LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas teenager has been sentenced to life in prison in the shooting death of a 12-year-old boy during a botched gun deal. WDAF-TV reports that a jury convicted 18-year-old Jaylen LaRon Johnson of Kansas City, Kansas, of first-degree murder last month. 

Sentencing was Friday. Prosecutors say Johnson and two other men drove to Leavenworth to purchase a gun on April 14, 2021. 

The sellers allegedly sold a BB gun to one of Johnson’s friends. Authorities say Johnson began shooting when he realized it wasn’t the gun they wanted. Eleven bullets struck the seller’s car. Twelve-year-old Brian Henderson Jr. was in the backseat and died in the shooting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655569171944.png" alt="Johnson-photo Leavenworth Co." />
 <figcaption>Johnson-photo Leavenworth Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas teenager has been sentenced to life in prison in the shooting death of a 12-year-old boy during a botched gun deal. WDAF-TV reports that a jury convicted 18-year-old Jaylen LaRon Johnson of Kansas City, Kansas, of first-degree murder last month. Sentencing was Friday. Prosecutors say Johnson and two other men drove to Leavenworth to purchase a gun on April 14, 2021. The sellers allegedly sold a BB gun to one of Johnson’s friends. Authorities say Johnson began shooting when he realized it wasn’t the gun they wanted. Eleven bullets struck the seller’s car. Twelve-year-old Brian Henderson Jr. was in the backseat and died in the shooting.

Kan. teen sentenced in botched gun deal killing of 12-year-old

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Jan. 6 committee has heard chilling, tearful testimony that Donald Trump’s relentless pressure to overturn the 2020 presidential election led to widespread threats against local workers and state officials.

The panel focused Tuesday on the “heroes” of American democracy — election workers and officials who fended off the defeated president’s demands. The committee is focused on Trump's schemes to reject state tallies and electors, all fueled by his false claims of election fraud. 

It heard from Arizona’s Republican state House Speaker Rusty Bowers and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger about phone call pressure from Trump, including Trump’s call asking the Georgia official to “find 11,780” votes to prevent Joe Biden’s election victory and others.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">House 1/6 committee</a>&nbsp;is set to hear from the caretakers of American democracy — elections workers and local officials — who fended off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-ivanka-trump-presidential-elections-government-and-politics-election-2020-ff7e4c0559ac4d983d9d06e168d5f7d4">Donald Trump’s pressure to overturn the 2020 presidential election</a>, at times despite frightening personal attacks.

The hearings investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the U.S. Capitol resume Tuesday with a focus on Trump’s relentless effort to undo Joe Biden’s victory in the most local way — by leaning on officials in key battleground states to reject ballots outright or to submit alternative electors for the final tally in Congress. The pressure was fueled by the defeated president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-ivanka-trump-biden-voting-elections-1ccfd89df6868911d934529b9e47d6c8">false claims of voter fraud</a>&nbsp;which, the panel says, led directly to the riot at the Capitol.

Embattled Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is scheduled to testify about Trump’s phone call asking him to “find 11,780” votes that could flip the state to prevent Biden’s election victory.

Raffensperger, with his deputy Gabe Sterling and Arizona’s Republican state House Speaker Rusty Bowers, are scheduled to be key witnesses, along with Wandrea “Shay” Moss, a former Georgia election worker who, with her mother, have said they faced such severe public harassment from Trump allies they felt unable to live normal lives.

“I’m appalled at what I saw,” Bowers said in an interview Monday with The Associated Press after arriving in Washington. “I think it illuminates something we need to see big time, and take stock of ourselves. And I hope it would sober us.”

The hearing, the fourth by the panel this month, stems from its yearlong investigation into Trump’s unprecedented attempt to remain in power, a sprawling scheme that the chairman of the Jan. 6 committee has likened to an “attempted coup.”

Tuesday’s focus will review how Trump was repeatedly told his pressure campaign could potentially cause violence against the local officials and their families but pursued it anyway, according to a select committee aide. And it will underscore that fallout from Trump’s lies continues to this day, with elections officers facing ongoing public harassment and political challengers trying to take over their jobs.

While the committee cannot charge Trump with any crimes, the Justice Department is watching the panel’s work closely. Trump’s actions in Georgia are also the subject of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-georgia-atlanta-presidential-3bc4ae72555ee3f22a13554d9b27d240">grand jury investigation</a>, with the district attorney expected to announce findings this year.

“We will show during a hearing what the president’s role was in trying to get states to name alternate slates of electors, how that scheme depended initially on hopes that the legislatures would reconvene and bless it,” Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., told the Los Angeles Times on Monday.

Schiff, who will lead much of Tuesday’s session, said the hearing will also dig into the “intimate role” the White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, had in the plot to pressure Georgia state legislators and elections officials.

Raffensperger, Georgia’s top election official, rebuffed Trump’s request that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-georgia-elections-a7b4aa4d8ce3bf52301ddbe620c6bff6">“find” enough votes</a>&nbsp;to overturn Biden’s win in the state — a request caught on tape during a phone call days before the Jan. 6 attack.

During the call, Trump repeatedly cited disproven claims of fraud and raised the prospect of a “criminal offense” if Georgia officials did not change the vote count. The state had counted its votes three times before certifying Biden’s win by a 11,779 margin.

The public testimony from Raffensperger comes weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-georgia-atlanta-presidential-3bc4ae72555ee3f22a13554d9b27d240">he appeared before a special grand jury in Georgia</a>&nbsp;investigating whether Trump and others illegally tried to intervene in the state’s 2020 election, and after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-georgia-primary-raffensperger-hice-fb73b1cdce296923dfae1e9ce795efef">Raffensperger beat a Trump-backed challenger</a>&nbsp;in last month’s primary election.

Sterling, Raffensperger’s chief operating officer, became a notable figure in Georgia’s long post-election counting, and recounting, of the presidential ballots, with his regular updates often broadcast live to a divided nation. At one point, the soft-spoken Republican implored Americans to tone down the heated rhetoric.

“Death threats, physical threats, intimidation — it’s too much, it’s not right,” he said.

Bowers is expected to discuss the pressure he faced to overturn Arizona’s results — requests from Trump advisers that the Republican state leader on Monday called “juvenile.”

In an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-capitol-siege-biden-presidential-election-2020-5f0f2eeae477437a5fed9fffe9ce286a">interview with the AP</a>&nbsp;after arriving in Washington ahead of the hearing, Bowers said he is expected to be asked about a call with Trump during which lawyer Rudy Giuliani floated an idea to replace Arizona’s electors with those who would vote for Trump.

Bowers also revealed a second phone call with Trump in December 2020 that he said was mainly small talk, although Trump also referenced their first conversation.

Moss, who had worked for the Fulton County elections department since 2012, and her mother, Ruby Freeman, a temporary election worker,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elections-new-york-lawsuits-new-york-city-donald-trump-33cdb4e73a5091a1299c49a553d4109d">filed a defamation lawsuit</a>&nbsp;in December 2021. Moss claimed conservative outlet One America News Network and Giuliani falsely spread allegations that she and her mother engaged in ballot fraud during the election. The case against OAN&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-lawsuits-georgia-atlanta-ba0a5021564d1377c394a3b4d8e554fb">has since been dismissed</a>&nbsp;with a settlement.

Both Bowers and Moss, along with Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., the panel’s vice chair, were among recipients of this year’s John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage award “for their courage to protect and defend democracy.”

The select committee also plans to untangle the elaborate “fake electors” scheme that sought to have representatives in as many as seven battlegrounds — Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada and New Mexico — sign certificates falsely stating that Trump, not Biden, had won their states.

Conservative law professor John Eastman, a lawyer for Trump,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-biden-elections-government-and-politics-presidential-42911f613bee85913dcbcbaeed096b2c">pushed the fake electors</a>&nbsp;in the weeks after the election. Trump and Eastman convened hundreds of electors on a call on Jan. 2, 2021, encouraging them to send alternative slates from their states where Trump’s team was claiming fraud.

The fake electors idea was designed to set up a challenge on Jan. 6, 2021 when Congress met in joint session, with Vice President Mike Pence presiding over what is typically a ceremonial role to accept the states’ vote tallies. But the effort collapsed, as Pence refused Trump’s repeated demands that he simply halt the certification of Biden’s win — a power he believed he did not possess in his purely ceremonial role.

At least 20 people in connection with the fake electors scheme were subpoenaed by the House panel. The committee says it will also show that it has gathered enough evidence through its more than 1,000 interviews and tens of thousands of documents to connect the varying efforts to overturn the election directly to Trump.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Jan. 6 committee has heard chilling, tearful testimony that Donald Trump’s relentless pressure to overturn the 2020 presidential election led to widespread threats against local workers and state officials.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xa43_z_82Og" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The panel focused Tuesday on the “heroes” of American democracy — election workers and officials who fended off the defeated president’s demands. The committee is focused on Trump's schemes to reject state tallies and electors, all fueled by his false claims of election fraud. It heard from Arizona’s Republican state House Speaker Rusty Bowers and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger about phone call pressure from Trump, including Trump’s call asking the Georgia official to “find 11,780” votes to prevent Joe Biden’s election victory and others.-------WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">House 1/6 committee</a>&nbsp;is set to hear from the caretakers of American democracy — elections workers and local officials — who fended off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-ivanka-trump-presidential-elections-government-and-politics-election-2020-ff7e4c0559ac4d983d9d06e168d5f7d4">Donald Trump’s pressure to overturn the 2020 presidential election</a>, at times despite frightening personal attacks.The hearings investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the U.S. Capitol resume Tuesday with a focus on Trump’s relentless effort to undo Joe Biden’s victory in the most local way — by leaning on officials in key battleground states to reject ballots outright or to submit alternative electors for the final tally in Congress. The pressure was fueled by the defeated president’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-ivanka-trump-biden-voting-elections-1ccfd89df6868911d934529b9e47d6c8">false claims of voter fraud</a>&nbsp;which, the panel says, led directly to the riot at the Capitol.Embattled Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is scheduled to testify about Trump’s phone call asking him to “find 11,780” votes that could flip the state to prevent Biden’s election victory.Raffensperger, with his deputy Gabe Sterling and Arizona’s Republican state House Speaker Rusty Bowers, are scheduled to be key witnesses, along with Wandrea “Shay” Moss, a former Georgia election worker who, with her mother, have said they faced such severe public harassment from Trump allies they felt unable to live normal lives.“I’m appalled at what I saw,” Bowers said in an interview Monday with The Associated Press after arriving in Washington. “I think it illuminates something we need to see big time, and take stock of ourselves. And I hope it would sober us.”The hearing, the fourth by the panel this month, stems from its yearlong investigation into Trump’s unprecedented attempt to remain in power, a sprawling scheme that the chairman of the Jan. 6 committee has likened to an “attempted coup.”Tuesday’s focus will review how Trump was repeatedly told his pressure campaign could potentially cause violence against the local officials and their families but pursued it anyway, according to a select committee aide. And it will underscore that fallout from Trump’s lies continues to this day, with elections officers facing ongoing public harassment and political challengers trying to take over their jobs.While the committee cannot charge Trump with any crimes, the Justice Department is watching the panel’s work closely. Trump’s actions in Georgia are also the subject of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-georgia-atlanta-presidential-3bc4ae72555ee3f22a13554d9b27d240">grand jury investigation</a>, with the district attorney expected to announce findings this year.“We will show during a hearing what the president’s role was in trying to get states to name alternate slates of electors, how that scheme depended initially on hopes that the legislatures would reconvene and bless it,” Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., told the Los Angeles Times on Monday.Schiff, who will lead much of Tuesday’s session, said the hearing will also dig into the “intimate role” the White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, had in the plot to pressure Georgia state legislators and elections officials.Raffensperger, Georgia’s top election official, rebuffed Trump’s request that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-georgia-elections-a7b4aa4d8ce3bf52301ddbe620c6bff6">“find” enough votes</a>&nbsp;to overturn Biden’s win in the state — a request caught on tape during a phone call days before the Jan. 6 attack.During the call, Trump repeatedly cited disproven claims of fraud and raised the prospect of a “criminal offense” if Georgia officials did not change the vote count. The state had counted its votes three times before certifying Biden’s win by a 11,779 margin.The public testimony from Raffensperger comes weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-georgia-atlanta-presidential-3bc4ae72555ee3f22a13554d9b27d240">he appeared before a special grand jury in Georgia</a>&nbsp;investigating whether Trump and others illegally tried to intervene in the state’s 2020 election, and after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-georgia-primary-raffensperger-hice-fb73b1cdce296923dfae1e9ce795efef">Raffensperger beat a Trump-backed challenger</a>&nbsp;in last month’s primary election.Sterling, Raffensperger’s chief operating officer, became a notable figure in Georgia’s long post-election counting, and recounting, of the presidential ballots, with his regular updates often broadcast live to a divided nation. At one point, the soft-spoken Republican implored Americans to tone down the heated rhetoric.“Death threats, physical threats, intimidation — it’s too much, it’s not right,” he said.Bowers is expected to discuss the pressure he faced to overturn Arizona’s results — requests from Trump advisers that the Republican state leader on Monday called “juvenile.”In an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-capitol-siege-biden-presidential-election-2020-5f0f2eeae477437a5fed9fffe9ce286a">interview with the AP</a>&nbsp;after arriving in Washington ahead of the hearing, Bowers said he is expected to be asked about a call with Trump during which lawyer Rudy Giuliani floated an idea to replace Arizona’s electors with those who would vote for Trump.Bowers also revealed a second phone call with Trump in December 2020 that he said was mainly small talk, although Trump also referenced their first conversation.Moss, who had worked for the Fulton County elections department since 2012, and her mother, Ruby Freeman, a temporary election worker,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elections-new-york-lawsuits-new-york-city-donald-trump-33cdb4e73a5091a1299c49a553d4109d">filed a defamation lawsuit</a>&nbsp;in December 2021. Moss claimed conservative outlet One America News Network and Giuliani falsely spread allegations that she and her mother engaged in ballot fraud during the election. The case against OAN&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-lawsuits-georgia-atlanta-ba0a5021564d1377c394a3b4d8e554fb">has since been dismissed</a>&nbsp;with a settlement.Both Bowers and Moss, along with Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., the panel’s vice chair, were among recipients of this year’s John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage award “for their courage to protect and defend democracy.”The select committee also plans to untangle the elaborate “fake electors” scheme that sought to have representatives in as many as seven battlegrounds — Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada and New Mexico — sign certificates falsely stating that Trump, not Biden, had won their states.Conservative law professor John Eastman, a lawyer for Trump,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-biden-elections-government-and-politics-presidential-42911f613bee85913dcbcbaeed096b2c">pushed the fake electors</a>&nbsp;in the weeks after the election. Trump and Eastman convened hundreds of electors on a call on Jan. 2, 2021, encouraging them to send alternative slates from their states where Trump’s team was claiming fraud.The fake electors idea was designed to set up a challenge on Jan. 6, 2021 when Congress met in joint session, with Vice President Mike Pence presiding over what is typically a ceremonial role to accept the states’ vote tallies. But the effort collapsed, as Pence refused Trump’s repeated demands that he simply halt the certification of Biden’s win — a power he believed he did not possess in his purely ceremonial role.At least 20 people in connection with the fake electors scheme were subpoenaed by the House panel. The committee says it will also show that it has gathered enough evidence through its more than 1,000 interviews and tens of thousands of documents to connect the varying efforts to overturn the election directly to Trump.

🎥1/6 hearings replay Day 4: Testimony on effort to overturn 2020 election

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ top court declared Tuesday that the state constitution doesn’t prohibit partisan gerrymandering, prompting one dissenting justice to accuse the majority of ignoring a “full-scale assault on democracy” from a Republican congressional redistricting law.

The state Supreme Court issued the opinion explaining its 4-3 decision last month to approve the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegresearch.org/KLRD-web/Publications/Redistricting/2022-Plans/M3_AdAstra_2-packet.pdf" target="_blank">new congressional map</a>.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegresearch.org/KLRD-web/Publications/Redistricting/2022-Plans/M3_AdAstra_2-packet.pdf" target="_blank"></a>It previously issued only&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-elections-legislature-kansas-topeka-e6e6dfe3cfc63ddae5492980e04a0329">a brief opinion</a>&nbsp;that did not explain the majority’s reasons.

The new map&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-kansas-kansas-city-topeka-lawrence-ddec8d74330eddabf091cdc59af63c78">makes it harder</a>&nbsp;for the only Democrat in the Kansas congressional delegation, two-term Rep. Sharice Davids, to win reelection in her Kansas City-area district. Davids is the state’s first openly lesbian and Native American woman in Congress.

Dissenting Justice Eric Rosen argued that the decision moves Kansas toward a “one-party system of government,” aids a “power grab” and authorizes “political chicanery.”

“In turning a blind eye to this full-scale assault on democracy in Kansas, the majority blithely ignores the plain language of this state’s Constitution,” Rosen wrote.

Lawsuits over new congressional maps&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-biden-us-supreme-court-legislature-redistricting-2dc22ffc8559f43401c9f116b4e7f8ad">proliferated this year</a>&nbsp;across the U.S., with Republicans looking to recapture a U.S. House majority in November’s midterm elections. Maps in at least 18 states inspired lawsuits, according to the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice.

In the Kansas Supreme Court’s majority opinion Tuesday, Justice Caleb Stegall said the state constitution’s&nbsp;<a href="https://kslib.info/826/Kansas-Bill-of-Rights" target="_blank">guarantee of equal legal protection</a>&nbsp;for all citizens does not prohibit the Legislature from considering partisan factors when redrawing lines each decade to make districts as equal in population as possible. The Legislature has Republican supermajorities and traditionally has been controlled by the GOP.

Stegall also argued that unless the state Supreme Court set a “zero tolerance” standard on partisan gerrymandering, it has no clear standards for when it should be prohibited.

“Are there any manageable and neutral judicial standards by which judges can decide that question without resort to our own partisan biases?” Stegall wrote.

Kansas courts previously had not been asked to consider whether the state constitution bars political gerrymandering. Federal judges — not the Kansas courts — have typically reviewed the state’s congressional boundaries, but the conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wi-state-wire-nc-state-wire-donald-trump-ap-top-news-courts-54daa625511445969fee66696f7979c2">ruled 5-4 in 2019</a>&nbsp;that complaints about partisan gerrymandering are political issues and not for the federal courts to resolve.

Stegall is widely seen as the seven-member court’s most conservative justice, having been appointed by conservative GOP Gov. Sam Brownback in 2014. But he was joined in the majority by a justice appointed by a moderate Republican governor and two who were appointed by Democrats. All of the dissenters were appointed by Democratic governors.

The majority also rejected critics’ claims that the new congressional map represented racial gerrymandering because it split the Black and Hispanic populations in the Kansas City areas between two districts. Stegall wrote that the aggrieved voters did not show that race was the predominant factor in how the lines were drawn.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, which represented 11 voters, said in a statement that the decision was especially harmful to minority voters who were “targeted and silenced.”

Democrats accused Republicans of planning to hurt Davids politically. Although Republicans said that was not the case, a now-retired state Senate leader said publicly in 2020 that fellow Republicans could draw all four congressional districts to favor the GOP and “guarantee” a plan that “takes out” Davids.

Republican lawmakers noted repeatedly that the Kansas side of the Kansas City area has too many people to fit into a single congressional district, requiring some sort of split. And they argued that Davids still would win her new district based on 2020 election results.

The new congressional map moved the northern part of Kansas City, Kansas, out of the 3rd District represented by Davids and into the larger 2nd District of eastern Kansas represented by Republican Rep. Jake LaTurner. Kansas City, Kansas, is among the state’s few Democratic strongholds.

The map also moved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-election-2020-kansas-city-kansas-donald-trump-85844d07388c25e71440059be29b7a6e">the liberal city of Lawrence</a>&nbsp;— a Democratic stronghold only about 40 miles west (64 kilometers) of Kansas City and home to the main University of Kansas campus —out of the 2nd District. Instead, the city of 95,000 has been added to the already sprawling 1st District, which is dominated by small conservative communities in central and western Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643147273216.png" alt="The map moved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-election-2020-kansas-city-kansas-donald-trump-85844d07388c25e71440059be29b7a6e">the liberal northeastern Kansas city of Lawrence</a>&nbsp;into the sprawling 1st District of central and western Kansas that is dominated by small conservative communities" />
 <figcaption>The map moved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-election-2020-kansas-city-kansas-donald-trump-85844d07388c25e71440059be29b7a6e">the liberal northeastern Kansas city of Lawrence</a>&nbsp;into the sprawling 1st District of central and western Kansas that is dominated by small conservative communities</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ top court declared Tuesday that the state constitution doesn’t prohibit partisan gerrymandering, prompting one dissenting justice to accuse the majority of ignoring a “full-scale assault on democracy” from a Republican congressional redistricting law.The state Supreme Court issued the opinion explaining its 4-3 decision last month to approve the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegresearch.org/KLRD-web/Publications/Redistricting/2022-Plans/M3_AdAstra_2-packet.pdf" target="_blank">new congressional map</a>.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegresearch.org/KLRD-web/Publications/Redistricting/2022-Plans/M3_AdAstra_2-packet.pdf" target="_blank"></a>It previously issued only&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-elections-legislature-kansas-topeka-e6e6dfe3cfc63ddae5492980e04a0329">a brief opinion</a>&nbsp;that did not explain the majority’s reasons.The new map&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-kansas-kansas-city-topeka-lawrence-ddec8d74330eddabf091cdc59af63c78">makes it harder</a>&nbsp;for the only Democrat in the Kansas congressional delegation, two-term Rep. Sharice Davids, to win reelection in her Kansas City-area district. Davids is the state’s first openly lesbian and Native American woman in Congress.Dissenting Justice Eric Rosen argued that the decision moves Kansas toward a “one-party system of government,” aids a “power grab” and authorizes “political chicanery.”“In turning a blind eye to this full-scale assault on democracy in Kansas, the majority blithely ignores the plain language of this state’s Constitution,” Rosen wrote.Lawsuits over new congressional maps&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-biden-us-supreme-court-legislature-redistricting-2dc22ffc8559f43401c9f116b4e7f8ad">proliferated this year</a>&nbsp;across the U.S., with Republicans looking to recapture a U.S. House majority in November’s midterm elections. Maps in at least 18 states inspired lawsuits, according to the nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice.In the Kansas Supreme Court’s majority opinion Tuesday, Justice Caleb Stegall said the state constitution’s&nbsp;<a href="https://kslib.info/826/Kansas-Bill-of-Rights" target="_blank">guarantee of equal legal protection</a>&nbsp;for all citizens does not prohibit the Legislature from considering partisan factors when redrawing lines each decade to make districts as equal in population as possible. The Legislature has Republican supermajorities and traditionally has been controlled by the GOP.Stegall also argued that unless the state Supreme Court set a “zero tolerance” standard on partisan gerrymandering, it has no clear standards for when it should be prohibited.“Are there any manageable and neutral judicial standards by which judges can decide that question without resort to our own partisan biases?” Stegall wrote.Kansas courts previously had not been asked to consider whether the state constitution bars political gerrymandering. Federal judges — not the Kansas courts — have typically reviewed the state’s congressional boundaries, but the conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wi-state-wire-nc-state-wire-donald-trump-ap-top-news-courts-54daa625511445969fee66696f7979c2">ruled 5-4 in 2019</a>&nbsp;that complaints about partisan gerrymandering are political issues and not for the federal courts to resolve.Stegall is widely seen as the seven-member court’s most conservative justice, having been appointed by conservative GOP Gov. Sam Brownback in 2014. But he was joined in the majority by a justice appointed by a moderate Republican governor and two who were appointed by Democrats. All of the dissenters were appointed by Democratic governors.The majority also rejected critics’ claims that the new congressional map represented racial gerrymandering because it split the Black and Hispanic populations in the Kansas City areas between two districts. Stegall wrote that the aggrieved voters did not show that race was the predominant factor in how the lines were drawn.The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, which represented 11 voters, said in a statement that the decision was especially harmful to minority voters who were “targeted and silenced.”Democrats accused Republicans of planning to hurt Davids politically. Although Republicans said that was not the case, a now-retired state Senate leader said publicly in 2020 that fellow Republicans could draw all four congressional districts to favor the GOP and “guarantee” a plan that “takes out” Davids.Republican lawmakers noted repeatedly that the Kansas side of the Kansas City area has too many people to fit into a single congressional district, requiring some sort of split. And they argued that Davids still would win her new district based on 2020 election results.The new congressional map moved the northern part of Kansas City, Kansas, out of the 3rd District represented by Davids and into the larger 2nd District of eastern Kansas represented by Republican Rep. Jake LaTurner. Kansas City, Kansas, is among the state’s few Democratic strongholds.The map also moved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-election-2020-kansas-city-kansas-donald-trump-85844d07388c25e71440059be29b7a6e">the liberal city of Lawrence</a>&nbsp;— a Democratic stronghold only about 40 miles west (64 kilometers) of Kansas City and home to the main University of Kansas campus —out of the 2nd District. Instead, the city of 95,000 has been added to the already sprawling 1st District, which is dominated by small conservative communities in central and western Kansas.___

Top court: Kansas Constitution allows partisan redistricting

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal weekend accident have identified the victim as 33 year-old Michael Travis Gibbons of Lawrence, according to a media release.

Just after 2a.m. Sunday, police responded to a report of a single vehicle collision at the intersection of 31st&nbsp;St and Atchison Avenue in Lawrence.

 Responding officers arrived to find a vehicle with Gibbons, the only occupant, had collided with a light pole on the northwest corner of the intersection. 

The vehicle sustained heavy damage and power lines were down as a result of the collision. Officers and paramedics attempted to render aid however it was determined Gibbons was deceased at the scene.

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal weekend accident have identified the victim as 33 year-old Michael Travis Gibbons of Lawrence, according to a media release.Just after 2a.m. Sunday, police responded to a report of a single vehicle collision at the intersection of 31st&nbsp;St and Atchison Avenue in Lawrence. Responding officers arrived to find a vehicle with Gibbons, the only occupant, had collided with a light pole on the northwest corner of the intersection. The vehicle sustained heavy damage and power lines were down as a result of the collision. Officers and paramedics attempted to render aid however it was determined Gibbons was deceased at the scene.

Police ID Kansas man who died after crash into light pole

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that religious schools can’t be excluded from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/me-state-wire-us-supreme-court-maine-religion-education-053be754922af11fe1bceaf408d0f910">a Maine program</a>&nbsp;that offers tuition aid for private education, a decision that could ease religious organizations’ access to taxpayer money.

The most immediate effect of the court’s 6-3 decision beyond Maine will be next door in Vermont, which has a similar program.

But the outcome also could fuel a renewed push for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/school-choice">school choice programs</a>&nbsp;in some of the 18 states that have so far not directed taxpayer money to private, religious education.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for a conservative majority that the program violates the Constitution’s protections for religious freedoms.

“Maine’s ‘nonsectarian’ requirement for its otherwise generally available tuition assistance payments violates the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. Regardless of how the benefit and restriction are described, the program operates to identify and exclude otherwise eligible schools on the basis of their religious exercise,” Roberts wrote.

The court’s three liberal justices dissented. “This Court continues to dismantle the wall of separation between church and state that the Framers fought to build,” Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote.

The ruling is the latest in a line of decisions from the Supreme Court that have favored religion-based discrimination claims. The court is separately weighing the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-football-religion-prayer-washington-7490d215c8b1ead529299ac92114dbab">case of a football coach who says he has a First Amendment right to pray</a>&nbsp;at midfield immediately after games.

In largely rural Maine, the state allows families who live in towns that don’t have public schools to receive public tuition dollars to send their children to the public or private school of their choosing. The program has excluded religious schools.

Students who live in a district with public schools or in a district that contracts with another public system are ineligible for the tuition program.

Parents who challenged the program argued that the exclusion of religious schools violates their religious rights under the Constitution. Teacher unions and school boards said states can impose limits on public money for private education without running afoul of religious freedoms.

Most of the justices attended religious schools, and several send or have sent their children to them.

In the Maine case, parents sued in federal court to be able to use state aid to send their children to Christian schools in Bangor and Waterville. The schools in question, Bangor Christian School and Temple Academy, are uncertain whether they would accept public funds, according to court filings.

The Bangor school said it would not hire teachers or admit students who are transgender. Both schools said they do not hire gay or lesbian teachers, according to court records.

In 2020, the high court ruled 5-4 that states must give religious schools the same access to public funding that other private schools receive, preserving a Montana scholarship program that had largely benefited students at religious institutions.

In that case, the court said states don’t have to allow public money to be used in private education. But they can’t keep religious schools out of such programs, once created.

But even after that ruling, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Maine program, holding that the state was not violating anyone’s constitutional rights by refusing to allow taxpayer money to be used for religious instruction. The three-judge panel included retired Justice David Souter, who occasionally hears cases in the appeals court.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that religious schools can’t be excluded from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/me-state-wire-us-supreme-court-maine-religion-education-053be754922af11fe1bceaf408d0f910">a Maine program</a>&nbsp;that offers tuition aid for private education, a decision that could ease religious organizations’ access to taxpayer money.The most immediate effect of the court’s 6-3 decision beyond Maine will be next door in Vermont, which has a similar program.But the outcome also could fuel a renewed push for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/school-choice">school choice programs</a>&nbsp;in some of the 18 states that have so far not directed taxpayer money to private, religious education.Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for a conservative majority that the program violates the Constitution’s protections for religious freedoms.“Maine’s ‘nonsectarian’ requirement for its otherwise generally available tuition assistance payments violates the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. Regardless of how the benefit and restriction are described, the program operates to identify and exclude otherwise eligible schools on the basis of their religious exercise,” Roberts wrote.The court’s three liberal justices dissented. “This Court continues to dismantle the wall of separation between church and state that the Framers fought to build,” Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote.The ruling is the latest in a line of decisions from the Supreme Court that have favored religion-based discrimination claims. The court is separately weighing the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-football-religion-prayer-washington-7490d215c8b1ead529299ac92114dbab">case of a football coach who says he has a First Amendment right to pray</a>&nbsp;at midfield immediately after games.In largely rural Maine, the state allows families who live in towns that don’t have public schools to receive public tuition dollars to send their children to the public or private school of their choosing. The program has excluded religious schools.Students who live in a district with public schools or in a district that contracts with another public system are ineligible for the tuition program.Parents who challenged the program argued that the exclusion of religious schools violates their religious rights under the Constitution. Teacher unions and school boards said states can impose limits on public money for private education without running afoul of religious freedoms.Most of the justices attended religious schools, and several send or have sent their children to them.In the Maine case, parents sued in federal court to be able to use state aid to send their children to Christian schools in Bangor and Waterville. The schools in question, Bangor Christian School and Temple Academy, are uncertain whether they would accept public funds, according to court filings.The Bangor school said it would not hire teachers or admit students who are transgender. Both schools said they do not hire gay or lesbian teachers, according to court records.In 2020, the high court ruled 5-4 that states must give religious schools the same access to public funding that other private schools receive, preserving a Montana scholarship program that had largely benefited students at religious institutions.In that case, the court said states don’t have to allow public money to be used in private education. But they can’t keep religious schools out of such programs, once created.But even after that ruling, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Maine program, holding that the state was not violating anyone’s constitutional rights by refusing to allow taxpayer money to be used for religious instruction. The three-judge panel included retired Justice David Souter, who occasionally hears cases in the appeals court.

Supreme Court OKs use of public money for religious education

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal crash and fire have identified the victim as Donna O'Reilly, 69, of Wichita, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.

Just before 8p.m. Monday, O'Reilly was a passenger in a 2003 Buick Regal that was southbound in the 5300 Block of West Street. The car left the roadway, struck a tree east of West Street and caught fire.

&nbsp;O’Reilly was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported the 73-year-old driver and husband of the deceased to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation, according to Blick.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655778105351.png" alt="First responders at the crash scene-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the crash scene-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal crash and fire have identified the victim as Donna O'Reilly, 69, of Wichita, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.Just before 8p.m. Monday, O'Reilly was a passenger in a 2003 Buick Regal that was southbound in the 5300 Block of West Street. The car left the roadway, struck a tree east of West Street and caught fire.&nbsp;O’Reilly was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported the 73-year-old driver and husband of the deceased to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.The cause of the accident remains under investigation, according to Blick.

Sheriff: Kansas woman dies after crash into tree, fire

By RAHUL CHAWDHRY SHARMA <a href="https://www.virginiamercury.com/2022/06/21/punched-kicked-spit-on-va-health-care-workers-say-they-face-more-violence-since-pandemic/">Virginia Mercury</a>

Expressing frustration with what they
 say are increasing incidents of violence at work, doctors at the 
Virginia College of Emergency Physicians are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.acep.org/globalassets/ed-workplace-violence-one-pager.pdf">urging</a> federal lawmakers to support a U.S. Senate bill that would give greater protections to health care workers.&nbsp;

“I have been assaulted by patients 
hundreds of times —&nbsp; have been punched, kicked, spit on, and had objects
 thrown at me and weapons pointed at me. All this from the patients 
whose lives I’m trying to save,” one doctor who has worked as an 
emergency physician for three decades wrote in a letter to Sens. Mark 
Warner and Tim Kaine, Democrats from Virginia.&nbsp;

The emergency physician, who goes unnamed in the <a target="_blank" href="https://myemail.constantcontact.com/VACEP-eNews-167.html?soid=1102329573979&amp;aid=z3fEJgFy0kI">letter</a>, isn’t alone. The Bureau of Labor Statistics <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/violence/fastfacts.html">says</a>
 that 70 percent of private sector workers who “experienced trauma from 
nonfatal workplace violence” in 2019 worked in health care or related 
social assistance roles, making them five times more likely to be 
injured by violence at work than others.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/4182/text">S.4182</a>,
 the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service 
Workers Act, would direct the Department of Labor to create enforceable 
standards to ensure health care and social services workplaces implement
 violence prevention, tracking and response systems. A companion bill in
 the House was passed in 2021. In 2019, the Virginia General Assembly 
passed <a target="_blank" href="http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?191+sum+SB1395">legislation</a> making it a Class 1 misdemeanor to threaten to injure or kill health care workers.&nbsp;

There is no comprehensive statewide 
dataset on health care workplace violence for Virginia, but the Virginia
 Hospital and Healthcare Association says violent attacks on health care
 workers are on the rise. VHHA established a Workplace Safety Task Force in 2020 that is collecting data to find
 a baseline measurement for statewide injuries, as well as “sharing 
educational resources and best practices” to reduce such injuries, 
according to VHHA spokesperson Julian Walker.

State-level trends track national 
data, according to Toni Ardabell, chief of clinical enterprise 
operations at Inova, a major health care provider in Northern Virginia 
with 18,000 employees and more than 2 million patients a year. In 2021, 
648 physical workplace violence incidents were reported within their 
hospital system and Ardabell assumes many minor incidents go unreported.
 By one NIH <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5006066/">estimate</a>, almost 90 percent of incidents are not formally reported.&nbsp;

She said violence has been on the 
rise during the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerating a longer-term trend. 
Assault rates against health care workers nationwide have <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8816837/">doubled</a> in the last 10 years and around <a target="_blank" href="https://oem.bmj.com/content/76/12/927.long">40 percent</a> of those working in hospitals have been victims of physical violence in the last year. Another <a target="_blank" href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2021.04.019">survey</a> put that number at 78 percent.

“I think the stress of COVID, the 
stress of the mental health crisis in our communities, all have 
contributed to behavior we have seen all over the country,” Ardabell 
said. “Most of the violence events that are reported are carried out by 
visitors or mental-health patients— people that are frustrated, they are
 already coping with a life issue.”

Ardabell cited the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.virginiamercury.com/2022/03/30/virginias-new-behavioral-health-director-orders-strategic-plan-for-struggling-state-agency/">breakdown</a>
 of the state’s mental health system as another possible factor in 
rising incidents of violence. Understaffing and overcrowding at 
publicly-funded psychiatric care hospitals have increasingly forced 
patients to stay in local emergency rooms instead of at state 
facilities, where they may not receive adequate care. Some private 
hospitals have dedicated mental health units where patients can receive 
proper care.

“What we are not equipped to deal 
with is the extremely physically abusive mental health patients,” 
Ardabell said. “The state closed beds in mental health institutions 
where these patients should be, and so there is not a real good solution
 for these patients right now.”

The workload and stress of the pandemic pushed many nurses out of the field, leading to a nursing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.virginiamercury.com/2021/09/27/vaccine-mandates-dont-appear-to-be-driving-the-current-nursing-shortage-in-virginia/">shortage</a>
 in Virginia. Ardabell said that though workplace violence isn’t showing
 up in exit interviews as a primary cause of leaving the jobs, it could 
be a contributing factor in worker burnout.&nbsp;

It is also common for family members 
of patients to take their anger out on workers. The highest 
concentrations of violence take place within emergency and behavioral 
health departments, with nurses in the ER being <a target="_blank" href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/44997529?seq=1">four times</a> more likely to be assaulted than those in other departments, but Ardabell emphasized that there is no typical situation.

“The situations can really be all 
over the map. It could be a confused patient that hits someone in their 
confusion, it could be someone who purposely hits someone because of 
their anger,” Ardabell said.&nbsp;

The daily threat of violence was 
underscored by two attacks on hospitals earlier this month. First a 
shooting at a hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that saw four people killed, 
and then a stabbing at a medical center in Los Angeles, where three 
medical professionals were injured. In response, the Virginia Hospital 
and Healthcare Association released a statement expressing concern and 
highlighting steps that hospitals were taking.

“Unfortunately, hospitals and the 
people who work in them live with the daily reality that health care 
professionals face an elevated risk of being victims of workplace 
violence,” read the statement. “In response to these conditions, 
hospitals across Virginia have implemented a range of safety and 
prevention programs for staff including alerting systems, safety 
protocols, enhanced security personnel presence, and more to protect 
patients, family, visitors, and staff.”

In the meantime, ER doctors continue 
push for better working conditions “The physical and verbal abuse and 
violence toward all ED staff is out of control. This bill is a decent 
start, but we need even more,” read another letter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655836007623.png" alt="VCU's emergency hospital entrance in Richmond. (Parker Michels-Boyce / For The Virginia Mercury)" />
 <figcaption>VCU's emergency hospital entrance in Richmond. (Parker Michels-Boyce / For The Virginia Mercury)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RAHUL CHAWDHRY SHARMA <a href="https://www.virginiamercury.com/2022/06/21/punched-kicked-spit-on-va-health-care-workers-say-they-face-more-violence-since-pandemic/">Virginia Mercury</a>Expressing frustration with what they
 say are increasing incidents of violence at work, doctors at the 
Virginia College of Emergency Physicians are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.acep.org/globalassets/ed-workplace-violence-one-pager.pdf">urging</a> federal lawmakers to support a U.S. Senate bill that would give greater protections to health care workers.&nbsp;“I have been assaulted by patients 
hundreds of times —&nbsp; have been punched, kicked, spit on, and had objects
 thrown at me and weapons pointed at me. All this from the patients 
whose lives I’m trying to save,” one doctor who has worked as an 
emergency physician for three decades wrote in a letter to Sens. Mark 
Warner and Tim Kaine, Democrats from Virginia.&nbsp;The emergency physician, who goes unnamed in the <a target="_blank" href="https://myemail.constantcontact.com/VACEP-eNews-167.html?soid=1102329573979&amp;aid=z3fEJgFy0kI">letter</a>, isn’t alone. The Bureau of Labor Statistics <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/violence/fastfacts.html">says</a>
 that 70 percent of private sector workers who “experienced trauma from 
nonfatal workplace violence” in 2019 worked in health care or related 
social assistance roles, making them five times more likely to be 
injured by violence at work than others.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/4182/text">S.4182</a>,
 the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service 
Workers Act, would direct the Department of Labor to create enforceable 
standards to ensure health care and social services workplaces implement
 violence prevention, tracking and response systems. A companion bill in
 the House was passed in 2021. In 2019, the Virginia General Assembly 
passed <a target="_blank" href="http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?191+sum+SB1395">legislation</a> making it a Class 1 misdemeanor to threaten to injure or kill health care workers.&nbsp;There is no comprehensive statewide 
dataset on health care workplace violence for Virginia, but the Virginia
 Hospital and Healthcare Association says violent attacks on health care
 workers are on the rise. VHHA established a Workplace Safety Task Force in 2020 that is collecting data to find
 a baseline measurement for statewide injuries, as well as “sharing 
educational resources and best practices” to reduce such injuries, 
according to VHHA spokesperson Julian Walker.State-level trends track national 
data, according to Toni Ardabell, chief of clinical enterprise 
operations at Inova, a major health care provider in Northern Virginia 
with 18,000 employees and more than 2 million patients a year. In 2021, 
648 physical workplace violence incidents were reported within their 
hospital system and Ardabell assumes many minor incidents go unreported.
 By one NIH <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5006066/">estimate</a>, almost 90 percent of incidents are not formally reported.&nbsp;She said violence has been on the 
rise during the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerating a longer-term trend. 
Assault rates against health care workers nationwide have <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8816837/">doubled</a> in the last 10 years and around <a target="_blank" href="https://oem.bmj.com/content/76/12/927.long">40 percent</a> of those working in hospitals have been victims of physical violence in the last year. Another <a target="_blank" href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2021.04.019">survey</a> put that number at 78 percent.“I think the stress of COVID, the 
stress of the mental health crisis in our communities, all have 
contributed to behavior we have seen all over the country,” Ardabell 
said. “Most of the violence events that are reported are carried out by 
visitors or mental-health patients— people that are frustrated, they are
 already coping with a life issue.”Ardabell cited the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.virginiamercury.com/2022/03/30/virginias-new-behavioral-health-director-orders-strategic-plan-for-struggling-state-agency/">breakdown</a>
 of the state’s mental health system as another possible factor in 
rising incidents of violence. Understaffing and overcrowding at 
publicly-funded psychiatric care hospitals have increasingly forced 
patients to stay in local emergency rooms instead of at state 
facilities, where they may not receive adequate care. Some private 
hospitals have dedicated mental health units where patients can receive 
proper care.“What we are not equipped to deal 
with is the extremely physically abusive mental health patients,” 
Ardabell said. “The state closed beds in mental health institutions 
where these patients should be, and so there is not a real good solution
 for these patients right now.”The workload and stress of the pandemic pushed many nurses out of the field, leading to a nursing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.virginiamercury.com/2021/09/27/vaccine-mandates-dont-appear-to-be-driving-the-current-nursing-shortage-in-virginia/">shortage</a>
 in Virginia. Ardabell said that though workplace violence isn’t showing
 up in exit interviews as a primary cause of leaving the jobs, it could 
be a contributing factor in worker burnout.&nbsp;It is also common for family members 
of patients to take their anger out on workers. The highest 
concentrations of violence take place within emergency and behavioral 
health departments, with nurses in the ER being <a target="_blank" href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/44997529?seq=1">four times</a> more likely to be assaulted than those in other departments, but Ardabell emphasized that there is no typical situation.“The situations can really be all 
over the map. It could be a confused patient that hits someone in their 
confusion, it could be someone who purposely hits someone because of 
their anger,” Ardabell said.&nbsp;The daily threat of violence was 
underscored by two attacks on hospitals earlier this month. First a 
shooting at a hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that saw four people killed, 
and then a stabbing at a medical center in Los Angeles, where three 
medical professionals were injured. In response, the Virginia Hospital 
and Healthcare Association released a statement expressing concern and 
highlighting steps that hospitals were taking.“Unfortunately, hospitals and the 
people who work in them live with the daily reality that health care 
professionals face an elevated risk of being victims of workplace 
violence,” read the statement. “In response to these conditions, 
hospitals across Virginia have implemented a range of safety and 
prevention programs for staff including alerting systems, safety 
protocols, enhanced security personnel presence, and more to protect 
patients, family, visitors, and staff.”In the meantime, ER doctors continue 
push for better working conditions “The physical and verbal abuse and 
violence toward all ED staff is out of control. This bill is a decent 
start, but we need even more,” read another letter.“We are sitting ducks.”

‘Punched, kicked, spit on’: Violence rises against health care workers since COVID

By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/06/20/seattle-based-cycling-frog-jabs-at-nebraskas-social-scene-but-tourism-folks-snap-back/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

A
 Seattle-based brand called Cycling Frog has ranked Nebraska near the 
bottom of the pack when it comes to the best states for summer 
socializing.

In
 its media release, Cycling Frog is described as an “exciting new player
 in the THC &amp; CBD space” and said its picks for top social states 
have common ground in that they have a good share of colleges and state 
parks, and legal cannabis to some degree.

The wholesaler noted that it didn’t set out to bash any particular place.

“Whilst
 we’re confident that there are plenty of reasons to visit Nebraska, 
Alabama and Wyoming, they don’t appear to be the best destinations if 
you’re looking for carefree summer fun, according to our ranking 
criteria,” said head of brand Jason Peterson.

The
 Nebraska Tourism Commission, asked to respond, had its own summertime 
fun with the group’s findings. It released a statement that nodded to 
the commission’s spring and summer campaign slogan, which is: “Nebraska.
 Honestly, it’s not for everyone.”&nbsp;

“Note to our Cycling Frog friends:

Nebraska
 isn’t for everyone. It’s for the ‘not everyones’ of the world. And 
frankly, folks who refer to themselves as ‘Cycling Frogs’ sound about as
 ‘not everyone’ as you can get. So we hereby invite you to come and 
discover the vibrant (and very social) nightlife of our cities. Or our 
amazing party-friendly riverbanks and lakeshores. Or large events like 
the College World Series, rodeos, festivals, and all sorts of other 
reasons people gather to celebrate and hang out with lots of other 
people (AKA, ‘socializing’). Yes, Cycling Frogs, you are invited to 
visit. So hop to it.

<a target="_blank" href="https://cyclingfrog.com/blogs/news/ranked-the-best-and-worst-states-for-summer-socials">Cycling Frog,</a> which launched early this year, said it used eight criteria to develop the system that judged each state’s “suitability for summer socials.”&nbsp;

Criteria
 were population size, median age, number of state parks, number of 
state beaches, summer temperatures, number of colleges, average price of
 a 24-pack of beer and marijuana legality.

Husker
 territory was ranked third lowest, with researchers commenting that the
 “Beef State” had too few managed or protected parks and outdoor spaces 
“to explore and enjoy the summer sun.”

Just above and below Nebraska in the Cycling Frog rankings were Nevada and Alabama, respectively.

Wyoming
 wound up last, with researchers noting it has “only 14 state parks and 
beaches for outdoor recreation” in addition to high-priced beer.

Conversely,
 California, Massachusetts and New York were ranked on top. The 
researchers pointed out California’s “reliable temperatures” and over 
300 state parks and beaches. They noted that marijuana and associated 
cannabinoids are legal there for recreational use.

The three top ranked states all have fully legalized marijuana, including recreational use.

Of the bottom three, Wyoming and Nebraska have no legalized 
marijuana use. Alabama’s legislature and governor in 2021 signed into 
law a bill allowing medical marijuana use.Currently in 
Nebraska, a group is gathering signatures for a pair of initiative 
petitions aimed at legalizing medical marijuana in the state.&nbsp;

Cycling Frog<a target="_blank" href="https://cyclingfrog.com/"> offers</a>
 hemp-based THC and CBD products to a mass audience. The brand’s website
 also says that it is “pushing the boundaries and going into uncharted 
territory” in an attempt to change a generation’s perception and access 
to the products in the U.S.

THC,
 or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive compound in marijuana. 
CBD, or cannabidiol, is said to not cause that same “high” and is touted
 as a component of medical marijuana and treating certain syndromes.

Meanwhile, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development announced the June 20 start of the monthlong “Nebraska Good Life <a target="_blank" href="https://thegoodlifeiscalling.com/connect/">Summer Contest.”</a>

Three Nebraskans will have the chance to win prizes by sharing their favorite fun-in-the-sun activity.

Entrants
 are asked to post a fun and creative Instagram reel of themselves and 
friends, tagging @nebraskagoodlife and using hashtag 
#NEGoodLifeSummerContest in the caption.&nbsp;

Prizes
 include a smart TV, an Amazon Echo and a streaming device. The contest 
is sponsored by the Nebraska Diplomats and hosted by the Department of 
Economic Development.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655835180511.png" alt=" (Courtesy of Nebraska Department of Economic Development)" />
 <figcaption> (Courtesy of Nebraska Department of Economic Development)</figcaption>
 </figure>By CINDY GONZALEZ <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/06/20/seattle-based-cycling-frog-jabs-at-nebraskas-social-scene-but-tourism-folks-snap-back/">Nebraska Examiner</a>A
 Seattle-based brand called Cycling Frog has ranked Nebraska near the 
bottom of the pack when it comes to the best states for summer 
socializing.In
 its media release, Cycling Frog is described as an “exciting new player
 in the THC &amp; CBD space” and said its picks for top social states 
have common ground in that they have a good share of colleges and state 
parks, and legal cannabis to some degree.The wholesaler noted that it didn’t set out to bash any particular place.“Whilst
 we’re confident that there are plenty of reasons to visit Nebraska, 
Alabama and Wyoming, they don’t appear to be the best destinations if 
you’re looking for carefree summer fun, according to our ranking 
criteria,” said head of brand Jason Peterson.<h2>Back at you, Cycling Frog</h2>The
 Nebraska Tourism Commission, asked to respond, had its own summertime 
fun with the group’s findings. It released a statement that nodded to 
the commission’s spring and summer campaign slogan, which is: “Nebraska.
 Honestly, it’s not for everyone.”&nbsp;“Note to our Cycling Frog friends:Nebraska
 isn’t for everyone. It’s for the ‘not everyones’ of the world. And 
frankly, folks who refer to themselves as ‘Cycling Frogs’ sound about as
 ‘not everyone’ as you can get. So we hereby invite you to come and 
discover the vibrant (and very social) nightlife of our cities. Or our 
amazing party-friendly riverbanks and lakeshores. Or large events like 
the College World Series, rodeos, festivals, and all sorts of other 
reasons people gather to celebrate and hang out with lots of other 
people (AKA, ‘socializing’). Yes, Cycling Frogs, you are invited to 
visit. So hop to it.Love, Nebraska Tourism.”<a target="_blank" href="https://cyclingfrog.com/blogs/news/ranked-the-best-and-worst-states-for-summer-socials">Cycling Frog,</a> which launched early this year, said it used eight criteria to develop the system that judged each state’s “suitability for summer socials.”&nbsp;Criteria
 were population size, median age, number of state parks, number of 
state beaches, summer temperatures, number of colleges, average price of
 a 24-pack of beer and marijuana legality.Husker
 territory was ranked third lowest, with researchers commenting that the
 “Beef State” had too few managed or protected parks and outdoor spaces 
“to explore and enjoy the summer sun.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655835250891.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy of Department of Economic Development)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy of Department of Economic Development)</figcaption>
 </figure>Just above and below Nebraska in the Cycling Frog rankings were Nevada and Alabama, respectively.<h2>Bottom of the pile</h2>Wyoming
 wound up last, with researchers noting it has “only 14 state parks and 
beaches for outdoor recreation” in addition to high-priced beer.Conversely,
 California, Massachusetts and New York were ranked on top. The 
researchers pointed out California’s “reliable temperatures” and over 
300 state parks and beaches. They noted that marijuana and associated 
cannabinoids are legal there for recreational use.The three top ranked states all have fully legalized marijuana, including recreational use.Of the bottom three, Wyoming and Nebraska have no legalized 
marijuana use. Alabama’s legislature and governor in 2021 signed into 
law a bill allowing medical marijuana use.Currently in 
Nebraska, a group is gathering signatures for a pair of initiative 
petitions aimed at legalizing medical marijuana in the state.&nbsp;Cycling Frog<a target="_blank" href="https://cyclingfrog.com/"> offers</a>
 hemp-based THC and CBD products to a mass audience. The brand’s website
 also says that it is “pushing the boundaries and going into uncharted 
territory” in an attempt to change a generation’s perception and access 
to the products in the U.S.THC,
 or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive compound in marijuana. 
CBD, or cannabidiol, is said to not cause that same “high” and is touted
 as a component of medical marijuana and treating certain syndromes.<h2>Good Life Summer Contest</h2>Meanwhile, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development announced the June 20 start of the monthlong “Nebraska Good Life <a target="_blank" href="https://thegoodlifeiscalling.com/connect/">Summer Contest.”</a>Three Nebraskans will have the chance to win prizes by sharing their favorite fun-in-the-sun activity.Entrants
 are asked to post a fun and creative Instagram reel of themselves and 
friends, tagging @nebraskagoodlife and using hashtag 
#NEGoodLifeSummerContest in the caption.&nbsp;Prizes
 include a smart TV, an Amazon Echo and a streaming device. The contest 
is sponsored by the Nebraska Diplomats and hosted by the Department of 
Economic Development.&nbsp;

Seattle THC dealer disses Neb. social life — Nebraskans snap back

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/06/21/kansas-to-give-child-care-workers-53m-in-appreciation-pay/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday announced a $53 million program 
to deliver bonuses to 22,000 child care workers at licensed facilities 
in Kansas.

Child care workers will receive a one-time payment between $750 and 
$2,500, depending on the hours they work, in late July. The governor 
said the appreciation bonuses are “a reward for their incredibly hard 
work.”

“Child care providers have faced unbelievable challenges during the 
last two and a half years,” Kelly said. “Yet they’ve continued to 
fulfill their critical role in caring for kids. Their work is essential 
to the social and economic well-being of our state.”

The $53 million program is paid for with federal funding, the 
governor said. The bonuses will be administered by Child Care Aware of 
Kansas.

The governor announced the program in a news conference at 
Countryside United Methodist Church in Topeka, which renovated its child
 development center after closing during the pandemic.

Jenna Herrin, the center’s assistant director, said the appreciation 
bonuses will help morale for the underappreciated staff. The center 
serves about 60 kids ages 1 to 5, and has had to turn families down 
because the center is so full.

“I’ve worked in child care for a long time, and it doesn’t seem like 
we’ve been acknowledged for what we do — and it does take a village,” 
Herrin said.

Kelly said kids who receive early childhood education score higher on
 math and reading tests, are more likely to graduate, develop better 
social and emotional kills, and are better collaborators and problems. 
They earn more money as adults, are more likely to own a home, and are 
less likely to suffer from substance abuse, she said.

“To sum it up, early childhood investment is the smartest investment a
 community can make in its future,” Kelly said. “It’s also the smartest 
investment a community can make in its present.”

Kelly said available child care remains a challenge as the state 
attracts businesses and adds jobs. The state’s unemployment rate 
recently hit an all-time low at 2.3%.

“That means that every person who wants to work will be able to find 
work,” Kelly said. “However, one of the biggest barriers to entering the
 workforce, or returning to the workforce post-pandemic, is the lack of 
access to quality childcare.”

Earlier this year, the Kelly administration announced $160 million in
 federal grants to help child care providers with operating costs, 
payroll expenses and revenue losses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655830527428.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly announces a new $53 million bonus pay program for child care workers during a news conference Tuesday at Countryside United Methodist Church in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly announces a new $53 million bonus pay program for child care workers during a news conference Tuesday at Countryside United Methodist Church in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/06/21/kansas-to-give-child-care-workers-53m-in-appreciation-pay/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly on Tuesday announced a $53 million program 
to deliver bonuses to 22,000 child care workers at licensed facilities 
in Kansas.Child care workers will receive a one-time payment between $750 and 
$2,500, depending on the hours they work, in late July. The governor 
said the appreciation bonuses are “a reward for their incredibly hard 
work.”“Child care providers have faced unbelievable challenges during the 
last two and a half years,” Kelly said. “Yet they’ve continued to 
fulfill their critical role in caring for kids. Their work is essential 
to the social and economic well-being of our state.”The $53 million program is paid for with federal funding, the 
governor said. The bonuses will be administered by Child Care Aware of 
Kansas.The governor announced the program in a news conference at 
Countryside United Methodist Church in Topeka, which renovated its child
 development center after closing during the pandemic.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655830585575.png" alt="Alaina Miller, left, and Jenna Herrin talk about their work in the child development center at Countryside United Methodist Church in Topeka. They say the new bonus program will help staff morale. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Alaina Miller, left, and Jenna Herrin talk about their work in the child development center at Countryside United Methodist Church in Topeka. They say the new bonus program will help staff morale. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Jenna Herrin, the center’s assistant director, said the appreciation 
bonuses will help morale for the underappreciated staff. The center 
serves about 60 kids ages 1 to 5, and has had to turn families down 
because the center is so full.“I’ve worked in child care for a long time, and it doesn’t seem like 
we’ve been acknowledged for what we do — and it does take a village,” 
Herrin said.Kelly said kids who receive early childhood education score higher on
 math and reading tests, are more likely to graduate, develop better 
social and emotional kills, and are better collaborators and problems. 
They earn more money as adults, are more likely to own a home, and are 
less likely to suffer from substance abuse, she said.“To sum it up, early childhood investment is the smartest investment a
 community can make in its future,” Kelly said. “It’s also the smartest 
investment a community can make in its present.”Kelly said available child care remains a challenge as the state 
attracts businesses and adds jobs. The state’s unemployment rate 
recently hit an all-time low at 2.3%.“That means that every person who wants to work will be able to find 
work,” Kelly said. “However, one of the biggest barriers to entering the
 workforce, or returning to the workforce post-pandemic, is the lack of 
access to quality childcare.”Earlier this year, the Kelly administration announced $160 million in
 federal grants to help child care providers with operating costs, 
payroll expenses and revenue losses.

Kansas to give child care workers $53M in appreciation pay

SALINE COUNTY —The Salina Police Department continue their search for a man who has not been seen in over week and is being considered a missing, endangered person.

Nathan Philip Thompson, 44, of Salina is described as 6-foot-2, weighs 184 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes.

On June 13, the Salina Fire Department responded to a trailer home fire located at 1635 Elgin, Salina, Kansas. Once the fire was extinguished the fire department determined no one was at home but has since classified the fire as arson, according to a statement from police.

The Salina Police Department has received information from neighbors that Nathan Thompson, who had been residing in the trailer home, has not been seen for approximately one week. Mr. Thompson’s family members have not spoken to him in the last seven days and are unaware of his location. In addition, Mr. Thompson failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing in Salina Municipal Court on June 14, 2022.

The Salina Police Department has received information that foul play may be involved in Mr. Thompson’s disappearance.

If you have had contact with Nathan Thompson since June 1, 2022, have information concerning his disappearance, or have information relative to the fire at 1635 Elgin please contact the Salina Police

Department at 785-826-7210. You may also call Crimestoppers at 785-825-TIPS or make an online tip at: <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#</a>. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210 and ask to speak to Detective Lemon, case 2022-17281.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655577117894.jpeg" alt="Nathan Philip Thompson. Photo from May 3, 2022- Salina Police Department" />
 <figcaption>Nathan Philip Thompson. Photo from May 3, 2022- Salina Police Department</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —The Salina Police Department continue their search for a man who has not been seen in over week and is being considered a missing, endangered person.Nathan Philip Thompson, 44, of Salina is described as 6-foot-2, weighs 184 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes.On June 13, the Salina Fire Department responded to a trailer home fire located at 1635 Elgin, Salina, Kansas. Once the fire was extinguished the fire department determined no one was at home but has since classified the fire as arson, according to a statement from police.The Salina Police Department has received information from neighbors that Nathan Thompson, who had been residing in the trailer home, has not been seen for approximately one week. Mr. Thompson’s family members have not spoken to him in the last seven days and are unaware of his location. In addition, Mr. Thompson failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing in Salina Municipal Court on June 14, 2022.The Salina Police Department has received information that foul play may be involved in Mr. Thompson’s disappearance.If you have had contact with Nathan Thompson since June 1, 2022, have information concerning his disappearance, or have information relative to the fire at 1635 Elgin please contact the Salina PoliceDepartment at 785-826-7210. You may also call Crimestoppers at 785-825-TIPS or make an online tip at: <a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#</a>. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210 and ask to speak to Detective Lemon, case 2022-17281.

Search continues: Foul play could be involved in Kan. man's disappearance

By RUDI KELLER <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/06/21/eric-greitens-calls-mounting-criticism-of-rino-hunting-video-faux-outrage/">Missouri Independent</a>

Eric Greitens defended his <a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/06/20/eric-greitens-ad-touts-hunting-permit-for-gop-rivals-in-missouri-u-s-senate-race/">“RINO Hunting” video</a>
 during a Tuesday morning radio interview, saying critics who see it as a
 call to kill political opponents are “snowflakes” expressing “faux 
outrage.”

In an appearance in KCMO’s “Pete 
Mundo in the Morning” show, Greitens said the video had been seen by 3.5
 million people, generated thousands of hits on the fundraising site it 
promotes and achieved its dual purposes of getting attention for his 
campaign and outraging his opponents.

“It is entertaining to watch the faux
 outrage of all of the liberals and rhinos snowflakes around the country
 and around the state,” Greitens said.

The 38-second video depicts Greitens,
 carrying a shotgun and with extras in tactical gear and military-style 
weapons, battering down the door of a home looking for RINOs, an acronym
 for Republicans in Name Only. They throw in flash grenades and Greitens
 says to get a “RINO Hunting permit” with “no bagging limit, no tagging 
limit.”

Facebook removed the video for 
violating the site’s policies “prohibiting violence and incitement.” 
Twitter put a warning label on the video for “abusive behavior.”

Greitens defended the video as an 
attempt to use humor in the campaign to make a point about Republicans 
who work too closely with Democrats.

“The idea behind it was very simple: 
We just wanted to demonstrate with a sense of humor and with a sense of 
fun that we are going to take on RINOS,” Greitens said.

But that’s not how the video was interpreted by the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, which has <a target="_blank" href="https://fox2now.com/news/politics/schmitt-endorsed-by-the-missouri-fraternal-order-of-police/">endorsed Attorney General Eric Schmitt</a> in the Senate primary, or the Eagle Forum PAC, which hasn’t endorsed anyone.

“This deplorable video has no place 
in our political system and sends a dangerous message that it is somehow
 acceptable to kill those who have differing political beliefs,” the FOP
 said in a news release Monday.

The Eagle Forum PAC, an outgrowth of the movement founded by conservative leader Phyllis Schlafly, also denounced the video.&nbsp;

“Eric Greitens’ ‘RINO hunting’ 
campaign ad is deeply disturbing, authoritarian and anti-conservative,” 
said Anne Schlafly Cori, the group’s chairwoman. “Advocating violence is
 a disqualifier for public office.”

The Eagle Forum PAC called Greitens a “CRINO” — a Conservative Republican in Name Only — and called on him to withdraw.

“This horrific ad — suggesting that 
firearms should be used to hunt human beings with whom he disagrees – 
debases the right to keep and bear arms, dishonors law enforcement and 
the military, and is antithetical to conservative pro-life values,” 
Eagle Forum President Kris Ullman said in the release.

Greitens was governor from January 2017 until he resigned on June 1, 2018, to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article212822769.html">settle a felony charge and avoid impeachment.</a> He is attempting a political comeback in the Senate race for the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt.

The GOP primary has 21 candidates and Greitens has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2022/senate/Missouri.html">led in most polls.</a>
 His top rivals in the race, according to the polls, are Schmitt, U.S. 
Reps. Vicky Hartzler and Billy Long, state Senate President Pro Tem Dave
 Schatz and St. Louis attorney Mark McCloskey.

One of the candidates <a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/06/13/lesser-know-candidates-struggle-for-spotlight-in-missouri-senate-primaries/">struggling to break into that top six</a>,
 Curtis Vaughn of Springfield, said in a statement that he did not see 
humor in the video and instead saw a call to hunt Americans.

My take is that Greitens, just called on all of us-you, me, and any opponents to MAGA or him, to be murdered,” Vaughn said.

He was driven from the governor’s 
office in 2018 as he faced felony charges stemming from a 2015 incident 
in his St. Louis home where he was accused of forcing a woman to have 
sexual relations and then allegedly photographing her naked and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.vox.com/2018/4/11/17227132/eric-greitens-missouri-governor-rape-sexual-assault-nonconsensual-force-revenge-porn-blackmail">threatening to make the photos public</a> if she told anyone about the encounter.

Greitens has denied all of the allegations.

“The creation and release of this 
video again demonstrates that Mr. Greitens does not possess the sound 
judgment necessary to represent the people of Missouri in the United 
States Senate, and that he has learned nothing from the legal problems 
he experienced prior to resigning as Missouri’s governor,” the FOP 
release stated.

The “RINO hunt” video comes as Greitens’ ex-wife continues to accuse him of <a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/03/21/eric-greitens-accused-of-physical-abuse-in-affidavit-filed-by-his-ex-wife/">physically abusing her and their children</a> in a Boone County child custody proceeding.&nbsp;

The case, which is about whether courts in Missouri or Texas, where Sheena Greitens lives now, is set for a trial in late July.&nbsp;

In the radio appearance, Greitens 
portrayed his time as governor as a success for cutting taxes, stopping 
low-income housing tax credits and calling lawmakers into special 
session to pass anti-abortion legislation.

In his 2016 campaign, Greitens told 
Mundo, he said “we’re gonna blow up the political establishment. It 
didn’t mean we’re literally gonna blow up the Capitol with gasoline 
bombs. It meant that we’re going to go and do exactly what we did.”

Greitens dismissed a statement from state Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden that he had <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article262703632.html">asked the Missouri State Highway Patrol</a>
 a tweet from a pro-Greitens account, since deleted, that used the video
 to say they had their permit and are “coming for” Rowden, Gov. Mike 
Parson and others.

“I don’t think we even need to respond to all of the RINOS and their histrionics,” he said.

In the radio appearance, Greitens 
said the ad was meant to set him apart from his foes and reinforce the 
message of his campaign that he was the real “America First” 
conservative.

“The question you could ask yourself 
is, was there any ad that the Eric Greitens campaign was going to do 
that RINOS and the mainstream media would love?” Greitens said. “Of 
course not. We knew that they were going to come out and attack us and 
that’s what they’ve done.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655824633551.png" alt="Eric Greitens after filing to run in the Missouri Senate primary. He is under fire for posting a video offering "RINO Hunting permits" as a fundraising gimmick. (photo by Madeline Carter)" />
 <figcaption>Eric Greitens after filing to run in the Missouri Senate primary. He is under fire for posting a video offering "RINO Hunting permits" as a fundraising gimmick. (photo by Madeline Carter)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RUDI KELLER <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/06/21/eric-greitens-calls-mounting-criticism-of-rino-hunting-video-faux-outrage/">Missouri Independent</a>Eric Greitens defended his <a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/06/20/eric-greitens-ad-touts-hunting-permit-for-gop-rivals-in-missouri-u-s-senate-race/">“RINO Hunting” video</a>
 during a Tuesday morning radio interview, saying critics who see it as a
 call to kill political opponents are “snowflakes” expressing “faux 
outrage.”In an appearance in KCMO’s “Pete 
Mundo in the Morning” show, Greitens said the video had been seen by 3.5
 million people, generated thousands of hits on the fundraising site it 
promotes and achieved its dual purposes of getting attention for his 
campaign and outraging his opponents.“It is entertaining to watch the faux
 outrage of all of the liberals and rhinos snowflakes around the country
 and around the state,” Greitens said.The 38-second video depicts Greitens,
 carrying a shotgun and with extras in tactical gear and military-style 
weapons, battering down the door of a home looking for RINOs, an acronym
 for Republicans in Name Only. They throw in flash grenades and Greitens
 says to get a “RINO Hunting permit” with “no bagging limit, no tagging 
limit.”Facebook removed the video for 
violating the site’s policies “prohibiting violence and incitement.” 
Twitter put a warning label on the video for “abusive behavior.”Greitens defended the video as an 
attempt to use humor in the campaign to make a point about Republicans 
who work too closely with Democrats.“The idea behind it was very simple: 
We just wanted to demonstrate with a sense of humor and with a sense of 
fun that we are going to take on RINOS,” Greitens said.But that’s not how the video was interpreted by the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police, which has <a target="_blank" href="https://fox2now.com/news/politics/schmitt-endorsed-by-the-missouri-fraternal-order-of-police/">endorsed Attorney General Eric Schmitt</a> in the Senate primary, or the Eagle Forum PAC, which hasn’t endorsed anyone.“This deplorable video has no place 
in our political system and sends a dangerous message that it is somehow
 acceptable to kill those who have differing political beliefs,” the FOP
 said in a news release Monday.The Eagle Forum PAC, an outgrowth of the movement founded by conservative leader Phyllis Schlafly, also denounced the video.&nbsp;“Eric Greitens’ ‘RINO hunting’ 
campaign ad is deeply disturbing, authoritarian and anti-conservative,” 
said Anne Schlafly Cori, the group’s chairwoman. “Advocating violence is
 a disqualifier for public office.”The Eagle Forum PAC called Greitens a “CRINO” — a Conservative Republican in Name Only — and called on him to withdraw.“This horrific ad — suggesting that 
firearms should be used to hunt human beings with whom he disagrees – 
debases the right to keep and bear arms, dishonors law enforcement and 
the military, and is antithetical to conservative pro-life values,” 
Eagle Forum President Kris Ullman said in the release.Greitens was governor from January 2017 until he resigned on June 1, 2018, to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article212822769.html">settle a felony charge and avoid impeachment.</a> He is attempting a political comeback in the Senate race for the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt.The GOP primary has 21 candidates and Greitens has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2022/senate/Missouri.html">led in most polls.</a>
 His top rivals in the race, according to the polls, are Schmitt, U.S. 
Reps. Vicky Hartzler and Billy Long, state Senate President Pro Tem Dave
 Schatz and St. Louis attorney Mark McCloskey.One of the candidates <a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/06/13/lesser-know-candidates-struggle-for-spotlight-in-missouri-senate-primaries/">struggling to break into that top six</a>,
 Curtis Vaughn of Springfield, said in a statement that he did not see 
humor in the video and instead saw a call to hunt Americans.My take is that Greitens, just called on all of us-you, me, and any opponents to MAGA or him, to be murdered,” Vaughn said.He was driven from the governor’s 
office in 2018 as he faced felony charges stemming from a 2015 incident 
in his St. Louis home where he was accused of forcing a woman to have 
sexual relations and then allegedly photographing her naked and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.vox.com/2018/4/11/17227132/eric-greitens-missouri-governor-rape-sexual-assault-nonconsensual-force-revenge-porn-blackmail">threatening to make the photos public</a> if she told anyone about the encounter.Greitens has denied all of the allegations.“The creation and release of this 
video again demonstrates that Mr. Greitens does not possess the sound 
judgment necessary to represent the people of Missouri in the United 
States Senate, and that he has learned nothing from the legal problems 
he experienced prior to resigning as Missouri’s governor,” the FOP 
release stated.The “RINO hunt” video comes as Greitens’ ex-wife continues to accuse him of <a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/03/21/eric-greitens-accused-of-physical-abuse-in-affidavit-filed-by-his-ex-wife/">physically abusing her and their children</a> in a Boone County child custody proceeding.&nbsp;The case, which is about whether courts in Missouri or Texas, where Sheena Greitens lives now, is set for a trial in late July.&nbsp;In the radio appearance, Greitens 
portrayed his time as governor as a success for cutting taxes, stopping 
low-income housing tax credits and calling lawmakers into special 
session to pass anti-abortion legislation.In his 2016 campaign, Greitens told 
Mundo, he said “we’re gonna blow up the political establishment. It 
didn’t mean we’re literally gonna blow up the Capitol with gasoline 
bombs. It meant that we’re going to go and do exactly what we did.”Greitens dismissed a statement from state Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden that he had <a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article262703632.html">asked the Missouri State Highway Patrol</a>
 a tweet from a pro-Greitens account, since deleted, that used the video
 to say they had their permit and are “coming for” Rowden, Gov. Mike 
Parson and others.“I don’t think we even need to respond to all of the RINOS and their histrionics,” he said.In the radio appearance, Greitens 
said the ad was meant to set him apart from his foes and reinforce the 
message of his campaign that he was the real “America First” 
conservative.“The question you could ask yourself 
is, was there any ad that the Eric Greitens campaign was going to do 
that RINOS and the mainstream media would love?” Greitens said. “Of 
course not. We knew that they were going to come out and attack us and 
that’s what they’ve done.”

Greitens calls criticism of RINO-hunting video ‘faux outrage’

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

The people have asked for it, and now they shall receive. Demand for a steakhouse in Great Bend has existed for some time, and Dennis Crouse plans to deliver with the opening of Tellers 1872 later this summer.

"Every time you see a post on Facebook about a new restaurant coming to town, everyone says why can't we get an American buffet?" said Tellers' general manager. "Why can't we have a steakhouse? Why can't we get prime rib? Why can't we get a nice meal? We're giving them a little bit of both."

The new steakhouse will be located behind Re-Perks, with a Lakin-Street entrance just east of Main Street. The restaurant will have different lunch and dinner options.

"It's basically going to be a steakhouse and a lunch buffet," the general manager said. "We're going to do a lunch buffet Monday through Friday. We'll always have fried chicken on the buffet and one other meat, and the sides, and a salad bar."

Patrons will have a variety of menu options in the evening, including steak, pork chops, and chicken fried steak. Prime rib will be available every night. Riggs said the steakhouse will also offer fabulous deserts and tableside service. 

At this time, Tellers has not set an opening date due to construction, but Riggs said it will be worth the wait.

"It's going to be a really nice dining room," he said. "I'm really excited to see them finish it."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655744760894.jpeg" alt="The new steakhouse restaurant in Great Bend plans to open later this summer inside the Zarah Mall at the Lakin &amp; Main intersection." />
 <figcaption>The new steakhouse restaurant in Great Bend plans to open later this summer inside the Zarah Mall at the Lakin &amp; Main intersection.</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostThe people have asked for it, and now they shall receive. Demand for a steakhouse in Great Bend has existed for some time, and Dennis Crouse plans to deliver with the opening of Tellers 1872 later this summer."Every time you see a post on Facebook about a new restaurant coming to town, everyone says why can't we get an American buffet?" said Tellers' general manager. "Why can't we have a steakhouse? Why can't we get prime rib? Why can't we get a nice meal? We're giving them a little bit of both."The new steakhouse will be located behind Re-Perks, with a Lakin-Street entrance just east of Main Street. The restaurant will have different lunch and dinner options."It's basically going to be a steakhouse and a lunch buffet," the general manager said. "We're going to do a lunch buffet Monday through Friday. We'll always have fried chicken on the buffet and one other meat, and the sides, and a salad bar."Patrons will have a variety of menu options in the evening, including steak, pork chops, and chicken fried steak. Prime rib will be available every night. Riggs said the steakhouse will also offer fabulous deserts and tableside service. At this time, Tellers has not set an opening date due to construction, but Riggs said it will be worth the wait."It's going to be a really nice dining room," he said. "I'm really excited to see them finish it."

New steakhouse coming soon to downtown Great Bend

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has rejected Bayer's appeal to shut down thousands of lawsuits claiming that its Roundup weedkiller causes cancer.

The justices on Tuesday left in place a $25 million judgment in favor of Edwin Hardeman, a&nbsp;California&nbsp;man who says he developed cancer from using Roundup for decades to treat poison oak, overgrowth and weeds on his San Francisco Bay Area property. Hardeman's lawsuit had served as a test case for thousands of similar lawsuits.

The high court’s action comes amid a series of court fights over Roundup that have pointed in different directions.

On Friday, a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected an Environmental Protection Agency finding from 2020 that glyphosate does not pose a serious health risk and is “not likely” to cause cancer in humans. The appellate court ordered the EPA to reexamine its finding.

At the same time, Bayer has won four consecutive trials in state court against people who claimed they got cancer from their use of Roundup. The latest verdict in favor of the company came last week in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/oregon">Oregon</a>.

Bayer had argued that federal regulators have repeatedly determined its products are safe, and that lawsuits based on claims under state laws should be dismissed.

Last year, Bayer set aside $4.5 billion to deal with the claims that glyphosate, the weed-killing ingredient in Roundup, causes non-Hodgins lymphoma, a type of cancer. The company had previously taken a charge of nearly $10 billion for earlier rounds of litigation.

Bayer also had warned that allowing these sorts of claims will damage innovation in agriculture, health and other industries.

Bayer inherited Roundup and the litigation when it acquired Monsanto in 2018.

The EPA says on its website that there is “no evidence glyphosate causes cancer humans.” But in 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, classified glyphosate as ”probably carcinogenic to humans.” The agency said it relied on “limited” evidence of cancer in people and “sufficient” evidence of cancer in study animals.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has rejected Bayer's appeal to shut down thousands of lawsuits claiming that its Roundup weedkiller causes cancer.The justices on Tuesday left in place a $25 million judgment in favor of Edwin Hardeman, a&nbsp;California&nbsp;man who says he developed cancer from using Roundup for decades to treat poison oak, overgrowth and weeds on his San Francisco Bay Area property. Hardeman's lawsuit had served as a test case for thousands of similar lawsuits.The high court’s action comes amid a series of court fights over Roundup that have pointed in different directions.On Friday, a panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected an Environmental Protection Agency finding from 2020 that glyphosate does not pose a serious health risk and is “not likely” to cause cancer in humans. The appellate court ordered the EPA to reexamine its finding.At the same time, Bayer has won four consecutive trials in state court against people who claimed they got cancer from their use of Roundup. The latest verdict in favor of the company came last week in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/oregon">Oregon</a>.Bayer had argued that federal regulators have repeatedly determined its products are safe, and that lawsuits based on claims under state laws should be dismissed.Last year, Bayer set aside $4.5 billion to deal with the claims that glyphosate, the weed-killing ingredient in Roundup, causes non-Hodgins lymphoma, a type of cancer. The company had previously taken a charge of nearly $10 billion for earlier rounds of litigation.Bayer also had warned that allowing these sorts of claims will damage innovation in agriculture, health and other industries.Bayer inherited Roundup and the litigation when it acquired Monsanto in 2018.The EPA says on its website that there is “no evidence glyphosate causes cancer humans.” But in 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization, classified glyphosate as ”probably carcinogenic to humans.” The agency said it relied on “limited” evidence of cancer in people and “sufficient” evidence of cancer in study animals.The Justice Department, which had sided with Bayer in the lower courts during the Trump administration, recommended that the high court not get involved.Bayer maintains the product is safe, but said that it would replace glyphosate in Roundup for residential use beginning in 2023. Products containing glyphosate will still be available for professional and farm use.