as Blevins.Wallace County Deputies were able to get video evidence of a man and woman&nbsp; associated with the GMC Yukon and confirmed that it was Christopher Allen Blevins who had escaped from the Barry Missouri County Jail on June3.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654650939081.png" alt="Clockwise from left Lance Stephens, Matthew Crawford and Christopher Blevins.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Clockwise from left Lance Stephens, Matthew Crawford and Christopher Blevins.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Wallace County Deputies then contacted the Barry County Jail in Missouri and learned Blevins had escaped with two others but that the U.S. Marshal's service were actively seeking the three escapees. The U.S. Marshal's service had reason to believe the three inmates had separated immediately after their escape as they had tracked one escapee to Arkansas and the other was still located in Missouri.The Wallace County Sheriff’s Office was given the identity of the female party who was with Blevins. The U.S. Marshal's service believes the couple headed to Colorado as soon as they left Sharon Springs. The Wallace County Sheriff’s Office is seeking arrest warrants for the couple for the theft of the Wallace County Vehicle. As of June 8, the vehicle had not been recovered.The U.S. Marshal's service does not believe the other two inmates were ever in Kansas. Marshals are working to get them apprehended again as soon as possible, according to Unruh.

Escaped Mo. inmate who traveled through Kansas captured

GEARY COUNTY&nbsp;-&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), along with the Topeka Police Department and the Geary County Sheriff’s Office, arrested a man connected to an officer-involved shooting on May 21, according to a media release from the KBI.

Just after 9p.m. Tuesday, police arrested Carlton W. Solton Jr., 36, of Junction City,&nbsp; after he was discharged from Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka. Solton was arrested on requested charges of two counts of aggravated assault, three counts of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, and for criminal use of weapons.

At approximately 5:15 p.m. on May 21, a female subject called 911 to report that a man was outside her home, waving a handgun and threatening her and another female subject with it. She lived in the 700 block of West 11th&nbsp;St. in Junction City.&nbsp;

Minutes later, several officers from the Junction City Police Department responded to the area. As they arrived, officers spotted a man matching the suspect’s description fleeing the area. They chased the man on foot. During the chase, officers saw that the man had a gun, heard gunshots coming from his direction, and observed him pointing the gun at them.

As one officer caught up to the suspect, between two houses in the 600 block of West 11th&nbsp;St., a confrontation occurred and the officer fired at the man striking him multiple times.

Officers then rendered aid to the man. EMS responded and took over life-saving measures. The man was identified as Carlton Solton, Jr., 36, of Junction City. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.

EMS transported Solton to the Geary Community Hospital. He was later flown to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka. Solton underwent surgery and received further treatment in the intensive care unit.

Following the Tuesday arrest Solton was transported to the Geary County Detention Center. Bond was set at $50,000.

&nbsp;Once the investigation concludes, case findings will be submitted to the Geary County Attorney for review.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654719760864.png" alt="-Solton from an earlier arrest in Geary Co. He has previous convictions for stalking, domestic battery, criminal threat, assault on a law enforcement officer, criminal possession of a firearm, flee or elude law enforcement and battery of campus or university police, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.-photo Geary Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>-Solton from an earlier arrest in Geary Co. He has previous convictions for stalking, domestic battery, criminal threat, assault on a law enforcement officer, criminal possession of a firearm, flee or elude law enforcement and battery of campus or university police, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.-photo Geary Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY&nbsp;-&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), along with the Topeka Police Department and the Geary County Sheriff’s Office, arrested a man connected to an officer-involved shooting on May 21, according to a media release from the KBI.Just after 9p.m. Tuesday, police arrested Carlton W. Solton Jr., 36, of Junction City,&nbsp; after he was discharged from Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka. Solton was arrested on requested charges of two counts of aggravated assault, three counts of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, and for criminal use of weapons.At approximately 5:15 p.m. on May 21, a female subject called 911 to report that a man was outside her home, waving a handgun and threatening her and another female subject with it. She lived in the 700 block of West 11th&nbsp;St. in Junction City.&nbsp;Minutes later, several officers from the Junction City Police Department responded to the area. As they arrived, officers spotted a man matching the suspect’s description fleeing the area. They chased the man on foot. During the chase, officers saw that the man had a gun, heard gunshots coming from his direction, and observed him pointing the gun at them.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653229189947.jpeg" alt="Investigators on the scene of the May 21 investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Investigators on the scene of the May 21 investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>As one officer caught up to the suspect, between two houses in the 600 block of West 11th&nbsp;St., a confrontation occurred and the officer fired at the man striking him multiple times.Officers then rendered aid to the man. EMS responded and took over life-saving measures. The man was identified as Carlton Solton, Jr., 36, of Junction City. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.EMS transported Solton to the Geary Community Hospital. He was later flown to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka. Solton underwent surgery and received further treatment in the intensive care unit.Following the Tuesday arrest Solton was transported to the Geary County Detention Center. Bond was set at $50,000.&nbsp;Once the investigation concludes, case findings will be submitted to the Geary County Attorney for review.-------

Suspect in Kan. officer shooting moved from hospital to jail

WASHINGTON (AP) — A man carrying a gun, a knife and zip ties was arrested Wednesday near Justice Brett Kavanaugh's house in Maryland after threatening to kill the justice.

Nicholas John Roske of Simi Valley, California, who was identified in a criminal complaint charging him with the attempted murder of a Supreme Court justice, was dressed in black when he arrived by taxi just after 1 a.m. outside Kavanaugh's home in a Washington suburb.

Roske, 26, had a Glock 17 pistol, ammunition, a knife, zip ties, pepper spray, duct tape and other items that he told police he would use to break into Kavanaugh's house and kill him, according to a criminal complaint and affidavit filed in federal court in Maryland. Roske said he purchased the gun to kill Kavanaugh and that he also would kill himself, the affidavit said.

Roske told police he was upset by a leaked draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court is about to overrule Roe v. Wade, the landmark abortion case. He also said he was upset over the school massacre in Uvalde, Texas, and believed Kavanaugh would vote to loosen gun control laws, the affidavit said.

The court currently is weighing a challenge to New York's requirements for getting a permit to carry a gun in public, a case that could make it easier to be armed on the streets of New York and other large cities.

When he got out of the taxi, Roske was spotted by two U.S. Marshals who are part of round-the-clock security provided to the justices following the leak of the draft opinion last month. But Roske was only apprehended after he called 911 in Montgomery County, Maryland, and said he was having suicidal thoughts and planned to kill Kavanaugh, having found the justice's address online. Roske was still on the phone when Montgomery County police arrived on the scene, according to the affidavit.

“This kind of behavior is obviously behavior we will not tolerate,” Attorney General Merrick Garland told reporters Wednesday. “Threats of violence and actual violence against the justices of course strike at the heart of our democracy and we will do everything we can to prevent them and to hold people who do them accountable.”

President Joe Biden praised authorities for quickly apprehending the man, deputy White House press secretary Andrew Bates said in an email.

There have been protests at the homes of Kavanaugh and other justices, as well as demonstrations at the court, where a security fence rings the building and nearby streets have been closed.

A Homeland Security Department report said the draft opinion, leaked in early May, has unleashed a wave of threats against officials and others and increased the likelihood of extremist violence.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Wednesday that an armed man who made threats against Justice Brett Kavanaugh was arrested near the justice’s house in Maryland.

The man was arrested about 1:50 a.m., court spokeswoman Patricia McCabe said in an email.

The California man, in his 20s, was armed with a gun and a knife, according to a law enforcement official. The man, whose identity has not been released, arrived in a taxi early in the morning and told law enforcement officers he wanted to kill Kavanaugh, the official said.

The official was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

The Washington Post initially reported the arrest, quoting sources who said the man also was carrying burglary tools. He told police he was upset by a leaked draft opinion suggesting the court is about to overrule Roe v. Wade, the court’s landmark abortion case, the Post reported. He was also said to be upset over recent mass shootings, according to the newspaper.

The justices have been provided round-the-clock security at their homes amid concerns about violence following the court’s ultimate decision.

There have been protests at Kavanaugh’s house in a Maryland suburb just outside the District of Columbia, and at the homes of other justices, as well as demonstrations at the court, where a security fence rings the building and nearby streets have been closed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633098736105.png" alt="Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A man carrying a gun, a knife and zip ties was arrested Wednesday near Justice Brett Kavanaugh's house in Maryland after threatening to kill the justice.Nicholas John Roske of Simi Valley, California, who was identified in a criminal complaint charging him with the attempted murder of a Supreme Court justice, was dressed in black when he arrived by taxi just after 1 a.m. outside Kavanaugh's home in a Washington suburb.Roske, 26, had a Glock 17 pistol, ammunition, a knife, zip ties, pepper spray, duct tape and other items that he told police he would use to break into Kavanaugh's house and kill him, according to a criminal complaint and affidavit filed in federal court in Maryland. Roske said he purchased the gun to kill Kavanaugh and that he also would kill himself, the affidavit said.Roske told police he was upset by a leaked draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court is about to overrule Roe v. Wade, the landmark abortion case. He also said he was upset over the school massacre in Uvalde, Texas, and believed Kavanaugh would vote to loosen gun control laws, the affidavit said.The court currently is weighing a challenge to New York's requirements for getting a permit to carry a gun in public, a case that could make it easier to be armed on the streets of New York and other large cities.When he got out of the taxi, Roske was spotted by two U.S. Marshals who are part of round-the-clock security provided to the justices following the leak of the draft opinion last month. But Roske was only apprehended after he called 911 in Montgomery County, Maryland, and said he was having suicidal thoughts and planned to kill Kavanaugh, having found the justice's address online. Roske was still on the phone when Montgomery County police arrived on the scene, according to the affidavit.“This kind of behavior is obviously behavior we will not tolerate,” Attorney General Merrick Garland told reporters Wednesday. “Threats of violence and actual violence against the justices of course strike at the heart of our democracy and we will do everything we can to prevent them and to hold people who do them accountable.”President Joe Biden praised authorities for quickly apprehending the man, deputy White House press secretary Andrew Bates said in an email.There have been protests at the homes of Kavanaugh and other justices, as well as demonstrations at the court, where a security fence rings the building and nearby streets have been closed.A Homeland Security Department report said the draft opinion, leaked in early May, has unleashed a wave of threats against officials and others and increased the likelihood of extremist violence.___WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Wednesday that an armed man who made threats against Justice Brett Kavanaugh was arrested near the justice’s house in Maryland.The man was arrested about 1:50 a.m., court spokeswoman Patricia McCabe said in an email.The California man, in his 20s, was armed with a gun and a knife, according to a law enforcement official. The man, whose identity has not been released, arrived in a taxi early in the morning and told law enforcement officers he wanted to kill Kavanaugh, the official said.The official was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.The Washington Post initially reported the arrest, quoting sources who said the man also was carrying burglary tools. He told police he was upset by a leaked draft opinion suggesting the court is about to overrule Roe v. Wade, the court’s landmark abortion case, the Post reported. He was also said to be upset over recent mass shootings, according to the newspaper.The justices have been provided round-the-clock security at their homes amid concerns about violence following the court’s ultimate decision.There have been protests at Kavanaugh’s house in a Maryland suburb just outside the District of Columbia, and at the homes of other justices, as well as demonstrations at the court, where a security fence rings the building and nearby streets have been closed.

Suspect identified: Armed man arrested near Justice Kavanaugh's house

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A Kansas man was injured when the tractor-trailer rig he was driving struck a cow in northwest Saline County early just before 6a.m. Monday.

Saline County Undersheriff Brent Melander said this morning that the 33-year-old man from Bennington was driving a 1996 Freightliner that was pulling a trailer loaded with corn, according to Saline County Undersheriff Brent Melander. The semi struck a cow near the intersection of N. Brookville Road and Lockard Road.

The tractor-trailer rig then traveled off the road and struck a fence and an Evergy power pole before the entire rig rolled over, spilling the corn.

The driver sustained non-life threatening injuries and sought treatment for those injuries, Melander said. The cow was pronounced dead at the scene.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654713662061.jpeg" alt="The rollover spilled corn in the ditch. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>The rollover spilled corn in the ditch. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA Kansas man was injured when the tractor-trailer rig he was driving struck a cow in northwest Saline County early just before 6a.m. Monday.Saline County Undersheriff Brent Melander said this morning that the 33-year-old man from Bennington was driving a 1996 Freightliner that was pulling a trailer loaded with corn, according to Saline County Undersheriff Brent Melander. The semi struck a cow near the intersection of N. Brookville Road and Lockard Road.The tractor-trailer rig then traveled off the road and struck a fence and an Evergy power pole before the entire rig rolled over, spilling the corn.The driver sustained non-life threatening injuries and sought treatment for those injuries, Melander said. The cow was pronounced dead at the scene.

Semi hauling corn rolls after striking cow on rural Kansas road

By MARGARET MELLOTT <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/06/08/despite-approved-school-security-funding-kansas-leaders-grapple-with-gun-threat/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The sunny Friday of Dec. 14, 2012, became <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/14/lawmakers-must-take-these-actions-to-reduce-kansans-risk-of-dying-from-gun-violence/">one of the most horrifying days</a> in U.S. history when a gunman opened fire at a Connecticut elementary school.

Twenty-six people were killed, 20 of them children.

“I remember going to pick up my own 
kids after Sandy Hook,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a 
Lenexa Democrat. “There was a police car at the elementary school at the
 time, and it just kind of takes your breath away.”

Ten years and dozens of mass shootings later, children are still dying in U.S. classrooms. <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/05/26/another-day-in-america-and-kansas-senseless-murder-of-children-and-a-fifth-grade-graduation/">The shooting last month</a>
 at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, has people across the country 
calling for action — including candidates seeking public office in 
Kansas.

“How could this have happened?” asked
 Joseph Nuci Jr., a Republican candidate for Kansas House District 115, 
from Dodge City. “You know, you’re supposed to have all these barriers 
in line, all these barriers to be able to keep this from happening. And 
they all fell through. You shouldn’t be able to just walk into a 
school.”

In Kansas, funding has been approved to improve both school security and mental health resources for students.

“The Legislature has once again (for 
the fifth year in a row) initiated and approved $5 million in annual 
funding for school-safety grants in the coming year,” wrote Attorney 
General Derek Schmidt in a <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/DerekSchmidtKS/status/1531789589626687488?s=20&amp;t=v6H03k5tIMAhL-w7AGhW5w">Twitter thread</a> following the events in Uvalde.

Schmidt is a Republican gubernatorial
 candidate, running alongside Katie Sawyer, a senior staffer for GOP 
U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall. He will face Democratic incumbent Gov. Laura 
Kelly in the fall.

“As Attorney General, I have long 
worked to support the professionals who keep our kids safe at school,” 
Schmidt continued in the thread. “As the terrible crimes in Uvalde, 
Texas, last week once again reminded our nation, and as the shooting at 
Olathe East High School recently reminded Kansans, school safety is an 
ongoing need we all must continually work together to meet.”

<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/03/04/u-s-senator-state-political-leaders-torn-by-school-shooting-at-olathe-high-school/">On March 4</a>,
 an 18-year-old student brought a gun to Olathe East High School and 
seriously injured an administrator and school resource officer.

In a <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/TomWitt/status/1531803159147986944?s=20&amp;t=v6H03k5tIMAhL-w7AGhW5w">reply</a>
 to Schmidt’s tweets, Thomas Witt, executive director of Equality 
Kansas, said the $5 million in funding isn’t sufficient enough to 
substantially improve school safety.

“There are 1351 school buildings in 
Kansas,” Witt wrote. “$5 million works out to $3701.00 per building. 
Tell me, Mr Attorney General, how far does $3700 get? Spoiler alert: Not
 far.”

Schmidt and Witt weren’t the only two
 who responded to the latest school shooting on Twitter. U.S. Republican
 Sens. Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall of Kansas also shared their 
sympathies.

“Robba and I are heartbroken,” <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JerryMoran/status/1529231463236902912?s=20&amp;t=v6H03k5tIMAhL-w7AGhW5w">Moran tweeted</a>.
 “This is horrifying news and every parent, teacher or community’s 
nightmare. We join all Americans in mourning the lives of the children 
and teacher lost to this senseless act of evil.”

“Absolutely devastated to hear about the 14 children and 1 teacher who died in Texas today,” <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1529231267396366336?s=20&amp;t=v6H03k5tIMAhL-w7AGhW5w">Marshall tweeted.</a> “Our hearts and prayers are with their families during this incredibly difficult time.”

Robert Klingenberg, a Democratic U.S.
 Senate candidate from Salina, said in an interview last week at the 
Secretary of State’s Office that basic needs must be addressed to find 
solutions for school violence.

“What we have to understand is that 
all violence is rooted from socioeconomic conditions,” Klingenberg said.
 “The No. 1 way to prevent school violence is to address those directly.
 So, that can take a lot of different forms — such as providing jobs 
that provide living wages, handling social issues at school, things like
 bullying.”

For Nuci, school safety comes down to
 two things: improving security and allowing teachers the chance to 
carry concealed firearms.

“Put more money into the security 
systems that these schools have, because we have spent a lot of money in
 other ways that should have gone to that,” Nuci said. “And then to 
allow teachers to carry if they feel the need or they have the 
specialized training to be able to allow them to carry.”

Sykes said the goal was not to ignore the Second Amendment but to find middle ground in the Kansas Senate for concrete action.

“In the grand scheme, there are other
 things that are just as unsafe,” Sykes said. “This is highlighted in 
the media. … But it doesn’t mean that we sit by and don’t do anything. 
We have to have the conversation and figure out how we can come to a 
compromise because we don’t want to take away the Second Amendment, but 
we do want to have guardrails to make it safer for our kids.”

Agreeing with Sykes’ sentiments, Nuci said the first step is opening up conversations in the House and listening to each other.

“In politics in general, there is a 
greater good when we can work together,” Nuci said. “And if you’re not 
willing to even open up a conversation then you’re not representing your
 community to the highest of your ability.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654700379876.png" alt="Just a few months ago, Kansans woke up to the news that a gunman had entered Olathe East High School and opened fire. March 4, an 18-year-old student brought a gun to school, seriously injuring an administrator and school resource officer. (Margaret Mellott/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Just a few months ago, Kansans woke up to the news that a gunman had entered Olathe East High School and opened fire. March 4, an 18-year-old student brought a gun to school, seriously injuring an administrator and school resource officer. (Margaret Mellott/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARGARET MELLOTT <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/06/08/despite-approved-school-security-funding-kansas-leaders-grapple-with-gun-threat/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The sunny Friday of Dec. 14, 2012, became <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/14/lawmakers-must-take-these-actions-to-reduce-kansans-risk-of-dying-from-gun-violence/">one of the most horrifying days</a> in U.S. history when a gunman opened fire at a Connecticut elementary school.Twenty-six people were killed, 20 of them children.“I remember going to pick up my own 
kids after Sandy Hook,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a 
Lenexa Democrat. “There was a police car at the elementary school at the
 time, and it just kind of takes your breath away.”Ten years and dozens of mass shootings later, children are still dying in U.S. classrooms. <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/05/26/another-day-in-america-and-kansas-senseless-murder-of-children-and-a-fifth-grade-graduation/">The shooting last month</a>
 at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, has people across the country 
calling for action — including candidates seeking public office in 
Kansas.“How could this have happened?” asked
 Joseph Nuci Jr., a Republican candidate for Kansas House District 115, 
from Dodge City. “You know, you’re supposed to have all these barriers 
in line, all these barriers to be able to keep this from happening. And 
they all fell through. You shouldn’t be able to just walk into a 
school.”In Kansas, funding has been approved to improve both school security and mental health resources for students.“The Legislature has once again (for 
the fifth year in a row) initiated and approved $5 million in annual 
funding for school-safety grants in the coming year,” wrote Attorney 
General Derek Schmidt in a <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/DerekSchmidtKS/status/1531789589626687488?s=20&amp;t=v6H03k5tIMAhL-w7AGhW5w">Twitter thread</a> following the events in Uvalde.Schmidt is a Republican gubernatorial
 candidate, running alongside Katie Sawyer, a senior staffer for GOP 
U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall. He will face Democratic incumbent Gov. Laura 
Kelly in the fall.“As Attorney General, I have long 
worked to support the professionals who keep our kids safe at school,” 
Schmidt continued in the thread. “As the terrible crimes in Uvalde, 
Texas, last week once again reminded our nation, and as the shooting at 
Olathe East High School recently reminded Kansans, school safety is an 
ongoing need we all must continually work together to meet.”<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/03/04/u-s-senator-state-political-leaders-torn-by-school-shooting-at-olathe-high-school/">On March 4</a>,
 an 18-year-old student brought a gun to Olathe East High School and 
seriously injured an administrator and school resource officer.In a <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/TomWitt/status/1531803159147986944?s=20&amp;t=v6H03k5tIMAhL-w7AGhW5w">reply</a>
 to Schmidt’s tweets, Thomas Witt, executive director of Equality 
Kansas, said the $5 million in funding isn’t sufficient enough to 
substantially improve school safety.“There are 1351 school buildings in 
Kansas,” Witt wrote. “$5 million works out to $3701.00 per building. 
Tell me, Mr Attorney General, how far does $3700 get? Spoiler alert: Not
 far.”Schmidt and Witt weren’t the only two
 who responded to the latest school shooting on Twitter. U.S. Republican
 Sens. Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall of Kansas also shared their 
sympathies.“Robba and I are heartbroken,” <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JerryMoran/status/1529231463236902912?s=20&amp;t=v6H03k5tIMAhL-w7AGhW5w">Moran tweeted</a>.
 “This is horrifying news and every parent, teacher or community’s 
nightmare. We join all Americans in mourning the lives of the children 
and teacher lost to this senseless act of evil.”“Absolutely devastated to hear about the 14 children and 1 teacher who died in Texas today,” <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1529231267396366336?s=20&amp;t=v6H03k5tIMAhL-w7AGhW5w">Marshall tweeted.</a> “Our hearts and prayers are with their families during this incredibly difficult time.”Robert Klingenberg, a Democratic U.S.
 Senate candidate from Salina, said in an interview last week at the 
Secretary of State’s Office that basic needs must be addressed to find 
solutions for school violence.“What we have to understand is that 
all violence is rooted from socioeconomic conditions,” Klingenberg said.
 “The No. 1 way to prevent school violence is to address those directly.
 So, that can take a lot of different forms — such as providing jobs 
that provide living wages, handling social issues at school, things like
 bullying.”For Nuci, school safety comes down to
 two things: improving security and allowing teachers the chance to 
carry concealed firearms.“Put more money into the security 
systems that these schools have, because we have spent a lot of money in
 other ways that should have gone to that,” Nuci said. “And then to 
allow teachers to carry if they feel the need or they have the 
specialized training to be able to allow them to carry.”Sykes said the goal was not to ignore the Second Amendment but to find middle ground in the Kansas Senate for concrete action.“In the grand scheme, there are other
 things that are just as unsafe,” Sykes said. “This is highlighted in 
the media. … But it doesn’t mean that we sit by and don’t do anything. 
We have to have the conversation and figure out how we can come to a 
compromise because we don’t want to take away the Second Amendment, but 
we do want to have guardrails to make it safer for our kids.”Agreeing with Sykes’ sentiments, Nuci said the first step is opening up conversations in the House and listening to each other.“In politics in general, there is a 
greater good when we can work together,” Nuci said. “And if you’re not 
willing to even open up a conversation then you’re not representing your
 community to the highest of your ability.”

Despite approved school security funding, Kan. leaders grapple with gun threat

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;4,706 new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Wednesday June 1, to Wednesday June 8, for a total of 793,833 cases.

<a href="https://eaglepost.netlify.app/dashboard/littleapple/posts/e934d6dc-37db-451e-8c65-7278e0aa6cf0">The state reported</a>&nbsp;3 additional COVID-19 deaths in the past week for a total of 8,946.

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

The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;4,706 new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Wednesday June 1, to Wednesday June 8, for a total of 793,833 cases.<a href="https://eaglepost.netlify.app/dashboard/littleapple/posts/e934d6dc-37db-451e-8c65-7278e0aa6cf0">The state reported</a>&nbsp;3 additional COVID-19 deaths in the past week for a total of 8,946.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654707395572.png" alt="Wednesday June 8, 2022-KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday June 8, 2022-KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.Kansas is providing fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.&nbsp;The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.The state continue to support access to free COVID-19 testing, work 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: Latest COVID-19 numbers in Kansas

By LAURI GOLDKIND <a href="https://theconversation.com/therapy-on-the-go-mildly-depressed-or-simply-stressed-people-are-tapping-apps-for-mental-health-care-178389">The Conversation</a>

It might be surprising to think about browsing for therapists and 
ordering up mental health care the way you can peruse a menu on Grubhub 
or summon a car on Lyft.

But over the last decade, digital access to therapy has become 
increasingly common, in some cases replacing the traditional model of 
in-person weekly sessions between a therapist and client.

Apps for mental health and wellness range from mood trackers, 
meditation tools and journals to therapy apps that match users to a 
licensed professional. My team’s research focuses on therapy apps that 
work by matching clients to a licensed professional.

As a <a href="https://www.fordham.edu/info/24281/gss_full-time_faculty_profiles/11298/lauri_goldkind/">social work researcher</a>, I am interested in understanding how these apps <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1044389421997796">affect clients and practitioners</a>.
 My research team has studied the care that app users receive. We have 
talked to therapists who use apps to reach new clients. We’ve also 
analyzed app contracts that mental health professionals sign, as well as
 the agreements clients accept by using the apps.

Real questions persist about how apps are regulated, how to <a href="https://doi.org/10.2196%2F23776">ensure user privacy and care quality</a>
 and how remote therapy can be reimbursed by insurance. While those 
debates continue, people are regularly using apps to connect to 
therapists for help with emotional and mental struggles. And through 
these apps, therapists are interacting with people who may never have 
considered therapy before.

In the first year of the pandemic, rates of depression and anxiety <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/02-03-2022-covid-19-pandemic-triggers-25-increase-in-prevalence-of-anxiety-and-depression-worldwide">increased by 25%</a> worldwide. In a June 2020 survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6932a1.htm">40.9% of respondents reported</a> at least one adverse mental or behavioral health condition, compared to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db380.htm">only 19% in 2018</a>.

The old model of therapy, in which therapists and patients sat face 
to face, was already out of reach for many. In fact, mental health apps 
are a response to the demand from clients seeking more accessible 
therapy services.  

The COVID-19 pandemic turbocharged both trends – the growing need for
 mental health care and using technology to access it. For existing 
mental health clients, stay-at-home orders closed clinics and 
therapists’ offices to in-person visits, resulting in an <a href="https://theconversation.com/covid-19-mental-health-telemedicine-was-off-to-a-slow-start-then-the-pandemic-happened-177670">unprecedented shift to online access to therapy</a>.

Consumer mental health platforms like Better Help, Alma and TalkSpace
 match clients to licensed therapy providers. With advertising on 
television, across social media channels and on highway billboards, the 
apps promote flexibility, convenience and the potential to receive 
support with slogans like “You deserve to be happy” or “Feeling better 
starts with a single call.” 

When app users enter a platform’s online space, its proprietary 
software offers a digital dashboard and communication tools. These 
platforms also promise instant access to a professional therapist, 
immediate responsiveness from them as well as anonymity. 

App users choose a therapist by reviewing a list of providers 
accompanied by thumbnail photos, resume-like bios and consumer reviews. 
Users also choose how they’ll connect with therapists – phone or video 
calls, email, text or some combination. The apps also let clients change
 therapists at any time. 

As the client and their chosen therapist connect and communicate, 
behind the scenes the app collects and maintains records, later 
calculating the chosen therapist’s payment and billing the app user.

Curiously, while mental health app platforms promote themselves as 
providers of mental health services, they actually don’t take <a href="https://www.betterhelp.com/terms/">responsibility for the counseling services they are providing</a>.
 The apps consider therapists to be independent contractors, with the 
platform acting as a matching service. And the apps can help users find a
 more suitable fit if they request it.

But no law or precedent protects consumers or clarifies app users’ 
rights. This differs from face-to-face therapy, in which practitioners 
work under the oversight of state licensing boards and federal law. Some
 of the major therapy apps have been accused of <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/07/technology/talkspace.html">mining client data</a> and <a href="https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/privacynotincluded/betterhelp/">being at risk for data breaches</a>.

Like other virtual spaces, online mental health service domains operate under ever-evolving and localized regulations.

The social workers our team interviewed talked a lot about who can 
benefit from this kind of app-based therapy and – importantly – who 
can’t. For example, the platforms are not set up to treat people with <a href="https://smiadviser.org/about/serious-mental-illness">serious mental illness</a> or mental disorders that substantially interfere with a person’s life, activities and ability to function independently.

Similarly, app-based psychotherapy is not suitable for those having suicidal thoughts. The platforms screen users for <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-do-teens-engage-in-self-harm-clinical-psychologists-explain-how-to-help-teens-reduce-their-emotional-distress-181419">risk of self-harm</a>
 when they sign up. If a client ever poses harm to themselves or someone
 else, user anonymity on the apps makes it almost impossible for a 
therapist to send a crisis response team. App-based practitioners told 
our research team that they sometimes end up monitoring their clients 
for signs of crisis by contacting them through the app more frequently. 
It’s one reason app therapists, who also screen users, sometimes reject 
potential clients who may need a higher level of care.

For those without severe mental illness, app-based therapy may be 
helpful in matching clients with a professional familiar with a range of
 problems and stressors. This makes apps attractive to those with 
anxiety and mild to moderate depression. They also appeal to people who 
wouldn’t ordinarily seek out office-based therapy, but who want help 
with life issues such as marital problems and work-related stress. 

The apps could also be practical and convenient for those who can’t 
or won’t get formal therapy, even remotely, from a mental health clinic 
or office. For instance, the anonymity of apps might appeal to people 
suffering from conditions like social anxiety or agoraphobia, or for 
those individuals who can’t or won’t appear on a video call.  

Therapy apps have helped to normalize the idea that it’s OK to pursue
 mental health treatment through nontraditional routes. And with 
high-profile people such as <a href="https://brandingforum.org/marketing/michael-phelps-talkspace-mental-health/">Michael Phelps</a> and <a href="https://www.elle.com/beauty/a36877443/ariana-grande-better-help-free-therapy/">Ariana Grande</a> partnering with these apps, they might even be on their way to making mental health treatment cool.

Lauri Goldkind is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Fordham University.

By LAURI GOLDKIND <a href="https://theconversation.com/therapy-on-the-go-mildly-depressed-or-simply-stressed-people-are-tapping-apps-for-mental-health-care-178389">The Conversation</a>It might be surprising to think about browsing for therapists and 
ordering up mental health care the way you can peruse a menu on Grubhub 
or summon a car on Lyft.But over the last decade, digital access to therapy has become 
increasingly common, in some cases replacing the traditional model of 
in-person weekly sessions between a therapist and client.Apps for mental health and wellness range from mood trackers, 
meditation tools and journals to therapy apps that match users to a 
licensed professional. My team’s research focuses on therapy apps that 
work by matching clients to a licensed professional.As a <a href="https://www.fordham.edu/info/24281/gss_full-time_faculty_profiles/11298/lauri_goldkind/">social work researcher</a>, I am interested in understanding how these apps <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1044389421997796">affect clients and practitioners</a>.
 My research team has studied the care that app users receive. We have 
talked to therapists who use apps to reach new clients. We’ve also 
analyzed app contracts that mental health professionals sign, as well as
 the agreements clients accept by using the apps.Real questions persist about how apps are regulated, how to <a href="https://doi.org/10.2196%2F23776">ensure user privacy and care quality</a>
 and how remote therapy can be reimbursed by insurance. While those 
debates continue, people are regularly using apps to connect to 
therapists for help with emotional and mental struggles. And through 
these apps, therapists are interacting with people who may never have 
considered therapy before. <h2>A ready-made market</h2>In the first year of the pandemic, rates of depression and anxiety <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/02-03-2022-covid-19-pandemic-triggers-25-increase-in-prevalence-of-anxiety-and-depression-worldwide">increased by 25%</a> worldwide. In a June 2020 survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6932a1.htm">40.9% of respondents reported</a> at least one adverse mental or behavioral health condition, compared to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db380.htm">only 19% in 2018</a>.The old model of therapy, in which therapists and patients sat face 
to face, was already out of reach for many. In fact, mental health apps 
are a response to the demand from clients seeking more accessible 
therapy services. The COVID-19 pandemic turbocharged both trends – the growing need for
 mental health care and using technology to access it. For existing 
mental health clients, stay-at-home orders closed clinics and 
therapists’ offices to in-person visits, resulting in an <a href="https://theconversation.com/covid-19-mental-health-telemedicine-was-off-to-a-slow-start-then-the-pandemic-happened-177670">unprecedented shift to online access to therapy</a>. <h2>How matching apps work</h2>Consumer mental health platforms like Better Help, Alma and TalkSpace
 match clients to licensed therapy providers. With advertising on 
television, across social media channels and on highway billboards, the 
apps promote flexibility, convenience and the potential to receive 
support with slogans like “You deserve to be happy” or “Feeling better 
starts with a single call.” When app users enter a platform’s online space, its proprietary 
software offers a digital dashboard and communication tools. These 
platforms also promise instant access to a professional therapist, 
immediate responsiveness from them as well as anonymity. App users choose a therapist by reviewing a list of providers 
accompanied by thumbnail photos, resume-like bios and consumer reviews. 
Users also choose how they’ll connect with therapists – phone or video 
calls, email, text or some combination. The apps also let clients change
 therapists at any time. As the client and their chosen therapist connect and communicate, 
behind the scenes the app collects and maintains records, later 
calculating the chosen therapist’s payment and billing the app user.<h2>Apps and their risks</h2>Curiously, while mental health app platforms promote themselves as 
providers of mental health services, they actually don’t take <a href="https://www.betterhelp.com/terms/">responsibility for the counseling services they are providing</a>.
 The apps consider therapists to be independent contractors, with the 
platform acting as a matching service. And the apps can help users find a
 more suitable fit if they request it.But no law or precedent protects consumers or clarifies app users’ 
rights. This differs from face-to-face therapy, in which practitioners 
work under the oversight of state licensing boards and federal law. Some
 of the major therapy apps have been accused of <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/07/technology/talkspace.html">mining client data</a> and <a href="https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/privacynotincluded/betterhelp/">being at risk for data breaches</a>. Like other virtual spaces, online mental health service domains operate under ever-evolving and localized regulations.<h2>Who benefits from these apps?</h2>The social workers our team interviewed talked a lot about who can 
benefit from this kind of app-based therapy and – importantly – who 
can’t. For example, the platforms are not set up to treat people with <a href="https://smiadviser.org/about/serious-mental-illness">serious mental illness</a> or mental disorders that substantially interfere with a person’s life, activities and ability to function independently. Similarly, app-based psychotherapy is not suitable for those having suicidal thoughts. The platforms screen users for <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-do-teens-engage-in-self-harm-clinical-psychologists-explain-how-to-help-teens-reduce-their-emotional-distress-181419">risk of self-harm</a>
 when they sign up. If a client ever poses harm to themselves or someone
 else, user anonymity on the apps makes it almost impossible for a 
therapist to send a crisis response team. App-based practitioners told 
our research team that they sometimes end up monitoring their clients 
for signs of crisis by contacting them through the app more frequently. 
It’s one reason app therapists, who also screen users, sometimes reject 
potential clients who may need a higher level of care.For those without severe mental illness, app-based therapy may be 
helpful in matching clients with a professional familiar with a range of
 problems and stressors. This makes apps attractive to those with 
anxiety and mild to moderate depression. They also appeal to people who 
wouldn’t ordinarily seek out office-based therapy, but who want help 
with life issues such as marital problems and work-related stress. The apps could also be practical and convenient for those who can’t 
or won’t get formal therapy, even remotely, from a mental health clinic 
or office. For instance, the anonymity of apps might appeal to people 
suffering from conditions like social anxiety or agoraphobia, or for 
those individuals who can’t or won’t appear on a video call. Therapy apps have helped to normalize the idea that it’s OK to pursue
 mental health treatment through nontraditional routes. And with 
high-profile people such as <a href="https://brandingforum.org/marketing/michael-phelps-talkspace-mental-health/">Michael Phelps</a> and <a href="https://www.elle.com/beauty/a36877443/ariana-grande-better-help-free-therapy/">Ariana Grande</a> partnering with these apps, they might even be on their way to making mental health treatment cool.<div><iframe src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/178389/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" width="1" height="1"></iframe></div>Lauri Goldkind is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Fordham University.

Therapy on the go: People are tapping apps for mental health care

KANSAS CITY —Last week KCKPD Narcotics unit seized approximately 15,000 counterfeit pills laced with deadly fentanyl.

On June 1, detectives&nbsp;served a warrant on a home and seized approximately 6,000 counterfeit prescription pills laced with fentanyl. Officers also found cocaine, marijuana and firearms.

The next day, officers discovered approximately 9,000 more fentanyl laced pills, cocaine and two additional firearms in a vehicle seized during the operation. The drug operation was run out of a home that looks like any other home on the block, according to police.

Police encouraged the public to take a close look at the pills. They are made to look exactly like the ones you would get from a pharmacy but contain lethal amounts of fentanyl- a drug fifty times stronger than heroin and one hundred times stronger than morphine. Once inhaled or ingested the overdose can occur within seconds to minutes.

The signs of overdose include: lips turning blue, gurgling sounds with breathing, stiffening of the body of seizure-like activity, foaming of the mouth and confusion or strange behavior before the individual loses consciousness.

There have been 61 overdoses and 11 overdose deaths in 2022, according to the KCPD.

If you are with someone who exhibits these symptoms, call 911 immediately.&nbsp;

These pills could have ended up in your neighborhood. Report any suspected drug activity to the narcotics hotline 913-573-6287.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654696902237.png" alt="Photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Last week KCKPD Narcotics unit seized approximately 15,000 counterfeit pills laced with deadly fentanyl.On June 1, detectives&nbsp;served a warrant on a home and seized approximately 6,000 counterfeit prescription pills laced with fentanyl. Officers also found cocaine, marijuana and firearms.The next day, officers discovered approximately 9,000 more fentanyl laced pills, cocaine and two additional firearms in a vehicle seized during the operation. The drug operation was run out of a home that looks like any other home on the block, according to police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654696883622.png" alt="photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>Police encouraged the public to take a close look at the pills. They are made to look exactly like the ones you would get from a pharmacy but contain lethal amounts of fentanyl- a drug fifty times stronger than heroin and one hundred times stronger than morphine. Once inhaled or ingested the overdose can occur within seconds to minutes.The signs of overdose include: lips turning blue, gurgling sounds with breathing, stiffening of the body of seizure-like activity, foaming of the mouth and confusion or strange behavior before the individual loses consciousness.There have been 61 overdoses and 11 overdose deaths in 2022, according to the KCPD.If you are with someone who exhibits these symptoms, call 911 immediately.&nbsp;These pills could have ended up in your neighborhood. Report any suspected drug activity to the narcotics hotline 913-573-6287.

Police seize 15,000 counterfeit pills with fentanyl in Kansas bust

WASHINGTON (AP) — Curbing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">abortion rights</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-new-york-gun-violence-election-2020-bf167e705025d16e986de758599224f3">expanding the right to be armed in public</a>&nbsp;are long-sought goals of the conservative legal movement that the Supreme Court seems poised to deliver within the next month.

The justices also could ease the use of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-religion-education-discrimination-maine-f2cbb97e82217685eb3f9cd2c4ee7079">public funds for religious schooling</a>&nbsp;and constrain Biden administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-joe-biden-us-supreme-court-business-health-5e6f74672e116f977d5f20d7c3e29ddf">efforts to fight climate change</a>.

These disputes are among 30 cases the court still has to resolve before it takes an extended summer break, typically around the end of June. That’s a large, though not unprecedented, haul for the court at this point in its term.

June typically is a tense time at the court, where justices are racing to put the final touches on the most controversial cases. But this year, the tension seems to be even greater, with a potentially historic abortion ruling and in the aftermath of a leaked draft opinion that seems to have led to discord inside the court and heightened security concerns.

At least one of the 30 remaining cases will be decided on Wednesday, the court indicated on its website.

The pace of the court’s work has been slower than usual, and it’s unclear how much that has to do with a leaked draft opinion suggesting a conservative majority will overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision on abortion rights and for the first time strip away an individual constitutional right.

The leak occurred in early May and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/clarence-thomas">Justice Clarence Thomas</a>&nbsp;has suggested the breach of the court’s confidential opinion-drafting process has done serious damage to the court. “You begin to look over your shoulder,” Thomas said last month at a conference in Dallas.

With three appointees of former President Donald Trump, the court now has a 6-3 conservative majority, and abortion opponents might consider anything less than the overruling of Roe and the 1992 Planned Parenthood v. Casey decision that affirmed the right to end a pregnancy a bitter defeat.

But even short of explicitly jettisoning the abortion cases, the court is on the verge of dramatically weakening abortion rights. At issue in the case is a Mississippi law that bans abortion after the 15th week of pregnancy, far earlier than the court has previously indicated states can prohibit abortions.

Even before the leak of the draft opinion, the court seemed poised based on arguments in December to uphold the Mississippi law at the very least.

Arguments in November in a case over New York’s gun permit requirements also strongly suggested the court would make it easier to carry a gun in public, a decision that could affect many of the nation’s largest cities.

It’s not clear whether a series of mass shootings in recent weeks has had any effect on the court’s deliberations, or when to release the decision in the New York case.

Among the other significant cases awaiting decisions is a challenge from Republican-led states and coal companies that could hamstring the administration’s efforts to reduce climate-warming carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. President Joe Biden has set an ambitious goal of slashing planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, and power plants account for roughly 30% of carbon dioxide output.

The justices also could rule any day in a lawsuit over a Maine program that offers tuition aid for private education, but excludes religious schools. The decision could ease religious organizations’ access to taxpayer money and fuel a renewed push for school choice programs in some of the 18 states that have so far have not directed taxpayer money to private, religious education.

The court has been mum on the internal investigation Chief Justice John Roberts ordered the day after the leak and assigned to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-leak-investigation-gail-curley-48623ac2a3bafe36f39bbf5f68257dbf">Gail Curley</a>, the marshal of the court.

But CNN has reported that Curley is seeking affidavits and cellphone records from the justices’ law clerks. Competing theories on the left and right have suggested the leaker probably comes from among the 37 clerks, four for each justice plus one for the retired Anthony Kennedy.

The court could examine government-owned cellphones and email accounts, said lawyer Mark Zaid, who frequently represents government whistleblowers. But it couldn’t compel clerks to turn over personal devices or provide access to their own phones without a warrant, Zaid said.

But other lawyers have said the clerks, many who will become leaders in the legal profession, should willingly talk to the court’s investigators.

Zaid and others said clerks should talk to an attorney before agreeing to anything.

Before COVID-19 changed things, the court would announce its opinions in public sessions in the courtroom that sometimes produced moments of high drama. In especially closely watched cases, justices on both sides would read summaries of their dueling opinions.

But the courthouse remains closed to the public and, since shortly after the draft abortion opinion appeared, the court has been ringed by an eight-foot barrier and the streets closest to the building also have been closed to vehicles.

Barring a change, the opinions in the abortion and guns cases will be posted online, giving the public quick access, but affording no chance to hear justices state their views.

The justices like to get their work done by the end of June, though they issued their final opinions in early July the past two years. Summer teaching obligations often drive the need to get out of town. This year, it appears that only one justice has a teaching-related deadline. A George Mason University law school program in Padua, Italy, is advertising that Justice Neil Gorsuch will take part.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Curbing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">abortion rights</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-new-york-gun-violence-election-2020-bf167e705025d16e986de758599224f3">expanding the right to be armed in public</a>&nbsp;are long-sought goals of the conservative legal movement that the Supreme Court seems poised to deliver within the next month.The justices also could ease the use of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-religion-education-discrimination-maine-f2cbb97e82217685eb3f9cd2c4ee7079">public funds for religious schooling</a>&nbsp;and constrain Biden administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-joe-biden-us-supreme-court-business-health-5e6f74672e116f977d5f20d7c3e29ddf">efforts to fight climate change</a>.These disputes are among 30 cases the court still has to resolve before it takes an extended summer break, typically around the end of June. That’s a large, though not unprecedented, haul for the court at this point in its term.June typically is a tense time at the court, where justices are racing to put the final touches on the most controversial cases. But this year, the tension seems to be even greater, with a potentially historic abortion ruling and in the aftermath of a leaked draft opinion that seems to have led to discord inside the court and heightened security concerns.At least one of the 30 remaining cases will be decided on Wednesday, the court indicated on its website.___SLOWER THAN USUALThe pace of the court’s work has been slower than usual, and it’s unclear how much that has to do with a leaked draft opinion suggesting a conservative majority will overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision on abortion rights and for the first time strip away an individual constitutional right.The leak occurred in early May and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/clarence-thomas">Justice Clarence Thomas</a>&nbsp;has suggested the breach of the court’s confidential opinion-drafting process has done serious damage to the court. “You begin to look over your shoulder,” Thomas said last month at a conference in Dallas.___ABORTION AND GUNSWith three appointees of former President Donald Trump, the court now has a 6-3 conservative majority, and abortion opponents might consider anything less than the overruling of Roe and the 1992 Planned Parenthood v. Casey decision that affirmed the right to end a pregnancy a bitter defeat.But even short of explicitly jettisoning the abortion cases, the court is on the verge of dramatically weakening abortion rights. At issue in the case is a Mississippi law that bans abortion after the 15th week of pregnancy, far earlier than the court has previously indicated states can prohibit abortions.Even before the leak of the draft opinion, the court seemed poised based on arguments in December to uphold the Mississippi law at the very least.Arguments in November in a case over New York’s gun permit requirements also strongly suggested the court would make it easier to carry a gun in public, a decision that could affect many of the nation’s largest cities.It’s not clear whether a series of mass shootings in recent weeks has had any effect on the court’s deliberations, or when to release the decision in the New York case.___RELIGION, ENVIRONMENTAmong the other significant cases awaiting decisions is a challenge from Republican-led states and coal companies that could hamstring the administration’s efforts to reduce climate-warming carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. President Joe Biden has set an ambitious goal of slashing planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, and power plants account for roughly 30% of carbon dioxide output.The justices also could rule any day in a lawsuit over a Maine program that offers tuition aid for private education, but excludes religious schools. The decision could ease religious organizations’ access to taxpayer money and fuel a renewed push for school choice programs in some of the 18 states that have so far have not directed taxpayer money to private, religious education.___LEAK INVESTIGATIONThe court has been mum on the internal investigation Chief Justice John Roberts ordered the day after the leak and assigned to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-leak-investigation-gail-curley-48623ac2a3bafe36f39bbf5f68257dbf">Gail Curley</a>, the marshal of the court.But CNN has reported that Curley is seeking affidavits and cellphone records from the justices’ law clerks. Competing theories on the left and right have suggested the leaker probably comes from among the 37 clerks, four for each justice plus one for the retired Anthony Kennedy.The court could examine government-owned cellphones and email accounts, said lawyer Mark Zaid, who frequently represents government whistleblowers. But it couldn’t compel clerks to turn over personal devices or provide access to their own phones without a warrant, Zaid said.But other lawyers have said the clerks, many who will become leaders in the legal profession, should willingly talk to the court’s investigators.Zaid and others said clerks should talk to an attorney before agreeing to anything.___NO AUDIENCE, NO PERFORMANCEBefore COVID-19 changed things, the court would announce its opinions in public sessions in the courtroom that sometimes produced moments of high drama. In especially closely watched cases, justices on both sides would read summaries of their dueling opinions.But the courthouse remains closed to the public and, since shortly after the draft abortion opinion appeared, the court has been ringed by an eight-foot barrier and the streets closest to the building also have been closed to vehicles.Barring a change, the opinions in the abortion and guns cases will be posted online, giving the public quick access, but affording no chance to hear justices state their views.___DEADLINESThe justices like to get their work done by the end of June, though they issued their final opinions in early July the past two years. Summer teaching obligations often drive the need to get out of town. This year, it appears that only one justice has a teaching-related deadline. A George Mason University law school program in Padua, Italy, is advertising that Justice Neil Gorsuch will take part.

30 cases in a month: Abortion, guns top justices' to-do list

ATLANTA (AP) — Todd and Julie Chrisley, stars of the reality television show “Chrisley Knows Best,” have been found guilty in Atlanta on federal charges including bank fraud and tax evasion. 

The Chrisleys were initially indicted in August 2019, and the trial began three weeks ago. 

The U.S. attorney's office in Atlanta said a jury found the pair guilty of all charges Tuesday. 

Prosecutors say the stars of “Chrisley Knows Best” submitted false documents to banks to get loans and failed to pay federal income taxes for multiple years. 

An accountant who worked for them also was found guilty. Sentencing for all three is set for Oct. 6.

ATLANTA (AP) — Todd and Julie Chrisley, stars of the reality television show “Chrisley Knows Best,” have been found guilty in Atlanta on federal charges including bank fraud and tax evasion. The Chrisleys were initially indicted in August 2019, and the trial began three weeks ago. The U.S. attorney's office in Atlanta said a jury found the pair guilty of all charges Tuesday. Prosecutors say the stars of “Chrisley Knows Best” submitted false documents to banks to get loans and failed to pay federal income taxes for multiple years. An accountant who worked for them also was found guilty. Sentencing for all three is set for Oct. 6.

Todd and Julie Chrisley found guilty on federal charges

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering nationwide waivers to increase access to infant formula for families in need as states receive and distribute imported infant formula made available by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/06/01/president-biden-announces-fourth-operation-fly-formula-mission/">Biden-Harris Administration’s Operation Fly Formula</a>, according to a media release from the agency.

USDA is leveraging new authority from the recently passed Access to Baby Formula Act to offer this flexibility.

“USDA is committed to providing our WIC families with nutritious foods, and while we continue working with our many partners to bring the infant formula shortages to a speedy conclusion, we’re also going to keep looking for ways to help families here and now,” said Stacy Dean, USDA’s deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services. “We’re maximizing flexibility, encouraging action, and providing ongoing support so we can all overcome this obstacle together.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653517823167.png" alt="First Lady Dr. Jill Biden welcomed&nbsp; a shipment of 120,000 pounds of baby formula to the United States last month." />
 <figcaption>First Lady Dr. Jill Biden welcomed&nbsp; a shipment of 120,000 pounds of baby formula to the United States last month.</figcaption>
 </figure>Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering nationwide waivers to increase access to infant formula for families in need as states receive and distribute imported infant formula made available by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/06/01/president-biden-announces-fourth-operation-fly-formula-mission/">Biden-Harris Administration’s Operation Fly Formula</a>, according to a media release from the agency.USDA is leveraging new authority from the recently passed Access to Baby Formula Act to offer this flexibility.“USDA is committed to providing our WIC families with nutritious foods, and while we continue working with our many partners to bring the infant formula shortages to a speedy conclusion, we’re also going to keep looking for ways to help families here and now,” said Stacy Dean, USDA’s deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services. “We’re maximizing flexibility, encouraging action, and providing ongoing support so we can all overcome this obstacle together.”The action builds on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/infant-formula-waiver-status">existing flexibilities</a>&nbsp;to provide widest access to available infant formula for WIC families. Within days of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/ofs/infant-formula-safety">recall</a>, USDA offered WIC state agencies waivers to maximize formula options for WIC participants and ensure they could exchange or return any recalled formula. To date, USDA has approved well over 250 state waiver requests.In addition, Food and Nutrition Service recently&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/news-item/usda-0113.22">encouraged state agencies</a>&nbsp;to work with their infant formula manufacturers to identify and implement temporary flexibility in their contracts to allow WIC participants to purchase alternate sizes, forms, or brands of infant formula during the ongoing shortage. North Carolina and its formula manufacturer, Nestle Gerber, are the first to have put this into action by agreeing to a contract modification that expands access to formula for WIC participants in the state.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653255522967.png" alt="White House photo" />
 <figcaption>White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>“When formula supply began to tighten, we looked at all avenues to ensure safe and nutritious options for North Carolina babies and families,” said North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “We immediately began working with our federal partners and with our contracted WIC manufacturer, Nestle Gerber, to give families in the WIC program the flexibility to choose different sizes, types and brands of formula during the shortage. We negotiated and implemented these changes as quickly as possible to relieve some of the stress that WIC-participating families felt.”Food and Nutrition Service is encouraged by the action taken by North Carolina. “We are grateful for the leadership and teamwork of North Carolina and Nestle Gerber to increase formula access for WIC families in their state,” said Dean. The agency recently shared best practices with WIC state agencies to help them establish contract flexibilities that will help WIC participants access the formula they need.USDA continues to work closely with&nbsp;<a href="https://hhs.gov/formula">HHS</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-important-steps-improve-supply-infant-and-specialty-formula-products">FDA</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/18/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-new-actions-to-address-infant-formula-shortage/">administration</a>&nbsp;to support WIC families through this challenging time and to bring to a swift end to the shortage. Recent USDA actions include:<ul>
 <li>Coordinating cross-government to rapidly transport safe specialty formulas into the country for babies with special medical needs through&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/19/biden-administration-approves-first-operation-fly-formula-mission/">Operation Fly Formula</a>. More shipments, including regular formula, are on the way in the coming days.</li><li>Calling on states to take advantage of all available WIC flexibilities that could help those they serve. Since May 13, when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/state-director-letter-infant-formula">USDA wrote to state health commissioners</a>&nbsp;on this issue, more than 50 new waivers have been requested and approved, with all 50 states now offering at least one flexibility to help WIC families get the formula they need.</li><li>Engaging directly with WIC stakeholders including holding multiple listening sessions to better understand current needs and concerns.</li>
 </ul>USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service leverages its 15 nutrition assistance programs to ensure that children, low-income individuals, and families have opportunities for a better future through equitable access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food, while building a more resilient food system. Under the leadership of Secretary Tom Vilsack, FNS is fighting to end food and nutrition insecurity for all through programs such as SNAP, school meals, and WIC. FNS also provides science-based nutrition recommendations through the co-development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. To learn more, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/">www.fns.usda.gov</a>&nbsp;and follow&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/USDANutrition">@USDANutrition</a>.Additional resources:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/formula/">Addressing the Infant Formula Shortage | The White House</a></li><li><a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/flexibilities-formula-enforcement-discretion">Additional WIC Flexibilities - Imported Infant Formula under FDA's Infant Formula Enforcement Discretion | Food and Nutrition Service (usda.gov)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/state-health-commissioner-letter-june">Follow-up Letter to State Health Commissioners | Food and Nutrition Service (usda.gov)</a></li>
 </ul>