TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An 18-year-old has been charged in the death of his 6-month-old daughter. 

Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay announced Friday that Tray’vonne Da’Mont Jones-McNeal has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Brielle Jones. 

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that he also faces an alternative count of reckless but unintentional second-degree murder. Kagay said that rescue workers were called early Thursday to an apartment and found Brielle suffering from blunt-force trauma injuries. 

She was taken to a Topeka hospital, where she died an hour later. Topeka police Lt. Manuel Munoz said the girl’s mother was also taken to the hospital, where she was treated, then released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648722249337.png" alt="Jones-McNeal-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Jones-McNeal-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An 18-year-old has been charged in the death of his 6-month-old daughter. Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay announced Friday that Tray’vonne Da’Mont Jones-McNeal has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Brielle Jones. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that he also faces an alternative count of reckless but unintentional second-degree murder. Kagay said that rescue workers were called early Thursday to an apartment and found Brielle suffering from blunt-force trauma injuries. She was taken to a Topeka hospital, where she died an hour later. Topeka police Lt. Manuel Munoz said the girl’s mother was also taken to the hospital, where she was treated, then released.

Report: 6-month-old Kansas girl died of blunt force trauma

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Applebee's has confirmed that an employee of a Missouri-based franchisee has been fired after sending an email speculating that high gas prices and the end of pandemic stimulus money would force employees to work longer hours for lower pay.

“This is the opinion of an individual, not Applebee’s,” Kevin Carrol, Applebee’s chief operations officer, said in a statement, adding that the franchisee terminated the midlevel worker. The employee didn't work directly for Applebee’s.

Issues arose after someone shared the email last month with Jake Holcomb, who was the manager of an Applebee’s restaurant in Lawrence, Kansas. He quit soon after he read the email, which said: “As inflation continues to climb and gas prices continue to go up that means more hours employees will need to work to maintain their current level of living.”

Holcomb said he printed a couple dozen copies and left them where servers could find them, the Springfield News-Leader reported.

“Then, I gave everyone in the restaurant their food for free and we just left; we didn’t even close the store,” he said, adding that he also shared the email with a friend who posted a screenshot to Reddit on March 21.

The restaurant remained closed the next day and the email began circulating widely online.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1648927764925.png" alt="Applebees in the 2500 Block of Iowa Street in Lawrence -Google image" />
 <figcaption>Applebees in the 2500 Block of Iowa Street in Lawrence -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Applebee's has confirmed that an employee of a Missouri-based franchisee has been fired after sending an email speculating that high gas prices and the end of pandemic stimulus money would force employees to work longer hours for lower pay.“This is the opinion of an individual, not Applebee’s,” Kevin Carrol, Applebee’s chief operations officer, said in a statement, adding that the franchisee terminated the midlevel worker. The employee didn't work directly for Applebee’s.Issues arose after someone shared the email last month with Jake Holcomb, who was the manager of an Applebee’s restaurant in Lawrence, Kansas. He quit soon after he read the email, which said: “As inflation continues to climb and gas prices continue to go up that means more hours employees will need to work to maintain their current level of living.”Holcomb said he printed a couple dozen copies and left them where servers could find them, the Springfield News-Leader reported.“Then, I gave everyone in the restaurant their food for free and we just left; we didn’t even close the store,” he said, adding that he also shared the email with a friend who posted a screenshot to Reddit on March 21.The restaurant remained closed the next day and the email began circulating widely online.

Applebee's franchisee worker fired over leaked email

TOPEKA, Kansas – Lansing Correctional Facility resident Casey Wallace&nbsp; died Friday after being transported to St. John Hospital, Leavenworth, where he was pronounced deceased by hospital staff, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

 The cause of death is pending an autopsy but is not believed to be COVID-19 related.

Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of KDOC the death is under investigation by KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI).

Wallace, 28, has been incarcerated since March 24, 2021 for distributing marijuana and possession of a firearm.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1648929406591.png" alt="Casey photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Casey photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kansas – Lansing Correctional Facility resident Casey Wallace&nbsp; died Friday after being transported to St. John Hospital, Leavenworth, where he was pronounced deceased by hospital staff, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections. The cause of death is pending an autopsy but is not believed to be COVID-19 related.Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of KDOC the death is under investigation by KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI).Wallace, 28, has been incarcerated since March 24, 2021 for distributing marijuana and possession of a firearm.

Kan. inmate serving time for marijuana distribution has died

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced Friday that March's total tax receipts continued their positive pattern. Total tax receipts were $679.6 million, which is $80.2 million, or 13.4%, more than the November 2021 revised estimate.

"Due to the state's sales tax on groceries and pandemic-induced inflation, Kansans continue to pay some of the highest grocery prices in the nation,"&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. "These collection numbers demonstrate the ability to 'Axe the Food Tax,' eliminating the state's sales tax on groceries on July 1, which provides immediate relief to all Kansans."

Kansas lawmakers did not act on eliminating the food tax before they adjourned early Saturday for their annual, three-week spring break.

The four major tax sources continue to perform well nine months into the 2022 fiscal year. Individual income tax collections were $298.2 million. That is $38.2 million, or 14.7%, over the estimate. Corporate income tax collections were $27.6 million, which exceeded the estimate by $9.6 million, or 53.6%.

Retail sales tax collections were $217.5 million. That is $17.5 million, or 8.8%, over the estimate and 12.0% over March 2021, reflecting better than expected growth. Compensating use tax collections were $62.8 million, which is $0.8 million over the estimate, and $20.2 million, or 47.5%, greater than March 2021.

The&nbsp;South Dakota v. Wayfair&nbsp;decision and the 2021 marketplace facilitators legislation have had significant impact on compensating use tax receipts. In March 2018, three months before&nbsp;Wayfair, collections totaled $29.5 million; collections from that tax source more than doubled in March 2022 to $62.8 million.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"The compensating use tax has shown itself to be a reliable revenue source and will surpass corporate income tax as the third major Kansas tax source as it is on a trajectory to meet the $760.0 million estimate for such tax for Fiscal Year 2022,"&nbsp;Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said.

The Consensus Revenue Estimating Group, comprised of the Department of Revenue, Division of Budget, Legislative Research Department, and economists from the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, and Wichita State University, will meet on April 20th. The group will review the fall estimate and make any revisions it may consider necessary.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636397746353.png" alt="Governor Laura Kelly said, "These collection numbers demonstrate the ability to 'Axe the Food Tax.'" />
 <figcaption>Governor Laura Kelly said, "These collection numbers demonstrate the ability to 'Axe the Food Tax.'</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced Friday that March's total tax receipts continued their positive pattern. Total tax receipts were $679.6 million, which is $80.2 million, or 13.4%, more than the November 2021 revised estimate."Due to the state's sales tax on groceries and pandemic-induced inflation, Kansans continue to pay some of the highest grocery prices in the nation,"&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. "These collection numbers demonstrate the ability to 'Axe the Food Tax,' eliminating the state's sales tax on groceries on July 1, which provides immediate relief to all Kansans."Kansas lawmakers did not act on eliminating the food tax before they adjourned early Saturday for their annual, three-week spring break.The four major tax sources continue to perform well nine months into the 2022 fiscal year. Individual income tax collections were $298.2 million. That is $38.2 million, or 14.7%, over the estimate. Corporate income tax collections were $27.6 million, which exceeded the estimate by $9.6 million, or 53.6%.Retail sales tax collections were $217.5 million. That is $17.5 million, or 8.8%, over the estimate and 12.0% over March 2021, reflecting better than expected growth. Compensating use tax collections were $62.8 million, which is $0.8 million over the estimate, and $20.2 million, or 47.5%, greater than March 2021.The&nbsp;South Dakota v. Wayfair&nbsp;decision and the 2021 marketplace facilitators legislation have had significant impact on compensating use tax receipts. In March 2018, three months before&nbsp;Wayfair, collections totaled $29.5 million; collections from that tax source more than doubled in March 2022 to $62.8 million.&nbsp;&nbsp;"The compensating use tax has shown itself to be a reliable revenue source and will surpass corporate income tax as the third major Kansas tax source as it is on a trajectory to meet the $760.0 million estimate for such tax for Fiscal Year 2022,"&nbsp;Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said.The Consensus Revenue Estimating Group, comprised of the Department of Revenue, Division of Budget, Legislative Research Department, and economists from the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, and Wichita State University, will meet on April 20th. The group will review the fall estimate and make any revisions it may consider necessary.

Kelly: Kan. tax collection numbers show state could axe food tax

This <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16758-bbb-tip-phishing-scams">phishing scam</a> looks like an honest mistake, but it’s not. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/">BBB Scam Tracker</a> is getting reports of phony emails that appear to be receipts for a new iPhone…. that you didn't buy. Scammers are hoping you’ll panic and contact them to correct the “error.”

You receive an email saying you purchased a new iPhone,
 and your Amazon account, bank account, or credit card will be charged. 
But you didn’t buy a new phone! Eager to reverse the charge, you call 
the customer service number included in the email. The email may even 
specifically say: “Didn’t make this purchase? Contact us at…” or “If you
 feel you are receiving this message in error, contact us immediately.”

When you call the number, you speak to a helpful customer service 
representative who says they can fix the problem. However, you must act 
immediately before the charge posts to your account.

One consumer reported the following: “I called the number to get a 
refund. I told them there wasn’t a purchase on my account for $999.00, 
and they told me it wouldn’t show up for 24 hours and that’s why I need 
to cancel it right away.” The scammer asked the consumer to download an 
app as part of the refund process. When the consumer refused, the 
scammer hung up on them.

Con artists also told victims that their accounts had been hacked. In
 these cases, the “customer service rep” asked for credit card or bank 
information, claiming they need it to cancel the sale. No matter what scammers say, don’t fall for it. Remember, con artists often stoop to scare tactics to trick you into action.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>BBBThis <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16758-bbb-tip-phishing-scams">phishing scam</a> looks like an honest mistake, but it’s not. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/">BBB Scam Tracker</a> is getting reports of phony emails that appear to be receipts for a new iPhone…. that you didn't buy. Scammers are hoping you’ll panic and contact them to correct the “error.”<h2>How the scam works</h2>You receive an email saying you purchased a new iPhone,
 and your Amazon account, bank account, or credit card will be charged. 
But you didn’t buy a new phone! Eager to reverse the charge, you call 
the customer service number included in the email. The email may even 
specifically say: “Didn’t make this purchase? Contact us at…” or “If you
 feel you are receiving this message in error, contact us immediately.”When you call the number, you speak to a helpful customer service 
representative who says they can fix the problem. However, you must act 
immediately before the charge posts to your account.One consumer reported the following: “I called the number to get a 
refund. I told them there wasn’t a purchase on my account for $999.00, 
and they told me it wouldn’t show up for 24 hours and that’s why I need 
to cancel it right away.” The scammer asked the consumer to download an 
app as part of the refund process. When the consumer refused, the 
scammer hung up on them.Con artists also told victims that their accounts had been hacked. In
 these cases, the “customer service rep” asked for credit card or bank 
information, claiming they need it to cancel the sale. No matter what scammers say, don’t fall for it. Remember, con artists often stoop to scare tactics to trick you into action.<h2>How to avoid phishing scams</h2><ul>
 <li>Double check the sender’s email address. Phishing 
emails are usually designed to look like they come from a reputable 
source like your bank or Amazon. But look closely at the sender’s email 
to see if it’s really from an official source.</li><li>Check your bank for charges first. If you receive 
an email claiming that you’ve made a purchase, check your bank or credit
 card account. If the change isn’t there, it’s likely a scam. Don’t 
contact the scammers. Instead, erase the email and block the sender.</li><li>Never click on suspicious links. It’s best not to 
click on links in unsolicited emails you receive from unknown senders. 
These links could download malware onto your computer or mobile device, 
making you vulnerable to identity theft. </li>
 </ul>Cover image courtesy Unsplash

Scam alert: Charged for an iPhone you didn’t buy? Don’t panic

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue asking the public to help locate an inmate who was released from jail by mistake.

On March 24, inmate Elijah Nehemiah Reed was released from the Sedgwick County Detention Facility in error, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.

Reed was in custody on two writs to detain through the Juvenile District Court and a criminal possession of a firearm charge through the Adult District Court. After the adult case was dismissed by the District Court a paperwork error in the Sheriff’s Office was made concerning the sentencing status of the two juvenile cases and Reed was released from custody in error.

Reed is a 20 year old African-American who was last known to live in Wichita. He is 6-foot -2,&nbsp; weighs approximately 150 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Reed could be dangerous and possibly armed.

If you know of Reed’s whereabouts please call 911.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648080074670.png" alt="Reed photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Reed photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue asking the public to help locate an inmate who was released from jail by mistake.On March 24, inmate Elijah Nehemiah Reed was released from the Sedgwick County Detention Facility in error, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.Reed was in custody on two writs to detain through the Juvenile District Court and a criminal possession of a firearm charge through the Adult District Court. After the adult case was dismissed by the District Court a paperwork error in the Sheriff’s Office was made concerning the sentencing status of the two juvenile cases and Reed was released from custody in error.Reed is a 20 year old African-American who was last known to live in Wichita. He is 6-foot -2,&nbsp; weighs approximately 150 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Reed could be dangerous and possibly armed.If you know of Reed’s whereabouts please call 911.

Search continues for dangerous Kan. inmate released by mistake

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A ban on transgender girls and women competing in female school sports in&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;was approved early Saturday by conservative legislators but didn’t appear to have enough support to override the Democratic governor’s almost certain veto.

The state House approved the measure, 74-39, leaving supporters 10 votes short of the two-thirds majority necessary to overturn a veto from Gov. Laura Kelly. While a dozen of the House's 125 members were absent, at least five were likely to vote no.

The Senate passed the bill, 25-13, sending it to Kelly. But supporters were two votes short of a two-thirds Senate majority, and two Republicans who were absent have split over the proposal in the past.

Republicans nationwide have pushed the issue, framing it as fairness in competition and access to scholarships to appeal to a broad swath of voters. At least 12 other states have enacted such laws, including&nbsp;Arizona&nbsp;and&nbsp;Oklahoma&nbsp;this week.

In Kansas, the proposal was part of a larger agenda for conservatives who lead the Republican-controlled Legislature, with Kelly facing a tough reelection race this year. Conservatives advanced a measure to respond to concerns about what’s taught in public schools by making it easier for parents to try to remove materials from classrooms and libraries, and they also sought to tighten election laws.

Kansas lawmakers wanted to finish the bulk of their business for the year before adjourning for their annual three-week spring break late Friday or early Saturday. Groups of House and Senate negotiators haggled over the final versions of bills, in between debates and votes on others in each chamber.

Kelly vetoed a bill last year on transgender athletes, and an effort to override her veto fell a single vote short of the necessary two-thirds majority in the Senate.

State Rep. Heather Meyer, an Overland Park Democrat, said the bill told transgender children that “they are not valid.” After speaking about her transgender 12-year-old son and her son's transgender best friend, she wiped her eyes with a tissue as the debate continued.

“This is my child, and I'm going to stand up for them. I'm going to stand up for their friends. I'm going to stand up for their peers,” Meyer said. “This is just wrong.”

The state activities association requires schools to notify the association if a student plans to participate on a team “opposite their birth gender." It allows each school to decide what team a student joins, and the association's executive board settles disputes.

The association has been notified of six or seven transgender athletes in grades 7 through 12, Executive Director Bill Faflick said. Several legislators said one is a transgender girl.

LGBTQ-rights activists said debates over such measures stress transgender youth, increase bullying and lead to more suicides.

“When this is over, and we go on break, I will go to my house, and there will be families that come to my porch and look at me and say, ‘Can you tell us that this is going to be OK?’” said Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Byers, of Wichita, the state’s first and only elected transgender lawmaker, her voice briefly breaking.

She added: “I promise you, your constituents will write ME, and those letters start with, ‘I would tell my representative, but they won’t listen.’”

The bill's supporters argue they're trying to protect hard-won opportunities for girls and women to play sports and win scholarships.

“It makes me sad that the women in the room don't realize that we biological women are being bullied,” said Rep. Tatum Lee, a conservative Ness City Republican. “We do everything we can to protect those being bullied, and I feel bullied.”

Brittany Jones, an attorney who lobbies for the conservative group Kansas Family Voice, said the issue grew even more compelling for athletes and their families when the University of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/pennsylvania">Pennsylvania</a>'s Lia Thomas this month became the first NCAA transgender women's swimming champion.

The bill's supporters frequently refer to transgender women as “biological” men, boys or males in arguing that transgender athletes have unfair advantages.

“You cannot put a uterus into a trans woman," said state Rep. Barbara Wasinger, a conservative Hays Republican. "I have no problem and want to help with gender dysphoria, but I’m not going to do it on the backs of young women trying to succeed and excel in sports.”

Byers called such rhetoric is an attempt at “complete erasure” for transgender women.

Meanwhile, Kansas also was part of Republican state lawmakers' push across the U.S. to tighten election laws and give conservative parents more say in how public schools are run.

One bill approved by the House, 67-46, and by the Senate, 23-15, would require local school boards to adopt policies for giving parents access to classroom materials, challenging materials in classrooms and libraries and allowing them to inspect school records. Senate approval would send it to Kelly.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1648900498513.png" alt="“When this is over, and we go on break, I will go to my house, and there will be families that come to my porch and look at me and say, ‘Can you tell us that this is going to be OK?’” said Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Byers, of Wichita, the state’s first and only elected transgender lawmaker, her voice briefly breaking.- photo by&nbsp;Aileen Berquist ACLU Kansas" />
 <figcaption>“When this is over, and we go on break, I will go to my house, and there will be families that come to my porch and look at me and say, ‘Can you tell us that this is going to be OK?’” said Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Byers, of Wichita, the state’s first and only elected transgender lawmaker, her voice briefly breaking.- photo by&nbsp;Aileen Berquist ACLU Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNA, AP Political WriterTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A ban on transgender girls and women competing in female school sports in&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;was approved early Saturday by conservative legislators but didn’t appear to have enough support to override the Democratic governor’s almost certain veto.The state House approved the measure, 74-39, leaving supporters 10 votes short of the two-thirds majority necessary to overturn a veto from Gov. Laura Kelly. While a dozen of the House's 125 members were absent, at least five were likely to vote no.The Senate passed the bill, 25-13, sending it to Kelly. But supporters were two votes short of a two-thirds Senate majority, and two Republicans who were absent have split over the proposal in the past.Republicans nationwide have pushed the issue, framing it as fairness in competition and access to scholarships to appeal to a broad swath of voters. At least 12 other states have enacted such laws, including&nbsp;Arizona&nbsp;and&nbsp;Oklahoma&nbsp;this week.In Kansas, the proposal was part of a larger agenda for conservatives who lead the Republican-controlled Legislature, with Kelly facing a tough reelection race this year. Conservatives advanced a measure to respond to concerns about what’s taught in public schools by making it easier for parents to try to remove materials from classrooms and libraries, and they also sought to tighten election laws.Kansas lawmakers wanted to finish the bulk of their business for the year before adjourning for their annual three-week spring break late Friday or early Saturday. Groups of House and Senate negotiators haggled over the final versions of bills, in between debates and votes on others in each chamber.Kelly vetoed a bill last year on transgender athletes, and an effort to override her veto fell a single vote short of the necessary two-thirds majority in the Senate.State Rep. Heather Meyer, an Overland Park Democrat, said the bill told transgender children that “they are not valid.” After speaking about her transgender 12-year-old son and her son's transgender best friend, she wiped her eyes with a tissue as the debate continued.“This is my child, and I'm going to stand up for them. I'm going to stand up for their friends. I'm going to stand up for their peers,” Meyer said. “This is just wrong.”The state activities association requires schools to notify the association if a student plans to participate on a team “opposite their birth gender." It allows each school to decide what team a student joins, and the association's executive board settles disputes.The association has been notified of six or seven transgender athletes in grades 7 through 12, Executive Director Bill Faflick said. Several legislators said one is a transgender girl.LGBTQ-rights activists said debates over such measures stress transgender youth, increase bullying and lead to more suicides.“When this is over, and we go on break, I will go to my house, and there will be families that come to my porch and look at me and say, ‘Can you tell us that this is going to be OK?’” said Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Byers, of Wichita, the state’s first and only elected transgender lawmaker, her voice briefly breaking.She added: “I promise you, your constituents will write ME, and those letters start with, ‘I would tell my representative, but they won’t listen.’”The bill's supporters argue they're trying to protect hard-won opportunities for girls and women to play sports and win scholarships.“It makes me sad that the women in the room don't realize that we biological women are being bullied,” said Rep. Tatum Lee, a conservative Ness City Republican. “We do everything we can to protect those being bullied, and I feel bullied.”Brittany Jones, an attorney who lobbies for the conservative group Kansas Family Voice, said the issue grew even more compelling for athletes and their families when the University of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/pennsylvania">Pennsylvania</a>'s Lia Thomas this month became the first NCAA transgender women's swimming champion.The bill's supporters frequently refer to transgender women as “biological” men, boys or males in arguing that transgender athletes have unfair advantages.“You cannot put a uterus into a trans woman," said state Rep. Barbara Wasinger, a conservative Hays Republican. "I have no problem and want to help with gender dysphoria, but I’m not going to do it on the backs of young women trying to succeed and excel in sports.”Byers called such rhetoric is an attempt at “complete erasure” for transgender women.Meanwhile, Kansas also was part of Republican state lawmakers' push across the U.S. to tighten election laws and give conservative parents more say in how public schools are run.One bill approved by the House, 67-46, and by the Senate, 23-15, would require local school boards to adopt policies for giving parents access to classroom materials, challenging materials in classrooms and libraries and allowing them to inspect school records. Senate approval would send it to Kelly.In Kansas, the proposal was part of a larger agenda for conservatives who lead the Republican-controlled Legislature, with Kelly facing a tough reelection race this year. Conservatives advanced a measure to respond to concerns about what’s taught in public schools by making it easier for parents to try to remove materials from classrooms and libraries, and they also sought to tighten election laws.Kansas lawmakers wanted to finish the bulk of their business for the year before adjourning for their annual three-week spring break late Friday or early Saturday. Groups of House and Senate negotiators haggled over the final versions of bills, in between debates and votes on others in each chamber.Kelly vetoed a bill last year on transgender athletes, and an effort to override her veto fell a single vote short of the necessary two-thirds majority in the Senate.State Rep. Heather Meyer, an Overland Park Democrat, said the bill told transgender children that “they are not valid.” After speaking about her transgender 12-year-old son and her son's transgender best friend, she wiped her eyes with a tissue as the debate continued.“This is my child, and I'm going to stand up for them. I'm going to stand up for their friends. I'm going to stand up for their peers,” Meyer said. “This is just wrong.”The state activities association requires schools to notify the association if a student plans to participate on a team “opposite their birth gender." It allows each school to decide what team a student joins, and the association's executive board settles disputes.The association has been notified of six or seven transgender athletes in grades 7 through 12, Executive Director Bill Faflick said. Several legislators said one is a transgender girl.LGBTQ-rights activists said debates over such measures stress transgender youth, increase bullying and lead to more suicides.“When this is over, and we go on break, I will go to my house, and there will be families that come to my porch and look at me and say, ‘Can you tell us that this is going to be OK?’” said Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Byers, of Wichita, the state’s first and only elected transgender lawmaker, her voice briefly breaking.She added: “I promise you, your constituents will write ME, and those letters start with, ‘I would tell my representative, but they won’t listen.’”The bill's supporters argue they're trying to protect hard-won opportunities for girls and women to play sports and win scholarships.“It makes me sad that the women in the room don't realize that we biological women are being bullied,” said Rep. Tatum Lee, a conservative Ness City Republican. “We do everything we can to protect those being bullied, and I feel bullied.”Brittany Jones, an attorney who lobbies for the conservative group Kansas Family Voice, said the issue grew even more compelling for athletes and their families when the University of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/pennsylvania">Pennsylvania</a>'s Lia Thomas this month became the first NCAA transgender women's swimming champion.The bill's supporters frequently refer to transgender women as “biological” men, boys or males in arguing that transgender athletes have unfair advantages.“You cannot put a uterus into a trans woman," said state Rep. Barbara Wasinger, a conservative Hays Republican. "I have no problem and want to help with gender dysphoria, but I’m not going to do it on the backs of young women trying to succeed and excel in sports.”Byers called such rhetoric is an attempt at “complete erasure” for transgender women.Meanwhile, Kansas also was part of Republican state lawmakers' push across the U.S. to tighten election laws and give conservative parents more say in how public schools are run.One bill approved by the House, 67-46, and by the Senate, 23-15, would require local school boards to adopt policies for giving parents access to classroom materials, challenging materials in classrooms and libraries and allowing them to inspect school records. Senate approval would send it to Kelly.

Kansas approves trans sports ban, but veto likely to stick

WASHINGTON (AP) — When the end of the COVID-19 pandemic comes, it could create major disruptions for a cumbersome U.S. health care system made more generous, flexible and up-to-date technologically through a raft of temporary emergency measures.

Winding down those policies could begin as early as the summer. That could force an estimated 15 million Medicaid recipients to find new sources of coverage, require congressional action to preserve broad telehealth access for Medicare enrollees, and scramble special COVID-19 rules and payment policies for hospitals, doctors and insurers. There are also questions about how emergency use approvals for COVID-19 treatments will be handled.

The array of issues is tied to the coronavirus public health emergency first declared more than two years ago and periodically renewed since then. It’s set to end April 16 and the expectation is that the Biden administration will extend it through mid-July. Some would like a longer off-ramp.

Transitions don’t bode well for the complex U.S. health care system, with its mix of private and government insurance and its labyrinth of policies and procedures. Health care chaos, if it breaks out, could create midterm election headaches for Democrats and Republicans alike.

“The flexibilities granted through the public health emergency have helped people stay covered and get access to care, so moving forward the key question is how to build on what has been a success and not lose ground,” said Juliette Cubanski, a Medicare expert with the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation, who has been researching potential consequences of winding down the pandemic emergency.

Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program for low-income people, is covering about 79 million people, a record partly due to the pandemic.

But the nonpartisan Urban Institute think tank estimates that about 15 million people could lose Medicaid when the public health emergency ends, at a rate of at least 1 million per month.

Congress increased federal Medicaid payments to states because of COVID-19, but it also required states to keep people on the rolls during the health emergency. In normal times states routinely disenroll Medicaid recipients whose incomes rise beyond certain levels, or for other life changes affecting eligibility. That process will switch on again when the emergency ends, and some states are eager to move forward.

Virtually all of those losing Medicaid are expected to be eligible for some other source of coverage, either through employers, the Affordable Care Act or — for kids — the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

But that’s not going to happen automatically, said Matthew Buettgens, lead researcher on the Urban Institute study. Cost and lack of awareness about options could get in the way.

People dropped from Medicaid may not realize they can pick up taxpayer-subsidized ACA coverage. Medicaid is usually free, so people offered workplace insurance could find the premiums too high.

“This is an unprecedented situation,” said Buettgens. “The uncertainty is real.”

The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, is advising states to take it slow and connect Medicaid recipients who are disenrolled with other potential coverage. The agency will keep an eye on states’ accuracy in making eligibility decisions. Biden officials want coverage shifts, not losses.

“We are focused making sure we hold on to the gains in coverage we have made under the Biden-Harris administration,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “We are at the strongest point in our history and we are going make sure that we hold on to the coverage gains.”

ACA coverage — or “Obamacare” — is an option for many who would lose Medicaid. But it will be less affordable if congressional Democrats fail to extend generous financial assistance called for in President Joe Biden’s social legislation. Democrats stalling the bill would face blame.

Republicans in mostly Southern states that have refused to expand Medicaid are also vulnerable. In those states, it can be very difficult for low-income adults to get coverage and more people could wind up uninsured.

State Medicaid officials don’t want to be the scapegoats. “Medicaid has done its job,” said Matt Salo, head of the National Association of Medicaid Directors. “We have looked out for physical, mental and behavioral health needs. As we come out of this emergency, we are supposed to right-size the program.”

Millions of Americans discovered telehealth in 2020 when coronavirus shutdowns led to the suspension of routine medical consultations. In-person visits are again the norm, but telehealth has shown its usefulness and gained broader acceptance.

The end of the public health emergency would jeopardize telehealth access for millions enrolled in traditional Medicare. Restrictions predating COVID-19 limit telehealth mainly to rural residents, in part to mitigate against health care fraud. Congress has given itself 151 days after the end of the public health emergency to come up with new rules.

“If there are no changes to the law after that, most Medicare beneficiaries will lose access to coverage for telehealth,” the Kaiser Foundation’s Cubanski said.

A major exception applies to enrollees in private Medicare Advantage plans, which generally do cover telehealth. However, nearly 6 in 10 Medicare enrollees are in the traditional fee-for-service program.

TESTS, VACCINES, TREATMENTS, PAYMENTS &amp; PROCEDURES

Widespread access to COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments rests on legal authority connected to the public health emergency.

One example is the Biden administration’s requirement for insurers to cover up to eight free at-home COVID-19 tests per month.

An area that’s particularly murky is what happens to tests, treatments and vaccines covered under emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration.

Some experts say emergency use approvals last only through the duration of the public health emergency. Others say it’s not as simple as that, because a different federal emergency statute also applies to vaccines, tests and treatments. There’s no clear direction yet from health officials.

The FDA has granted full approval to Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for those 16 and older and Moderna’s for those 18 and older, so their continued use would not be affected.

But hospitals could take a financial hit. Currently they’re paid 20% more for the care of COVID-19 patients. That added payment is only for the duration of the emergency.

And Medicare enrollees would have more hoops to jump through to be approved for rehab in a nursing home. A suspended Medicare rule requiring a prior three-day hospital stay would come back into effect.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra recently told The Associated Press that his department is committed to giving “ample notice” when it ends the public health emergency.

“We want to make sure we’re not putting in a detrimental position Americans who still need our help,” Becerra said. “The one that people are really worried about is Medicaid.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — When the end of the COVID-19 pandemic comes, it could create major disruptions for a cumbersome U.S. health care system made more generous, flexible and up-to-date technologically through a raft of temporary emergency measures.Winding down those policies could begin as early as the summer. That could force an estimated 15 million Medicaid recipients to find new sources of coverage, require congressional action to preserve broad telehealth access for Medicare enrollees, and scramble special COVID-19 rules and payment policies for hospitals, doctors and insurers. There are also questions about how emergency use approvals for COVID-19 treatments will be handled.The array of issues is tied to the coronavirus public health emergency first declared more than two years ago and periodically renewed since then. It’s set to end April 16 and the expectation is that the Biden administration will extend it through mid-July. Some would like a longer off-ramp.Transitions don’t bode well for the complex U.S. health care system, with its mix of private and government insurance and its labyrinth of policies and procedures. Health care chaos, if it breaks out, could create midterm election headaches for Democrats and Republicans alike.“The flexibilities granted through the public health emergency have helped people stay covered and get access to care, so moving forward the key question is how to build on what has been a success and not lose ground,” said Juliette Cubanski, a Medicare expert with the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation, who has been researching potential consequences of winding down the pandemic emergency.MEDICAID CHURNMedicaid, the state-federal health insurance program for low-income people, is covering about 79 million people, a record partly due to the pandemic.But the nonpartisan Urban Institute think tank estimates that about 15 million people could lose Medicaid when the public health emergency ends, at a rate of at least 1 million per month.Congress increased federal Medicaid payments to states because of COVID-19, but it also required states to keep people on the rolls during the health emergency. In normal times states routinely disenroll Medicaid recipients whose incomes rise beyond certain levels, or for other life changes affecting eligibility. That process will switch on again when the emergency ends, and some states are eager to move forward.Virtually all of those losing Medicaid are expected to be eligible for some other source of coverage, either through employers, the Affordable Care Act or — for kids — the Children’s Health Insurance Program.But that’s not going to happen automatically, said Matthew Buettgens, lead researcher on the Urban Institute study. Cost and lack of awareness about options could get in the way.People dropped from Medicaid may not realize they can pick up taxpayer-subsidized ACA coverage. Medicaid is usually free, so people offered workplace insurance could find the premiums too high.“This is an unprecedented situation,” said Buettgens. “The uncertainty is real.”The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, is advising states to take it slow and connect Medicaid recipients who are disenrolled with other potential coverage. The agency will keep an eye on states’ accuracy in making eligibility decisions. Biden officials want coverage shifts, not losses.“We are focused making sure we hold on to the gains in coverage we have made under the Biden-Harris administration,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “We are at the strongest point in our history and we are going make sure that we hold on to the coverage gains.”ACA coverage — or “Obamacare” — is an option for many who would lose Medicaid. But it will be less affordable if congressional Democrats fail to extend generous financial assistance called for in President Joe Biden’s social legislation. Democrats stalling the bill would face blame.Republicans in mostly Southern states that have refused to expand Medicaid are also vulnerable. In those states, it can be very difficult for low-income adults to get coverage and more people could wind up uninsured.State Medicaid officials don’t want to be the scapegoats. “Medicaid has done its job,” said Matt Salo, head of the National Association of Medicaid Directors. “We have looked out for physical, mental and behavioral health needs. As we come out of this emergency, we are supposed to right-size the program.”TELEHEALTH STATICMillions of Americans discovered telehealth in 2020 when coronavirus shutdowns led to the suspension of routine medical consultations. In-person visits are again the norm, but telehealth has shown its usefulness and gained broader acceptance.The end of the public health emergency would jeopardize telehealth access for millions enrolled in traditional Medicare. Restrictions predating COVID-19 limit telehealth mainly to rural residents, in part to mitigate against health care fraud. Congress has given itself 151 days after the end of the public health emergency to come up with new rules.“If there are no changes to the law after that, most Medicare beneficiaries will lose access to coverage for telehealth,” the Kaiser Foundation’s Cubanski said.A major exception applies to enrollees in private Medicare Advantage plans, which generally do cover telehealth. However, nearly 6 in 10 Medicare enrollees are in the traditional fee-for-service program.TESTS, VACCINES, TREATMENTS, PAYMENTS &amp; PROCEDURESWidespread access to COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments rests on legal authority connected to the public health emergency.One example is the Biden administration’s requirement for insurers to cover up to eight free at-home COVID-19 tests per month.An area that’s particularly murky is what happens to tests, treatments and vaccines covered under emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration.Some experts say emergency use approvals last only through the duration of the public health emergency. Others say it’s not as simple as that, because a different federal emergency statute also applies to vaccines, tests and treatments. There’s no clear direction yet from health officials.The FDA has granted full approval to Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for those 16 and older and Moderna’s for those 18 and older, so their continued use would not be affected.But hospitals could take a financial hit. Currently they’re paid 20% more for the care of COVID-19 patients. That added payment is only for the duration of the emergency.And Medicare enrollees would have more hoops to jump through to be approved for rehab in a nursing home. A suspended Medicare rule requiring a prior three-day hospital stay would come back into effect.Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra recently told The Associated Press that his department is committed to giving “ample notice” when it ends the public health emergency.“We want to make sure we’re not putting in a detrimental position Americans who still need our help,” Becerra said. “The one that people are really worried about is Medicaid.”

End of COVID may bring major turbulence for US health care

SEDGWICK COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 8:30p.m. Friday in Sedgwick County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Kia Forte driven by Shereese D. Brown, 25, Kansas City, Mo., was south bound on Interstate 35&nbsp;near MacArthur.

The car struck a pedestrian identified as 25-year-old Domonic Andrew Gibson who entered the roadway.

Gibson was pronounced dead at the scene. The occupants of the Kia were not injured and properly restrained, according to the KHP.&nbsp; The KHP report only said Gibson was from Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1648901664224.png" alt="First responders on the scene of the fatal pedestrian accident-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene of the fatal pedestrian accident-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 8:30p.m. Friday in Sedgwick County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Kia Forte driven by Shereese D. Brown, 25, Kansas City, Mo., was south bound on Interstate 35&nbsp;near MacArthur.The car struck a pedestrian identified as 25-year-old Domonic Andrew Gibson who entered the roadway.Gibson was pronounced dead at the scene. The occupants of the Kia were not injured and properly restrained, according to the KHP.&nbsp; The KHP report only said Gibson was from Kansas.

Kansas man dies after struck by car on Kansas Turnpike

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man is being held without bond for the March 25 fatal shooting of Anthony Villareal in Kansas City, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Gerald R. Robinson II, 23, faces Murder 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action charges.

According to court records, Kansas City police responded on March 25, to the area of 24th and Quincy. They found Villareal suffering from numerous gunshot wounds nearby. 

Surveillance video showed victim walking in the area of 24th and Denver when a maroon vehicle is shown on video chasing him until the suspect leaves the vehicle and chases victim, shooting him several times. 

Police identified the vehicle as registered to Robinson. A search of the vehicle revealed clothing in it that matched the clothing that the suspect shooter was wearing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1648828056423.png" alt="Robinson-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Robinson-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man is being held without bond for the March 25 fatal shooting of Anthony Villareal in Kansas City, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Gerald R. Robinson II, 23, faces Murder 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action charges.According to court records, Kansas City police responded on March 25, to the area of 24th and Quincy. They found Villareal suffering from numerous gunshot wounds nearby. Surveillance video showed victim walking in the area of 24th and Denver when a maroon vehicle is shown on video chasing him until the suspect leaves the vehicle and chases victim, shooting him several times. Police identified the vehicle as registered to Robinson. A search of the vehicle revealed clothing in it that matched the clothing that the suspect shooter was wearing.

Police: Kansas City man chased victim with car and shot him

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A powerful Kansas business group says it has received subpoenas from the state ethics commission for information about campaign finance activities. 

The disclosure Friday from the Kansas Chamber of Commerce came as Republican lawmakers pushed but then abruptly dropped a plan to oust the commission’s top staffer. A chamber spokesperson said in a statement that the Governmental Ethics Commission has launched what the chamber called “an extreme fishing expedition.” It declined to comment on the exact details. 

The statement came after GOP senators proposed setting new qualifications for the ethics commission’s executive director that would remove the current one. But Republican state Sen. Rob Olson of Olathe later said the idea was dropped

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601386295900.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A powerful Kansas business group says it has received subpoenas from the state ethics commission for information about campaign finance activities. The disclosure Friday from the Kansas Chamber of Commerce came as Republican lawmakers pushed but then abruptly dropped a plan to oust the commission’s top staffer. A chamber spokesperson said in a statement that the Governmental Ethics Commission has launched what the chamber called “an extreme fishing expedition.” It declined to comment on the exact details. The statement came after GOP senators proposed setting new qualifications for the ethics commission’s executive director that would remove the current one. But Republican state Sen. Rob Olson of Olathe later said the idea was dropped

Kansas chamber subpoenaed; ethics official briefly targeted

Mrs Hathaway has been found and is safe, according &nbsp;to the KBI.

CRAWFORD COUNTY – The Pittsburg Police Department requested that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Pittsburg woman.

The whereabouts of Betty Hathaway, 81, are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate her. She was last seen this morning at 7:45am.

Hathaway is 5 feet 7 inches tall, 140 pounds, white hair with blue eyes. She has dementia and requires medication, which she does not have with her. She is driving a blue 1992 Buick Le Sabre with a handicap plate KS63658.

If you see her, please contact dispatch at 620-231-1700.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1648852574491.png" alt="&nbsp;Betty Hathaway" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Betty Hathaway</figcaption>
 </figure>Mrs Hathaway has been found and is safe, according &nbsp;to the KBI.——-CRAWFORD COUNTY – The Pittsburg Police Department requested that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Pittsburg woman.The whereabouts of Betty Hathaway, 81, are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate her. She was last seen this morning at 7:45am.Hathaway is 5 feet 7 inches tall, 140 pounds, white hair with blue eyes. She has dementia and requires medication, which she does not have with her. She is driving a blue 1992 Buick Le Sabre with a handicap plate KS63658.If you see her, please contact dispatch at 620-231-1700.

Silver Alert canceled; missing Kan. woman found safe

SEDGWICK COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are seeking information about a burglary that occurred on March 13, at the corner of Murdock and Waco in Wichita.

At approximately 2:10 a.m. on the 13,&nbsp; a white Jeep Grand Cherokee drove past the Professional Pharmacy at the corner of Murdock and Waco in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy. 

The vehicle was going West without headlights on. The Jeep went through the intersection to the West before turning around and driving back East. The Jeep passed by the pharmacy again and stopped just north of Murdock on Wichita Street. 

Two individuals exited the SUV and walked across Murdock to the pharmacy while the Jeep turned back around and stopped.

Another occupant of the Jeep, possibly the driver, got out and went to the Konica Minolta building in the 200 block of W. Murdock. The two people who crossed Murdock, went to the front of the pharmacy and broke the glass to enter. They took bottles of narcotics before leaving the building and returning to the Jeep. The Jeep then left Northbound on Wichita street, still with no headlights on.

Anyone with information regarding this crime, or any crime that occurred in Sedgwick County is eligible to receive a reward by submitting a tip through Crime Stoppers by calling 316- 267-2111 or online at www.stopcrime316.com. Tipsters are always anonymous.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1648831073069.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are seeking information about a burglary that occurred on March 13, at the corner of Murdock and Waco in Wichita.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dv4TPoXoGiI?start=311" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>At approximately 2:10 a.m. on the 13,&nbsp; a white Jeep Grand Cherokee drove past the Professional Pharmacy at the corner of Murdock and Waco in Wichita, according to Officer Trevor Macy. The vehicle was going West without headlights on. The Jeep went through the intersection to the West before turning around and driving back East. The Jeep passed by the pharmacy again and stopped just north of Murdock on Wichita Street. Two individuals exited the SUV and walked across Murdock to the pharmacy while the Jeep turned back around and stopped.Another occupant of the Jeep, possibly the driver, got out and went to the Konica Minolta building in the 200 block of W. Murdock. The two people who crossed Murdock, went to the front of the pharmacy and broke the glass to enter. They took bottles of narcotics before leaving the building and returning to the Jeep. The Jeep then left Northbound on Wichita street, still with no headlights on.Anyone with information regarding this crime, or any crime that occurred in Sedgwick County is eligible to receive a reward by submitting a tip through Crime Stoppers by calling 316- 267-2111 or online at www.stopcrime316.com. Tipsters are always anonymous.

Police ask for help to ID suspects in Kan. pharmacy burglary

RILEY COUNTY—Authorities in Riley County urged drivers near Keats, an unincorporated community&nbsp; Wildcat Township northwest of Manhattan to watch out for the herd of elk, according to a social media report from the Riley County Police Department.

The RCPD responded to a truck that struck two elk. The driver was not injured but the elk did not survive and the truck sustained some heavy damage.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1648840485864.png" alt="Image from a video courtesy of Danielle Brazeau via RCPD" />
 <figcaption>Image from a video courtesy of Danielle Brazeau via RCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY—Authorities in Riley County urged drivers near Keats, an unincorporated community&nbsp; Wildcat Township northwest of Manhattan to watch out for the herd of elk, according to a social media report from the Riley County Police Department.The RCPD responded to a truck that struck two elk. The driver was not injured but the elk did not survive and the truck sustained some heavy damage.

Police alert drivers to herd of elk in northeast Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — Marijuana would be decriminalized at the federal level under legislation the House approved Friday as Democrats made the case for allowing states to set their own policies on pot.

The bill is unlikely to become law since it is expected to die in the Senate. That would mirror what happened when a similar House-passed measure removing marijuana from the list of federally-controlled substances went nowhere in the Senate two years ago.

The Republicans who voted for the measure included&nbsp;Matt Gaetz and Brian Mast of Florida and Rep. Tom McClintock of California.

Still, Friday's vote gave lawmakers the chance to state their view on a decriminalization push that appears to have broad support with voters across the country.

The 2020 election showed how broadly accepted marijuana has become, with measures to legalize recreational pot breezing to victory in progressive New Jersey, moderate Arizona and conservative Montana and South Dakota.

The House approved the bill Friday with a mostly party-line vote of 220-204. All but two voting Democrats backed the measure, while only three Republicans did.

The measure would require federal courts to expunge prior marijuana convictions and conduct resentencing hearings for those completing their sentences. It also authorizes a 5% sales tax on marijuana and marijuana products that would be used for grant programs focused on job training, substance abuse treatment and loans to help disadvantaged small businesses get into the marijuana industry.

Democrats said the nation's federal prohibition on marijuana has had particularly devastating consequences for minority communities. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., cited statistics that showed Black Americans were four times more likely than white Americans to be arrested for marijuana possession, even though they use it at similar rates.

“Those criminal records can haunt people of color and impact the trajectory of their lives indefinitely," Hoyer said. “I regret that there are some members of our Congress who apparently think that's not worthy of attention."

“Make no mistake, yes, it is a racial justice bill," said Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif.

Republicans who opposed the measure said marijuana is a gateway drug that would lead to greater use of opioids and other dangerous substances. They also said the pot sold today is far more potent than what was sold decades ago, leading to greater impairment for those who use it. They said decriminalization is not the priority that lawmakers should be focused on now, with the war in Ukraine and inflation driving up the cost of gas, food and other essential items.

“Yet the priority of this Congress now turns to expanding access to addictive, behavior-altering recreational drugs at a time when our country is also experiencing increased addiction, depression and suicide," said Rep. Bob Good, R-Va.

Thirty-seven states and District of Columbia allow the medical use of cannabis products while 18 states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

“If states are the laboratories of democracy, it is long past time for the federal government to recognize that legalization has been a resounding success and that the conflict with federal law has become untenable," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

In the Senate, Democrats including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York asked colleagues in early February for their input on a marijuana decriminalization bill that they would be introducing later this year.

“This is an issue of individual freedom and basic fairness that clearly transcends party lines," the Democrats said in their letter to colleagues.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1648839519961.png" alt="Friday's vote gave lawmakers the chance to state their view on a decriminalization push that appears to have broad support with voters across the country-photo courtesy House Speaker Nancy Pelosi" />
 <figcaption>Friday's vote gave lawmakers the chance to state their view on a decriminalization push that appears to have broad support with voters across the country-photo courtesy House Speaker Nancy Pelosi</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Marijuana would be decriminalized at the federal level under legislation the House approved Friday as Democrats made the case for allowing states to set their own policies on pot.The bill is unlikely to become law since it is expected to die in the Senate. That would mirror what happened when a similar House-passed measure removing marijuana from the list of federally-controlled substances went nowhere in the Senate two years ago.The Republicans who voted for the measure included&nbsp;Matt Gaetz and Brian Mast of Florida and Rep. Tom McClintock of California.Still, Friday's vote gave lawmakers the chance to state their view on a decriminalization push that appears to have broad support with voters across the country.The 2020 election showed how broadly accepted marijuana has become, with measures to legalize recreational pot breezing to victory in progressive New Jersey, moderate Arizona and conservative Montana and South Dakota.The House approved the bill Friday with a mostly party-line vote of 220-204. All but two voting Democrats backed the measure, while only three Republicans did.The measure would require federal courts to expunge prior marijuana convictions and conduct resentencing hearings for those completing their sentences. It also authorizes a 5% sales tax on marijuana and marijuana products that would be used for grant programs focused on job training, substance abuse treatment and loans to help disadvantaged small businesses get into the marijuana industry.Democrats said the nation's federal prohibition on marijuana has had particularly devastating consequences for minority communities. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., cited statistics that showed Black Americans were four times more likely than white Americans to be arrested for marijuana possession, even though they use it at similar rates.“Those criminal records can haunt people of color and impact the trajectory of their lives indefinitely," Hoyer said. “I regret that there are some members of our Congress who apparently think that's not worthy of attention."“Make no mistake, yes, it is a racial justice bill," said Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif.Republicans who opposed the measure said marijuana is a gateway drug that would lead to greater use of opioids and other dangerous substances. They also said the pot sold today is far more potent than what was sold decades ago, leading to greater impairment for those who use it. They said decriminalization is not the priority that lawmakers should be focused on now, with the war in Ukraine and inflation driving up the cost of gas, food and other essential items.“Yet the priority of this Congress now turns to expanding access to addictive, behavior-altering recreational drugs at a time when our country is also experiencing increased addiction, depression and suicide," said Rep. Bob Good, R-Va.Thirty-seven states and District of Columbia allow the medical use of cannabis products while 18 states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.“If states are the laboratories of democracy, it is long past time for the federal government to recognize that legalization has been a resounding success and that the conflict with federal law has become untenable," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.In the Senate, Democrats including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York asked colleagues in early February for their input on a marijuana decriminalization bill that they would be introducing later this year.“This is an issue of individual freedom and basic fairness that clearly transcends party lines," the Democrats said in their letter to colleagues.

3 in GOP vote with Dems in House to legalize marijuana

SALINA —The Commission on Dental Accreditation has approved Salina Area Technical College’s plans to start a two-year Associate of Applied Science in dental hygiene program, with the first class starting this fall, according to a media release from the school.

Salina Tech has been working towards starting a dental hygiene program since 2017, and the CODA approval was the final step in the process. The college’s Board of Trustees first approved the plan in June of 2019.

This year, just four colleges in the state offer dental hygiene programs, located in Wichita, Kansas City, Emporia and Colby. Manhattan Area Technical College dropped its dental hygiene program in 2020.

Salina Tech has offered a nine-month dental assistant program for many years, but program director Brooke Horner said there’s long been a local need for more dental hygienists, as people who train in Wichita or Kansas City are reluctant to relocate to rural Kansas for work.

The new dental hygiene program will occupy the same classroom and lab space as the current dental assistant program. Those areas are being extensively remodeled over the next few months, including adding new office space for new faculty, and new cabinetry and sinks to serve the additional dental chairs being installed.

The hygiene program will have a licensed dentist on campus, and students will get their real-world experience treating patients in an on-campus clinic.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615606847960.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA —The Commission on Dental Accreditation has approved Salina Area Technical College’s plans to start a two-year Associate of Applied Science in dental hygiene program, with the first class starting this fall, according to a media release from the school.Salina Tech has been working towards starting a dental hygiene program since 2017, and the CODA approval was the final step in the process. The college’s Board of Trustees first approved the plan in June of 2019.This year, just four colleges in the state offer dental hygiene programs, located in Wichita, Kansas City, Emporia and Colby. Manhattan Area Technical College dropped its dental hygiene program in 2020.Salina Tech has offered a nine-month dental assistant program for many years, but program director Brooke Horner said there’s long been a local need for more dental hygienists, as people who train in Wichita or Kansas City are reluctant to relocate to rural Kansas for work.The new dental hygiene program will occupy the same classroom and lab space as the current dental assistant program. Those areas are being extensively remodeled over the next few months, including adding new office space for new faculty, and new cabinetry and sinks to serve the additional dental chairs being installed.The hygiene program will have a licensed dentist on campus, and students will get their real-world experience treating patients in an on-campus clinic.

Salina Tech launching dental hygiene program

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is planning fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly is formally declaring that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 193 to a total of 770,275 the state health department reported Friday afternoon.

The state reported 103 additional COVID-19 death for a total of 8,397 and 29 new hospitalizations since Wednesday.

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

 The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations once a week rather than the current three times a week.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is planning fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly is formally declaring that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 193 to a total of 770,275 the state health department reported Friday afternoon.The state reported 103 additional COVID-19 death for a total of 8,397 and 29 new hospitalizations since Wednesday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1648833370877.png" alt="Friday April 1, 2022-KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday April 1, 2022-KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>Kelly said Thursday that the state health department will continue to support access to free COVID-19 testing, work to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.” The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations once a week rather than the current three times a week.

KDHE reports 103 new COVID deaths; plans fewer COVID updates

OSAGE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after a traffic stop.

Just before 11:30a.m. Thursday, a sheriff's deputy&nbsp;conducted a traffic stop at K-31 Highway and South Fairlawn Road for a traffic violation, according to Osage County Sheriff Chris Wells.

During the stop, a K9 was deployed, and illegal narcotics were located.

The driver of the vehicle, Kevin L. Talbot, 57, of Burlingame, was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges that included possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1648819423610.png" alt="Talbot-photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Talbot-photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after a traffic stop.Just before 11:30a.m. Thursday, a sheriff's deputy&nbsp;conducted a traffic stop at K-31 Highway and South Fairlawn Road for a traffic violation, according to Osage County Sheriff Chris Wells.During the stop, a K9 was deployed, and illegal narcotics were located.The driver of the vehicle, Kevin L. Talbot, 57, of Burlingame, was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges that included possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff's K9 helps in arrest of 57-year-old Kansas drug suspect

MANHATTAN —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the theft of a large amount of clothing from a retailer in Manhattan.

Just after 3:30p.m. Thursday, officers filed a report for theft in the 400 block of 3rd Place in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Dick's Sporting Goods reported three unknown female suspects stole multiple clothing items. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $1,020. 

Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1648824097476.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the theft of a large amount of clothing from a retailer in Manhattan.Just after 3:30p.m. Thursday, officers filed a report for theft in the 400 block of 3rd Place in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.Dick's Sporting Goods reported three unknown female suspects stole multiple clothing items. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $1,020. Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Police: 3 women stole $1000 in clothing from Kan. sporting goods store

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal officials have revoked the license of a Nevada-based gun manufacturer that was accused of illegally selling guns and went bankrupt but then rebranded itself.

The revocation comes after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-lawsuits-illinois-gun-politics-crime-81aa4e6a13da2ff07d069ed48e5b0a1b">a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;that alleged the Justice Department didn’t conduct proper oversight before issuing the license.

The decision to revoke the license of JA Industries was spelled out in a court filing late Wednesday as part of the lawsuit brought by Kansas City, Missouri; Illinois and gun control advocacy group&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gun-background-checks-blocked-record-high-sales-e0c3105b6632740b8f15858cd930441a">Everytown for Gun Safety</a>.

The lawsuit alleged that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a law enforcement agency in the Justice Department, awarded the license to JA Industries, renamed from Jimenez Arms, after it violated federal firearms law. The suit also alleged that the company’s guns were contributing to rising&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-violence-chicago-united-states-homicide-53931ce4993937b570dd61dbbaa146ce">violent crime rates</a>&nbsp;in Chicago and Kansas City.

Kansas City and Everytown had sued Jimenez Arms and several gun dealers previously, alleging they contributed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/698de924acda60d9f4f6522cf6eaaae4">surging gun violence</a>&nbsp;in the Kansas City region by ignoring evidence that guns were being sold illegally in the area. Jimenez Arms filed for bankruptcy about a month after the suit was filed.

That suit contended that Jimenez Arms every year made tens of thousands of cheap handguns that turned up at crime scenes in Kansas City and Chicago “at a rate disproportionate to the company’s market share.”

The plaintiffs alleged in their suit against the ATF that the company’s owner, Paul Jimenez, applied for a new license under the name JA Industries and that it took the ATF less than a month to award the license. The suit alleged that company officials had made false statements to the ATF and had unlawfully shipped guns to a firearms trafficker, which should’ve made the company and its officials ineligible for holding a federal firearms license.

A message seeking comment from JA Industries on Thursday was not immediately returned.

Everytown for Gun Safety heralded the decision to revoke the company’s license.

“We can only hope this decision marks the beginning of a new era at ATF, one that is consistent with President Biden’s commitment to holding rogue and reckless members of the gun industry accountable for breaking the law and putting lives in danger,” said John Feinblatt, Everytown’s president.

In a statement, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said it was a “bold action to stop the flow of illegal firearms into Kansas City.”

An ATF spokesperson, Erik Longnecker, declined to comment specifically, citing the ongoing case. But he said the agency “revokes Federal firearms licensees who are found to have committed willful violations of the Gun Control Act and have an adverse impact on public safety.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1648815826151.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal officials have revoked the license of a Nevada-based gun manufacturer that was accused of illegally selling guns and went bankrupt but then rebranded itself.The revocation comes after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-lawsuits-illinois-gun-politics-crime-81aa4e6a13da2ff07d069ed48e5b0a1b">a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;that alleged the Justice Department didn’t conduct proper oversight before issuing the license.The decision to revoke the license of JA Industries was spelled out in a court filing late Wednesday as part of the lawsuit brought by Kansas City, Missouri; Illinois and gun control advocacy group&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gun-background-checks-blocked-record-high-sales-e0c3105b6632740b8f15858cd930441a">Everytown for Gun Safety</a>.The lawsuit alleged that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a law enforcement agency in the Justice Department, awarded the license to JA Industries, renamed from Jimenez Arms, after it violated federal firearms law. The suit also alleged that the company’s guns were contributing to rising&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-violence-chicago-united-states-homicide-53931ce4993937b570dd61dbbaa146ce">violent crime rates</a>&nbsp;in Chicago and Kansas City.Kansas City and Everytown had sued Jimenez Arms and several gun dealers previously, alleging they contributed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/698de924acda60d9f4f6522cf6eaaae4">surging gun violence</a>&nbsp;in the Kansas City region by ignoring evidence that guns were being sold illegally in the area. Jimenez Arms filed for bankruptcy about a month after the suit was filed.That suit contended that Jimenez Arms every year made tens of thousands of cheap handguns that turned up at crime scenes in Kansas City and Chicago “at a rate disproportionate to the company’s market share.”The plaintiffs alleged in their suit against the ATF that the company’s owner, Paul Jimenez, applied for a new license under the name JA Industries and that it took the ATF less than a month to award the license. The suit alleged that company officials had made false statements to the ATF and had unlawfully shipped guns to a firearms trafficker, which should’ve made the company and its officials ineligible for holding a federal firearms license.A message seeking comment from JA Industries on Thursday was not immediately returned.Everytown for Gun Safety heralded the decision to revoke the company’s license.“We can only hope this decision marks the beginning of a new era at ATF, one that is consistent with President Biden’s commitment to holding rogue and reckless members of the gun industry accountable for breaking the law and putting lives in danger,” said John Feinblatt, Everytown’s president.In a statement, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said it was a “bold action to stop the flow of illegal firearms into Kansas City.”An ATF spokesperson, Erik Longnecker, declined to comment specifically, citing the ongoing case. But he said the agency “revokes Federal firearms licensees who are found to have committed willful violations of the Gun Control Act and have an adverse impact on public safety.”

Gun manufacturer’s license revoked after lawsuit by Kansas City

By DAVID CONDOS <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2022-03-31/how-kansas-could-lose-billions-in-land-values-as-its-underground-water-runs-dry">Kansas News Service</a>

HAYS, Kansas — In increasingly dry western Kansas, underground
 water makes everything possible. Irrigation for crops. Stock water for 
cattle. Drinking water for towns.

In all, the Ogallala Aquifer provides <a href="https://www.kgs.ku.edu/Publications/pic18/" target="_blank">70-80%</a> of water used by Kansans each day.

A recent study from Kansas State University says the aquifer under western Kansas increases land values by nearly <a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/2022/03/agriculture-value-of-water-in-western-kansas.html" target="_blank">$4 billion</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648759186330.png" alt="Center pivot irrigation systems like this one in Finney County pump water up from the Ogallala aquifer to spray on crops. This part of southwest Kansas experienced some of the state's worst aquifer declines last year as drought pushed farmers to pump more water from underground. David Condos / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Center pivot irrigation systems like this one in Finney County pump water up from the Ogallala aquifer to spray on crops. This part of southwest Kansas experienced some of the state's worst aquifer declines last year as drought pushed farmers to pump more water from underground. David Condos / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVID CONDOS <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2022-03-31/how-kansas-could-lose-billions-in-land-values-as-its-underground-water-runs-dry">Kansas News Service</a>HAYS, Kansas — In increasingly dry western Kansas, underground
 water makes everything possible. Irrigation for crops. Stock water for 
cattle. Drinking water for towns.In all, the Ogallala Aquifer provides <a href="https://www.kgs.ku.edu/Publications/pic18/" target="_blank">70-80%</a> of water used by Kansans each day.So how much is all that water worth?A recent study from Kansas State University says the aquifer under western Kansas increases land values by nearly <a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/news/stories/2022/03/agriculture-value-of-water-in-western-kansas.html" target="_blank">$4 billion</a>.But those billions are drying up at an accelerating rate.Aquifer
 water levels across western and central Kansas dropped by more than a 
foot on average this past year. That’s the biggest single-year decrease 
since 2015, according to the Kansas Geological Survey’s <a href="https://news.ku.edu/2022/03/23/groundwater-levels-fall-across-western-and-central-kansas" target="_blank">annual report</a>.And while the aquifer is losing that foot of water, it’s barely being refilled. In most of western Kansas, <a href="https://www.kgs.ku.edu/HighPlains/HPA_Atlas/Aquifer%20Basics/index.html#Mean_Annual_Potential_Recharge-Natural_Conditions.jpg" target="_blank">less than one inch</a> of water seeps underground to recharge the aquifer each year.The
 declines were especially dire in southwest Kansas, where average water 
levels fell by 2.17 feet last year. That’s the region’s biggest drop 
since 2013, up from a 1.25-foot decline in 2020 and a 0.8-foot decline 
in 2019.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648759271731.png" alt="This map shows aquifer water level declines across western and central Kansas based on preliminary results from the annual Kansas Geological Survey assessment taken in early 2022.&nbsp;Kansas Geological Survey" />
 <figcaption>This map shows aquifer water level declines across western and central Kansas based on preliminary results from the annual Kansas Geological Survey assessment taken in early 2022.&nbsp;Kansas Geological Survey</figcaption>
 </figure>But those accelerating depletion rates didn’t come as a surprise to 
Brownie Wilson, the survey’s water data manager. Western Kansas is a 
water-challenged place that gets about <a href="https://climate.k-state.edu/basics/" target="_blank">half as much precipitation</a> as eastern Kansas in an average year.Then the drought hit.“For some of those folks, it hasn’t rained since May,” Wilson said. “That makes it really challenging.”Even
 the snowfall from recent blizzards couldn’t make up the precipitation 
deficit. Most of western and central Kansas remains in <a href="https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Maps/MapArchive.aspx" target="_blank">severe, extreme or exceptional</a> drought.That
 puts the people trying to raise a crop there in a tough spot. So 
farmers turn to pumping more water from below to irrigate their fields 
and make up for how dry it is on the surface.Wilson said 80-90% of the water used in the Ogallala aquifer region goes to irrigation. That averages out to about <a href="https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ks/nwis/water_use?format=html_table&amp;rdb_compression=file&amp;wu_area=State+Total&amp;wu_year=2015&amp;wu_category=IT&amp;wu_category_nms=Irrigation%252C%2BTotal" target="_blank">2.5 billion gallons</a> a day, pumped up and sprayed on crops.It can’t go on like that forever.Estimates show that if pumping trends continue, <a href="https://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/aug13/groundwater82613.html" target="_blank">more than two-thirds</a> of the water under Kansas will be gone within 40 years. In some parts of western Kansas, the aquifer has already <a href="https://www.kgs.ku.edu/Publications/pic18/" target="_blank">depleted so much</a> that it’s basically unusable for irrigation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648759327682.png" alt="This map shows the drought conditions covering Kansas as of March 31. National Drought Mitigation Center" />
 <figcaption>This map shows the drought conditions covering Kansas as of March 31. National Drought Mitigation Center</figcaption>
 </figure>The trade-offSo what does all that disappearing water mean in dollars and cents?K-State
 agricultural economics professor Nathan Hendricks studied data from 
actual property sale and rental prices — comparing the prices of 
irrigated and nonirrigated land — to calculate the aquifer’s worth to 
western Kansas at $3.8 billion.And if the decline of the aquifer 
isn’t drastically slowed, Hendricks said, western Kansas land will 
collectively lose $34 million in value each year by 2050.That means property values will drop as acres that once had irrigation lose access to water.Hendricks
 said the study isn’t intended to tell landowners what to do. But he 
hopes it can help them make decisions about their water use for the long
 term.“For them to be able to say, ‘OK, what would be the costs 
of reducing water use today? And what would be the cost of not reducing 
water use in the future?’” Hendricks said. “There’s a trade-off there.”For both individual farmers and the region as a whole, it’s a complicated question.He
 said sometimes it’s easy to forget that shutting down irrigation from 
the aquifer would gut land values just like depletion would.“We 
can stop irrigating and stop depleting the aquifer, but then you've lost
 all the value of the aquifer also,” Hendricks said. “The whole value of
 the aquifer is in using it.”Hendricks said he’s already seeing 
some farmers voluntarily reduce the number of acres they’re irrigating 
in an effort to prolong their section of the aquifer’s life and expects 
that trend to continue.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648759364988.png" alt="An old water well stands next to a center pivot irrigation system in a Morton County field. This southwest corner of Kansas has been experiencing extreme drought since last fall. David Condos / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>An old water well stands next to a center pivot irrigation system in a Morton County field. This southwest corner of Kansas has been experiencing extreme drought since last fall. David Condos / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>‘Devil’s in the details’Wilson with the groundwater survey said he’s seeing farmers’ mindsets start to slowly shift too.He points to successful voluntary water conservation efforts led by farmers, such as the state’s first <a href="https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2021-05-05/farmers-trying-to-save-the-ogallala-aquifer-face-tension-from-peers-but-their-profits-are-improving" target="_blank">Local Enhanced Management Area, or LEMA, in northwest Kansas</a> and a similar program <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/26054416-2887-4e75-bfab-77526fc38982" target="_blank">recently approved</a> in west-central Kansas.“In
 the next 10, 20, 30 years of our lifetime, the biggest impact we can 
have is to use less water out of that aquifer,” Wilson said. “People are
 realizing they can still be economically viable and use less water.”But understanding the problem, he said, isn’t the hard part.“The
 solution to the aquifer is simple: you put more water into it or you 
quit taking so much out,” Wilson said. “But the solutions to get there, 
that's the challenging part. That's where the devil’s in the details.”And thus far, finding consensus on broader statewide solutions has been difficult.Recent <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2686_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">legislation</a>
 proposed in the Kansas House would have created a new cabinet-level 
department overseeing the state’s water issues and forced aquifer 
management districts in western and central Kansas to place stricter 
limits on water usage to curb the depletion rate.But those sections of the bill were removed during committee discussions, leaving some legislators <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/03/01/shooting-themselves-in-the-foot-committee-guts-kansas-bill-to-protect-water/" target="_blank">frustrated</a> with how the agriculture industry’s influence continues to thwart water conservation measures. It appears <a href="https://kwrconsulting.com/blog/" target="_blank">unlikely</a> that even a slimmed down version of that bill will be passed this year.But figuring out some way to slow the aquifer’s depletion, Wilson said, isn’t just a critical issue for western Kansas.While
 the aquifer drying up might impact western Kansas farmers most 
directly, the prosperity or decline of the multibillion-dollar 
agricultural economy that depends on that water will have ripple effects
 across the state.“The declines in the western side of the state 
aren’t going to suddenly affect water flow in the Kansas River for 
people in Kansas City,” Wilson said. “But the viability of western 
Kansas is going to have an impact on the economy of Kansas, and that’s 
gonna affect everybody.”David Condos covers western Kansas for High Plains Public Radio and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter<a href="http://twitter.com/davidcondos" target="_blank"> </a><a href="http://twitter.com/davidcondos" target="_blank">@davidcondos</a>.