TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans are moving to redraw the boundaries of&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;Senate districts so that a GOP and Democratic senator would face running against each other and the Redistricting Committee's chair would be drawn into a GOP colleague's district.

Republicans and Democrats have rival plans, though the GOP plan is more likely to pass, given Republicans' Senate supermajority. The League of Women Voters also has a plan, and all three were posted online by Friday morning.

The Kansas Constitution requires lawmakers to redraw their districts to make them as equal in population every 10 years. Senators expect to vote on a mpa next week.

The GOP plan would put Redistricting Chair Rick Wilborn, a McPherson Republican, in a district with Sen. Michael Fagg, an El Dorado Republican.

While that suggests that Wilborn might not seek reelection in 2024, he said Friday that he and Fagg will “work all that out later.” Wilborn said he's “right in the middle” of other senators with underpopulated districts.

The Republican plan also would put GOP Sen. Beverly Gossage, of Eudora, in a district with Democratic Sen. Tom Holland, of Baldwin City, setting up a potential 2024 race.

The Democratic plan has only one district with a pair of incumbents, Wilborn and Fagg. The League of Women Voters' proposal would have three districts with a pair of GOP incumbents.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647114807014.png" alt="Kansas Senate Districts-image courtesy Kansas Association of Counties" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Senate Districts-image courtesy Kansas Association of Counties</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans are moving to redraw the boundaries of&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;Senate districts so that a GOP and Democratic senator would face running against each other and the Redistricting Committee's chair would be drawn into a GOP colleague's district.Republicans and Democrats have rival plans, though the GOP plan is more likely to pass, given Republicans' Senate supermajority. The League of Women Voters also has a plan, and all three were posted online by Friday morning.The Kansas Constitution requires lawmakers to redraw their districts to make them as equal in population every 10 years. Senators expect to vote on a mpa next week.The GOP plan would put Redistricting Chair Rick Wilborn, a McPherson Republican, in a district with Sen. Michael Fagg, an El Dorado Republican.While that suggests that Wilborn might not seek reelection in 2024, he said Friday that he and Fagg will “work all that out later.” Wilborn said he's “right in the middle” of other senators with underpopulated districts.The Republican plan also would put GOP Sen. Beverly Gossage, of Eudora, in a district with Democratic Sen. Tom Holland, of Baldwin City, setting up a potential 2024 race.The Democratic plan has only one district with a pair of incumbents, Wilborn and Fagg. The League of Women Voters' proposal would have three districts with a pair of GOP incumbents.

GOP Kansas Senate map creates 2 districts with 2 incumbents

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Trial begins Monday for a man accused in a 2019 shooting in Kansas that killed a college football player and wounded a teammate of the victim, a man who now plays in the NFL.

<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/2022/03/12/trial-begin-topeka-2019-killing-washburn-player-dwane-simmons-wounding-nfl-player-corey-ballentine/9402245002/" target="_blank">The Topeka Capital-Journal</a>&nbsp;reports that Francisco Mendez is the only person arrested and charged in the case even though a prosecutor said at least three guns were used to fire 18 or more shots in the April 28, 2019, shooting.

Washburn University football player Dwane Simmons, 23, was killed in the shooting in Topeka. Corey Ballentine was shot and survived.

Mendez is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Simmons. He died at the scene from a single gunshot to the head.

Mendez is charged with attempted murder in the shooting of Ballentine, 25, who had been drafted hours earlier by the New York Giants.

Ballentine was shot once in the buttocks. He has played as a cornerback and kick returner with the Giants, New York Jets and Detroit Lions, and signed in January with the Atlanta Falcons.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1570915422888.png" alt="Dwane Simmons-photo courtesy Washburn Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Dwane Simmons-photo courtesy Washburn Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Trial begins Monday for a man accused in a 2019 shooting in Kansas that killed a college football player and wounded a teammate of the victim, a man who now plays in the NFL.<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/2022/03/12/trial-begin-topeka-2019-killing-washburn-player-dwane-simmons-wounding-nfl-player-corey-ballentine/9402245002/" target="_blank">The Topeka Capital-Journal</a>&nbsp;reports that Francisco Mendez is the only person arrested and charged in the case even though a prosecutor said at least three guns were used to fire 18 or more shots in the April 28, 2019, shooting.Washburn University football player Dwane Simmons, 23, was killed in the shooting in Topeka. Corey Ballentine was shot and survived.Mendez is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Simmons. He died at the scene from a single gunshot to the head.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1563037412059.png" alt="Francisco Mendez photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Francisco Mendez photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Mendez is charged with attempted murder in the shooting of Ballentine, 25, who had been drafted hours earlier by the New York Giants.Ballentine was shot once in the buttocks. He has played as a cornerback and kick returner with the Giants, New York Jets and Detroit Lions, and signed in January with the Atlanta Falcons.

Trial set to begin in shooting that killed Washburn football player

WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. official said Russia asked China for military equipment to use in its invasion of Ukraine, a request that heightened tensions about the ongoing war ahead of a Monday meeting in Rome between top aides for the U.S. and Chinese governments.

In advance of the talks, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan bluntly warned China to avoid helping Russia evade punishment from global sanctions that have hammered the Russian economy. “We will not allow that to go forward,” he said. China in turn accused on Monday the U.S. of spreading “disinformation.”

The prospect of China offering Russia financial help is one of several concerns for President Joe Biden. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, said that in recent days, Russia had requested support from China, including military equipment, to press forward in its ongoing war with Ukraine. The official did not provide details on the scope of the request. The request was first reported by the Financial Times and The Washington Post.

The Biden administration is also accusing China of spreading Russian disinformation that could be a pretext for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces to attack Ukraine with chemical or biological weapons.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has put China in a delicate spot with two of its biggest trading partners: the U.S. and European Union. China needs access to those markets, yet it also has shown support for Moscow, joining with Russia in declaring a friendship with “no limits.”

In his talks with senior Chinese foreign policy adviser Yang Jiechi, Sullivan will indeed be looking for limits in what Beijing will do for Moscow.

“I’m not going to sit here publicly and brandish threats,” he told CNN in a round of Sunday news show interviews. “But what I will tell you is we are communicating directly and privately to Beijing that there absolutely will be consequences” if China helps Russia “backfill” its losses from the sanctions.

“We will not allow that to go forward and allow there to be a lifeline to Russia from these economic sanctions from any country anywhere in the world,” he said.

Without giving details, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Monday that the “Ukraine situation will definitely be a hot topic” at the meeting, which had been scheduled before Russia invaded its neighbor.

Asked at a daily briefing about the reported Russian request for assistance, Zhao responded: “The U.S. has been spreading disinformation targeting China recently over the Ukraine issue. It is malicious.”

“What is pressing now is that all parties should exercise restraint and strive to cool down the situation, rather than fueling the tension,” Zhao told reporters. “We should promote diplomatic settlements instead of further escalating the situation.”

In a statement posted on the ministry’s website late Sunday, Zhao did not mention Ukraine, but said the sides would “exchange views on China-U.S. relations and international and regional issues of common concern.”

The White House said the talks will focus on the direct impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine on regional and global security.

Biden administration officials say Beijing is spreading false Russian claims that Ukraine was running chemical and biological weapons labs with U.S. support. They say China&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-jen-psaki-chemical-weapons-weapons-of-mass-destruction-f01cedf434ec697034b2912696a3448b">is effectively providing cover</a>&nbsp;if Russia moves ahead with a biological or chemical weapons attack on Ukrainians.

When Russia starts accusing other countries of preparing to launch biological or chemical attacks, Sullivan told NBC’s “Meet the Press,” “it’s a good tell that they may be on the cusp of doing it themselves.”

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, on ABC’s “This Week,” said “we haven’t seen anything that indicates some sort of imminent chemical or biological attack right now, but we’re watching this very, very closely.”

The striking U.S. accusations about Russian disinformation and Chinese complicity came after Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova alleged with no evidence that the U.S. was financing Ukrainian chemical and biological weapons labs.

The Russian claim was echoed by Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao, who claimed there were 26 bio-labs and related facilities in “which the U.S. Department of Defense has absolute control.” The United Nations has said it has received no information backing up such accusations.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki called the claims “preposterous.”

There is growing concern inside the White House that China is aligning itself with Russia on the Ukraine war in hopes it will advance Beijing’s “vision of the world order” in the long term, according to a person familiar with administration thinking. The person was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Sullivan told “Face the Nation” on CBS that the Russian rhetoric on chemical and biological warfare is “an indicator that, in fact, the Russians are getting ready to do it and try and pin the blame elsewhere and nobody should fall for that.”

The international community has assessed that Russia used chemical weapons in attempts to assassinate Putin detractors such as Alexei Navalny and former spy Sergei Skripal. Russia also supports the Assad government in Syria, which has used chemical weapons against its people in a decade-long civil war.

China has been one of few countries to avoid criticizing the Russians for its invasion of Ukraine. China’s leader Xi Jinping hosted Putin for the opening of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, just three weeks before Russia invaded on Feb. 24.

During Putin’s visit, the two leaders issued a 5,000-word statement declaring limitless “friendship”.

The Chinese abstained on U.N. votes censuring Russia and has criticized economic sanctions against Moscow. It has expressed its support for peace talks and offered its services as a mediator, despite questions about its neutrality and scant experience mediating international conflict.

But questions remain over how far Beijing will go to alienate the West and put its own economy at risk. Sullivan said China and all countries are on notice that they cannot “basically bail Russia out ... give Russia a workaround to the sanctions,” with impunity.

Chinese officials have said Washington shouldn’t be able to complain about Russia’s actions because the U.S. invaded Iraq under false pretenses. The U.S. claimed to have evidence Saddam Hussein was stockpiling weapons of mass destruction though none was ever found.

On CNN, Sullivan said the administration believes China knew that Putin “was planning something” before the invasion of Ukraine. But he said the Chinese government “may not have understood the full extent of it because it’s very possible that Putin lied to them the same way that he lied to Europeans and others.”

Sullivan and Yang last met for face-to-face talks in Switzerland, where Sullivan raised the Biden administration’s concerns about China’s military provocations against Taiwan, human rights abuses against ethnic minorities and efforts to squelch pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong.

That meeting set the stage for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-xi-meeting-e6013378e03727b85a8f59f71fe61f4a">three-hour long virtual meeting</a>&nbsp;in November between Biden and Xi.

Sullivan is also to meet Luigi Mattiolo, diplomatic adviser to Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, while in Rome.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645218431708.png" alt="The prospect of China offering Russia financial help is one of several concerns for President Joe Biden.-photo courtesy White House&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The prospect of China offering Russia financial help is one of several concerns for President Joe Biden.-photo courtesy White House&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. official said Russia asked China for military equipment to use in its invasion of Ukraine, a request that heightened tensions about the ongoing war ahead of a Monday meeting in Rome between top aides for the U.S. and Chinese governments.In advance of the talks, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan bluntly warned China to avoid helping Russia evade punishment from global sanctions that have hammered the Russian economy. “We will not allow that to go forward,” he said. China in turn accused on Monday the U.S. of spreading “disinformation.”The prospect of China offering Russia financial help is one of several concerns for President Joe Biden. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, said that in recent days, Russia had requested support from China, including military equipment, to press forward in its ongoing war with Ukraine. The official did not provide details on the scope of the request. The request was first reported by the Financial Times and The Washington Post.The Biden administration is also accusing China of spreading Russian disinformation that could be a pretext for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces to attack Ukraine with chemical or biological weapons.Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has put China in a delicate spot with two of its biggest trading partners: the U.S. and European Union. China needs access to those markets, yet it also has shown support for Moscow, joining with Russia in declaring a friendship with “no limits.”In his talks with senior Chinese foreign policy adviser Yang Jiechi, Sullivan will indeed be looking for limits in what Beijing will do for Moscow.“I’m not going to sit here publicly and brandish threats,” he told CNN in a round of Sunday news show interviews. “But what I will tell you is we are communicating directly and privately to Beijing that there absolutely will be consequences” if China helps Russia “backfill” its losses from the sanctions.“We will not allow that to go forward and allow there to be a lifeline to Russia from these economic sanctions from any country anywhere in the world,” he said.Without giving details, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Monday that the “Ukraine situation will definitely be a hot topic” at the meeting, which had been scheduled before Russia invaded its neighbor.Asked at a daily briefing about the reported Russian request for assistance, Zhao responded: “The U.S. has been spreading disinformation targeting China recently over the Ukraine issue. It is malicious.”“What is pressing now is that all parties should exercise restraint and strive to cool down the situation, rather than fueling the tension,” Zhao told reporters. “We should promote diplomatic settlements instead of further escalating the situation.”In a statement posted on the ministry’s website late Sunday, Zhao did not mention Ukraine, but said the sides would “exchange views on China-U.S. relations and international and regional issues of common concern.”The White House said the talks will focus on the direct impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine on regional and global security.Biden administration officials say Beijing is spreading false Russian claims that Ukraine was running chemical and biological weapons labs with U.S. support. They say China&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-jen-psaki-chemical-weapons-weapons-of-mass-destruction-f01cedf434ec697034b2912696a3448b">is effectively providing cover</a>&nbsp;if Russia moves ahead with a biological or chemical weapons attack on Ukrainians.When Russia starts accusing other countries of preparing to launch biological or chemical attacks, Sullivan told NBC’s “Meet the Press,” “it’s a good tell that they may be on the cusp of doing it themselves.”Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, on ABC’s “This Week,” said “we haven’t seen anything that indicates some sort of imminent chemical or biological attack right now, but we’re watching this very, very closely.”The striking U.S. accusations about Russian disinformation and Chinese complicity came after Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova alleged with no evidence that the U.S. was financing Ukrainian chemical and biological weapons labs.The Russian claim was echoed by Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao, who claimed there were 26 bio-labs and related facilities in “which the U.S. Department of Defense has absolute control.” The United Nations has said it has received no information backing up such accusations.White House press secretary Jen Psaki called the claims “preposterous.”There is growing concern inside the White House that China is aligning itself with Russia on the Ukraine war in hopes it will advance Beijing’s “vision of the world order” in the long term, according to a person familiar with administration thinking. The person was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.Sullivan told “Face the Nation” on CBS that the Russian rhetoric on chemical and biological warfare is “an indicator that, in fact, the Russians are getting ready to do it and try and pin the blame elsewhere and nobody should fall for that.”The international community has assessed that Russia used chemical weapons in attempts to assassinate Putin detractors such as Alexei Navalny and former spy Sergei Skripal. Russia also supports the Assad government in Syria, which has used chemical weapons against its people in a decade-long civil war.China has been one of few countries to avoid criticizing the Russians for its invasion of Ukraine. China’s leader Xi Jinping hosted Putin for the opening of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, just three weeks before Russia invaded on Feb. 24.During Putin’s visit, the two leaders issued a 5,000-word statement declaring limitless “friendship”.The Chinese abstained on U.N. votes censuring Russia and has criticized economic sanctions against Moscow. It has expressed its support for peace talks and offered its services as a mediator, despite questions about its neutrality and scant experience mediating international conflict.But questions remain over how far Beijing will go to alienate the West and put its own economy at risk. Sullivan said China and all countries are on notice that they cannot “basically bail Russia out ... give Russia a workaround to the sanctions,” with impunity.Chinese officials have said Washington shouldn’t be able to complain about Russia’s actions because the U.S. invaded Iraq under false pretenses. The U.S. claimed to have evidence Saddam Hussein was stockpiling weapons of mass destruction though none was ever found.On CNN, Sullivan said the administration believes China knew that Putin “was planning something” before the invasion of Ukraine. But he said the Chinese government “may not have understood the full extent of it because it’s very possible that Putin lied to them the same way that he lied to Europeans and others.”Sullivan and Yang last met for face-to-face talks in Switzerland, where Sullivan raised the Biden administration’s concerns about China’s military provocations against Taiwan, human rights abuses against ethnic minorities and efforts to squelch pro-democracy advocates in Hong Kong.That meeting set the stage for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-xi-meeting-e6013378e03727b85a8f59f71fe61f4a">three-hour long virtual meeting</a>&nbsp;in November between Biden and Xi.Sullivan is also to meet Luigi Mattiolo, diplomatic adviser to Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, while in Rome.___

White House warns China to avoid helping Russia in Ukraine

COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on&nbsp;drug and firearm charges after a SWAT team searched his home.

On March 9, police with the assistance of the Southern Kansas SWAT team, executed a search warrant at a residence located at 415 N. Sixth St. in west-central Arkansas City, according to a media release.

The residence had been identified as being used to harbor&nbsp;Cody Christopher Ranger, 29, a wanted suspect who was reported to be armed with a firearm. SWAT located Ranger hiding in the house’s attic.

Officers arrested Ranger on a warrant for probation violation from Cowley County District Court in Arkansas City and requested charges including of one felony count each of criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, no drug tax stamp, possession with intent to distribute heroin within 1,000 feet of a school, possession with intent to distribute marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, and possession with intent to distribute narcotics within 1,000 feet of a school, as well as one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ranger was transported to and booked into the Cowley County Jail in Winfield. He is being held without bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647025378747.png" alt="Ranger-photo Cowley County" />
 <figcaption>Ranger-photo Cowley County</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on&nbsp;drug and firearm charges after a SWAT team searched his home.On March 9, police with the assistance of the Southern Kansas SWAT team, executed a search warrant at a residence located at 415 N. Sixth St. in west-central Arkansas City, according to a media release.The residence had been identified as being used to harbor&nbsp;Cody Christopher Ranger, 29, a wanted suspect who was reported to be armed with a firearm. SWAT located Ranger hiding in the house’s attic.Officers arrested Ranger on a warrant for probation violation from Cowley County District Court in Arkansas City and requested charges including of one felony count each of criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, no drug tax stamp, possession with intent to distribute heroin within 1,000 feet of a school, possession with intent to distribute marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, and possession with intent to distribute narcotics within 1,000 feet of a school, as well as one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.Ranger was transported to and booked into the Cowley County Jail in Winfield. He is being held without bond.

SWAT Team finds wanted man hiding in attic of Kansas home

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A 67-year-old rural Linwood man has pleaded to a lesser charge in the shooting death of his girlfriend in 2018. Dan Flannagan pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter on Friday. He was originally charged with second-degree murder and was scheduled to go to trial March 21. 

Prosecutors say Flannagan shot Constance Perryman and then reported her missing on April 5, 2018. Her body was found the next day on property south of Linwood. Flannagan is scheduled to be sentenced April 8.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647035515377.png" alt="Flannagan " />
 <figcaption>Flannagan </figcaption>
 </figure>LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A 67-year-old rural Linwood man has pleaded to a lesser charge in the shooting death of his girlfriend in 2018. Dan Flannagan pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter on Friday. He was originally charged with second-degree murder and was scheduled to go to trial March 21. Prosecutors say Flannagan shot Constance Perryman and then reported her missing on April 5, 2018. Her body was found the next day on property south of Linwood. Flannagan is scheduled to be sentenced April 8.

Kansas man enters plea in shooting death of his girlfriend

EUREKA, Kan. (AP) — One person has died after fire destroyed a home in the small southeastern Kansas town of Eureka. KSNW-TV reports that the fire was reported around 3:15 a.m. Saturday. 

The fire department says crews arrived to find the home fully engulfed in flames, spreading to a second structure. 

Details about the victim, including which building that person was in, have not been released. An investigation into the cause of the fire continues.

EUREKA, Kan. (AP) — One person has died after fire destroyed a home in the small southeastern Kansas town of Eureka. KSNW-TV reports that the fire was reported around 3:15 a.m. Saturday. The fire department says crews arrived to find the home fully engulfed in flames, spreading to a second structure. Details about the victim, including which building that person was in, have not been released. An investigation into the cause of the fire continues.

One person dead after fire destroys Kansas home 

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-03-10/new-rule-lets-low-income-people-in-kansas-missouri-keep-shopping-for-health-insurance">Kansas News Service</a>

For the first time, low-income people in Kansas and Missouri can buy 
health insurance on the federal exchange throughout the year.

The 
new year-round enrollment period applies to those who earn 150% or less 
of the federal poverty line — meaning up to $39,750 for a family of 
four.

A pandemic stimulus law passed by Congress last year also offers more financial help to many people who buy coverage on <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/" target="_blank">Healthcare.gov</a>.

In Kansas, here’s what that translates to: People who earn between 100% and 150% of the <a href="https://www.healthreformbeyondthebasics.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REFERENCE-GUIDE_Yearly-Guideline-and-Thresholds_CoverageYear2022-1.pdf" target="_blank">federally defined poverty level</a> can get enough subsidies to fully cover the premiums of certain insurance plans.

Low-income Missourians may qualify for subsidies, too, but many could qualify for Medicaid under the state’s <a href="https://www.healthinsurance.org/medicaid/missouri/" target="_blank">expanded</a> program.

Normally,
 sign-ups for health insurance through Healthcare.gov happen each fall. 
But during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Biden administration <a href="https://www.kff.org/health-reform/issue-brief/ten-changes-to-watch-in-open-enrollment-2022/" target="_blank">expanded opportunities</a> for people to get covered.

HealthCare.gov will tweak its website this month so that people who earn up to 150% of the poverty level can <a href="https://www.healthinsurance.org/special-enrollment-guide/an-sep-if-your-income-doesnt-exceed-150-of-the-federal-poverty-level/" target="_blank">continue to shop</a> for a 2022 health plan, even though the regular enrollment period is finished.

Kansans who want to check whether they qualify for subsidies and understand their options can get help <a href="http://getcoveredkansas.org" target="_blank">from a trained navigator near them</a>.

Navigators
 don’t charge for that service and don’t accept commissions from 
insurance companies to steer you to specific products. They can help 
explain subsidies, insurance premiums, deductibles, copays and other 
details that are fundamental to picking a health plan.

Juven Nava 
leads a team of bilingual experts at GraceMed Health Clinic who offer 
the service. If people have any uncertainty about their options, he says
 they should feel free to call.

Navigators recommend that people 
review their insurance options every year because their subsidy 
eligibility can change, and so can the plan options in their area.

“It
 could be someone who perhaps either works for a small business that 
isn’t being offered employer health insurance, it could be someone 
that’s working multiple part-time jobs,” Nava said.

The pandemic-related boost to subsidies means many low-income people can get certain <a href="https://www.healthinsurance.org/glossary/obamacare-metal-plans/" target="_blank">silver-level plans</a> without a monthly premium.

This
 year, the federal exchange includes more plans than ever for Kansas – 
123 policies offered by seven different insurers. Options vary by 
county, and include local options like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas 
and national insurers like Cigna.

The <a href="https://www.khi.org/assets/uploads/news/15012/annual_insurance_update_2021_(december_2021)_2.pdf" target="_blank">Kansas Health Institute</a> says that as of 2019, more than a quarter-million people in the state had no health insurance.

Kansas is one of <a href="https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/status-of-state-medicaid-expansion-decisions-interactive-map/" target="_blank">12 states</a> that have not expanded Medicaid to cover more low-income people.

Celia
 Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health for the Kansas News Service. 
You can follow her on Twitter @celia_LJ or email her at celia@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646938605330.png" alt="Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3" />
 <figcaption>Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3</figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-03-10/new-rule-lets-low-income-people-in-kansas-missouri-keep-shopping-for-health-insurance">Kansas News Service</a>For the first time, low-income people in Kansas and Missouri can buy 
health insurance on the federal exchange throughout the year.The 
new year-round enrollment period applies to those who earn 150% or less 
of the federal poverty line — meaning up to $39,750 for a family of 
four.A pandemic stimulus law passed by Congress last year also offers more financial help to many people who buy coverage on <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/" target="_blank">Healthcare.gov</a>.In Kansas, here’s what that translates to: People who earn between 100% and 150% of the <a href="https://www.healthreformbeyondthebasics.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REFERENCE-GUIDE_Yearly-Guideline-and-Thresholds_CoverageYear2022-1.pdf" target="_blank">federally defined poverty level</a> can get enough subsidies to fully cover the premiums of certain insurance plans.Low-income Missourians may qualify for subsidies, too, but many could qualify for Medicaid under the state’s <a href="https://www.healthinsurance.org/medicaid/missouri/" target="_blank">expanded</a> program.Sign-ups will continueNormally,
 sign-ups for health insurance through Healthcare.gov happen each fall. 
But during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Biden administration <a href="https://www.kff.org/health-reform/issue-brief/ten-changes-to-watch-in-open-enrollment-2022/" target="_blank">expanded opportunities</a> for people to get covered.HealthCare.gov will tweak its website this month so that people who earn up to 150% of the poverty level can <a href="https://www.healthinsurance.org/special-enrollment-guide/an-sep-if-your-income-doesnt-exceed-150-of-the-federal-poverty-level/" target="_blank">continue to shop</a> for a 2022 health plan, even though the regular enrollment period is finished.Kansans who want to check whether they qualify for subsidies and understand their options can get help <a href="http://getcoveredkansas.org" target="_blank">from a trained navigator near them</a>.Navigators
 don’t charge for that service and don’t accept commissions from 
insurance companies to steer you to specific products. They can help 
explain subsidies, insurance premiums, deductibles, copays and other 
details that are fundamental to picking a health plan.Juven Nava 
leads a team of bilingual experts at GraceMed Health Clinic who offer 
the service. If people have any uncertainty about their options, he says
 they should feel free to call.Navigators recommend that people 
review their insurance options every year because their subsidy 
eligibility can change, and so can the plan options in their area.“It
 could be someone who perhaps either works for a small business that 
isn’t being offered employer health insurance, it could be someone 
that’s working multiple part-time jobs,” Nava said.The pandemic-related boost to subsidies means many low-income people can get certain <a href="https://www.healthinsurance.org/glossary/obamacare-metal-plans/" target="_blank">silver-level plans</a> without a monthly premium.This
 year, the federal exchange includes more plans than ever for Kansas – 
123 policies offered by seven different insurers. Options vary by 
county, and include local options like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas 
and national insurers like Cigna.The <a href="https://www.khi.org/assets/uploads/news/15012/annual_insurance_update_2021_(december_2021)_2.pdf" target="_blank">Kansas Health Institute</a> says that as of 2019, more than a quarter-million people in the state had no health insurance.Kansas is one of <a href="https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/status-of-state-medicaid-expansion-decisions-interactive-map/" target="_blank">12 states</a> that have not expanded Medicaid to cover more low-income people.Celia
 Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health for the Kansas News Service. 
You can follow her on Twitter @celia_LJ or email her at celia@kcur.org.

Rule lets low-income people in Kan., Mo. shop for health insurance

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The family of a Black man who was shot and killed by a white Kansas City police officer in 2020 is suing the officer and the Board of Police Commissioners for at least $10 million.

The federal lawsuit filed Thursday by Donnie Sanders' family accuses the officer, Blayne Newton, of using excessive force when he shot Sanders on March 12, 2020. It also accuses the board, which oversees the Kansas City Police Department, of not properly training or disciplining officers in the use of deadly force, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article259293804.html#storylink=cpy">reported</a>.

Leslie Foreman, a spokeswoman for the police, said the department does not comment on pending litigation.

Sanders' death is one of the prominent cases in Kansas City involving Black people cited by civil rights activists when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-michael-brown-police-reform-kansas-city-kansas-cbde7742a8a40470fa3a66bcc64e2c85">pushing for changes&nbsp;</a>to the Police Department.

Newton shot Sanders, 47, three times after he followed Sanders’ vehicle into an alley. Sanders parked the vehicle and ran, with Newton chasing him, police have said.

Police dashcam video records Newton yelling commands at Sanders to stop and show his hands but the video does not capture the shooting. Kansas City police were not wearing body cameras at the time but have since begun doing so.

Newton told investigators he believed he saw a gun in Sanders’ hand. No weapon was found; investigators said Sanders had only a cellphone in his jacket pocket.

Two witnesses reported they saw Newton walking backward while yelling commands as Sanders approached with his arm extended.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, citing an investigation by Kansas City police and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, determined last year that the witnesses' statements collaborated Newton's account that he shot Sanders because he was afraid for his life.

Newton&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-kansas-city-shootings-police-kansas-5b9815563f469d477c43ddc5186113db">was not charged</a>&nbsp;and returned to work as a patrol officer.

He underwent another review after witnesses said he put his knee on the back of a Black woman who was on the ground during an arrest — another case that sparked&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arrests-kansas-city-kansas-archive-05e0c8aadf22e1f2739d8f45c6baf148">protests</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647096242213.png" alt="Police on the scene of the March 2020 shooting investigation -photo courtesy KSHB TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the March 2020 shooting investigation -photo courtesy KSHB TV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — The family of a Black man who was shot and killed by a white Kansas City police officer in 2020 is suing the officer and the Board of Police Commissioners for at least $10 million.The federal lawsuit filed Thursday by Donnie Sanders' family accuses the officer, Blayne Newton, of using excessive force when he shot Sanders on March 12, 2020. It also accuses the board, which oversees the Kansas City Police Department, of not properly training or disciplining officers in the use of deadly force, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article259293804.html#storylink=cpy">reported</a>.Leslie Foreman, a spokeswoman for the police, said the department does not comment on pending litigation.Sanders' death is one of the prominent cases in Kansas City involving Black people cited by civil rights activists when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-michael-brown-police-reform-kansas-city-kansas-cbde7742a8a40470fa3a66bcc64e2c85">pushing for changes&nbsp;</a>to the Police Department.Newton shot Sanders, 47, three times after he followed Sanders’ vehicle into an alley. Sanders parked the vehicle and ran, with Newton chasing him, police have said.Police dashcam video records Newton yelling commands at Sanders to stop and show his hands but the video does not capture the shooting. Kansas City police were not wearing body cameras at the time but have since begun doing so.Newton told investigators he believed he saw a gun in Sanders’ hand. No weapon was found; investigators said Sanders had only a cellphone in his jacket pocket.Two witnesses reported they saw Newton walking backward while yelling commands as Sanders approached with his arm extended.Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, citing an investigation by Kansas City police and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, determined last year that the witnesses' statements collaborated Newton's account that he shot Sanders because he was afraid for his life.Newton&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-kansas-city-shootings-police-kansas-5b9815563f469d477c43ddc5186113db">was not charged</a>&nbsp;and returned to work as a patrol officer.He underwent another review after witnesses said he put his knee on the back of a Black woman who was on the ground during an arrest — another case that sparked&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arrests-kansas-city-kansas-archive-05e0c8aadf22e1f2739d8f45c6baf148">protests</a>.

Family of Black man shot by Kansas City police sues for $10M

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — There are those who argue that between funding for KPERS and the incentives promised to a mystery company in the APEX bill in the Kansas Legislature, that tax relief, even reducing the food sales tax, may not be affordable. Democrat Rep. Jason Probst disagrees.

"In my view, it can still absolutely happen," Probst said. "We have a good, healthy budget. We'll see, in April, additional revenue numbers come in, I think all indications are that those will be strong. We're sitting at close to $3 billion in excess revenue. The APEX issue hasn't been decided. From what I can gather, they are down there courting Oklahoma, trying to get a sweeter deal out of them."

It's not as if legislators can't make the decision on how to reprioritize if they want to, that's their function.

"If they have the will to do something, they can find a way," Probst said. "We've cut taxes before on the upper income brackets and corporations. We've done that without too much concern for the future of the budget. I think we can do that on the other end of the spectrum and provide some relief for food sales tax."

Everyone eats, which makes taxing food or not one of the biggest ways to have an effect on all pocketbooks.

"Food sales tax is something that hits every single person in the state," Probst said. "It's very broad based. I think it's been something we've talked about for a long time, but we haven't done it. I think, when we have this sort of flexibility in our budget, we owe it to people to do it. I think there's a conversation about where to do that, but we've tried the income tax thing on the upper brackets before. That didn't yield the results that we thought it would."

The concern, as always, is politics. Republicans may not want to give Gov. Laura Kelly the issue to potentially run on in the fall, even though Republican Derek Schmidt, here expected challenger, also supports the idea.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579201323708.jpeg" alt="Photo by Nomin Ujiyediin / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Nomin Ujiyediin / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — There are those who argue that between funding for KPERS and the incentives promised to a mystery company in the APEX bill in the Kansas Legislature, that tax relief, even reducing the food sales tax, may not be affordable. Democrat Rep. Jason Probst disagrees."In my view, it can still absolutely happen," Probst said. "We have a good, healthy budget. We'll see, in April, additional revenue numbers come in, I think all indications are that those will be strong. We're sitting at close to $3 billion in excess revenue. The APEX issue hasn't been decided. From what I can gather, they are down there courting Oklahoma, trying to get a sweeter deal out of them."It's not as if legislators can't make the decision on how to reprioritize if they want to, that's their function."If they have the will to do something, they can find a way," Probst said. "We've cut taxes before on the upper income brackets and corporations. We've done that without too much concern for the future of the budget. I think we can do that on the other end of the spectrum and provide some relief for food sales tax."Everyone eats, which makes taxing food or not one of the biggest ways to have an effect on all pocketbooks."Food sales tax is something that hits every single person in the state," Probst said. "It's very broad based. I think it's been something we've talked about for a long time, but we haven't done it. I think, when we have this sort of flexibility in our budget, we owe it to people to do it. I think there's a conversation about where to do that, but we've tried the income tax thing on the upper brackets before. That didn't yield the results that we thought it would."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636397666116.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The concern, as always, is politics. Republicans may not want to give Gov. Laura Kelly the issue to potentially run on in the fall, even though Republican Derek Schmidt, here expected challenger, also supports the idea.

State Rep. Probst: Kansas can still cut food sales tax

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Relatives have identified the man killed on the job at the site where a new water plant is under construction in Wichita. The Wichita Eagle reports that the victim was 55-year-old Manuel Esparza of Wichita, a superintendent for UCI Industrial Construction Services. 

The company is a subcontractor on the Wichita Water Partners team hired by the city. 

The accident happened Thursday morning at the construction site of the Wichita Northwest Water Facility. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating Esparza’s death.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita Water Partners says a man has died at a construction site of a new water plant. Company spokeswoman Meghan Jansen said the man died at the Wichita Northwest Water Facility plant on Thursday.

She did not say what happened, or identify the man. Jansen said the man was working for a subcontractor at the plant. All work on the site was stopped until further notice.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647025038312.png" alt="The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the death.-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the death.-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Relatives have identified the man killed on the job at the site where a new water plant is under construction in Wichita. The Wichita Eagle reports that the victim was 55-year-old Manuel Esparza of Wichita, a superintendent for UCI Industrial Construction Services. The company is a subcontractor on the Wichita Water Partners team hired by the city. The accident happened Thursday morning at the construction site of the Wichita Northwest Water Facility. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating Esparza’s death.---------WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita Water Partners says a man has died at a construction site of a new water plant. Company spokeswoman Meghan Jansen said the man died at the Wichita Northwest Water Facility plant on Thursday.She did not say what happened, or identify the man. Jansen said the man was working for a subcontractor at the plant. All work on the site was stopped until further notice.

Relatives ID worker killed at construction site in Wichita

FORD COUNTY—Three children died in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Saturday in Ford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis driven by David C.&nbsp;Clements, 43, West Des Moines, IA, was westbound on U.S. Highway 54 eight miles west of the Kansas Highway 34 Junction.

The sedan traveled left of center and struck an eastbound 2018 Freightliner semi driven by Ali&nbsp;Hassani, 30, Portland, Oregon.

Three passengers identified as 12-year-old Juno Clements, 10-year-old Arabella Clements and 7-year-old Harper Clements all of&nbsp; Johnson, Iowa, were pronounced dead at the scene.

EMS transported David Clements to Ascension Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita. Hassani was not injured.

 The 10-year-old and 7-year-old were not properly restrained, according to the the KHP.

FORD COUNTY—Three children died in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Saturday in Ford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis driven by David C.&nbsp;Clements, 43, West Des Moines, IA, was westbound on U.S. Highway 54 eight miles west of the Kansas Highway 34 Junction.The sedan traveled left of center and struck an eastbound 2018 Freightliner semi driven by Ali&nbsp;Hassani, 30, Portland, Oregon.Three passengers identified as 12-year-old Juno Clements, 10-year-old Arabella Clements and 7-year-old Harper Clements all of&nbsp; Johnson, Iowa, were pronounced dead at the scene.EMS transported David Clements to Ascension Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita. Hassani was not injured. The 10-year-old and 7-year-old were not properly restrained, according to the the KHP.

3 children dead after car, semi crash in southwest Kansas

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/03/11/at-two-year-mark-of-pandemic-kansas-doctors-remember-first-patient-and-appetite-for-information/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — When the first Kansas patient to be treated for COVID-19 
arrived two years ago at The University of Kansas Health System, doctors
 weren’t sure how to handle the new and scary sickness.

Steve Stites, chief medical officer for KU Health, was working that 
Saturday morning, trying to figure out how to prepare for the inevitable
 arrival of a novel coronavirus that was making news in New York City 
and Seattle.

“So I was like, ‘OK, I’ll go in.’ And we had these spacesuits that we
 wore. They’re really our hazmat suits. And we didn’t know what to do,” 
Stites said.

The woman had returned from a microbiology conference in Boston, 
which turned out to be the first super-spreader event in the United 
States. People who were packed closely around a table had gotten on 
planes and flown across the country.

“I just remember the look in her eyes and how afraid she was because 
we just didn’t know what we didn’t know,” Stites said. “We didn’t have 
any therapy. Those were tough days.”

For the past two years, Stites and Dana Hawkinson, medical director 
for infection prevention and control at KU Health, have provided daily 
video news briefings about the pandemic. On Monday, the two-year 
anniversary of that first patient’s diagnosis, they talked about the 
early days of the pandemic and where things stand now.

Earlier this week, Gov. Laura Kelly ordered the lowering of flags to 
recognize the grim milestone of 8,000 deaths in Kansas attributed to 
COVID-19.

The Kansas Department for Health and Environment has recorded 8,006 
deaths from the virus, including three added between Wednesday and 
Friday. The toll has slowed considerably in recent weeks, with 60 deaths
 recorded so far for all of March. That’s half the number of deaths 
recorded during the same period a year ago, shortly before vaccines 
became widely available. A month ago, the state was recording an average
 of 238 deaths per week.

Nearly all of the deaths recorded during the delta and omicron surges
 of the past six months involve unvaccinated individuals. The Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention report 64.6% of Kansans ages 5 and 
older are now fully vaccinated, including 71.3% of Kansas adults. Those 
figures trail nationwide numbers by about 4 percentage points.

Hawkinson said the past two years have been “a whirlwind.” When the 
first patient arrived, he had just returned from an infectious disease 
conference where doctors had talked about COVID-19 “because it was 
starting to obviously exacerbate and blow up around the world.”

“It escalated quickly,” Hawkinson said. “I do remember it vividly. 
And it really hasn’t slowed down too much. It has gotten better. 
Certainly we are seeing now it has improved.”

The health system began to receive so many questions from news 
reporters, it couldn’t possibly answer them all. Video from their first 
daily briefing shows Stites sanitizing his hands at a desk next to 
Hawkinson, a coffee cup at his side.

“I don’t even know what’s in that coffee mug, cause I don’t drink coffee,” Stites said during this week’s briefing.

They didn’t know at the time how long the briefings would last.

“We had all these brave ideas that things were going to calm down 
after a few days and that things were going to be all good,” Stites 
said. “And in fact, what happened was that there was this insatiable 
appetite out there for some kind of knowledge about it.”

Early on, doctors spent a lot of time focusing on things that turned 
out to not be important, Stites said. They eventually learned that 
surfaces weren’t as important as air.

Stites said he wishes he had done a better job of explaining the importance of wearing a face covering.

“I think we could have ended up not watching nearly as many people 
die,” Stites said. “Even today, I sometimes struggle to explain the 
importance of trying to take care of each other when we have these 
severe outbreaks.”

History suggests the pandemic will last 3-5 years, as was the case 
after the 1918 influenza outbreak. Stites said he is “relatively 
optimistic,” especially with the emergence of good treatment options.

Still, Hawkinson said, it would be naïve to think there won’t be 
another surge. The best protection is to stay up-to-date with 
vaccinations and, in high-risk situations, wear a mask.

“We have to remember that individually, now, it is really up to 
everybody to try and protect themselves, reduce their chance of going to
 the hospital,” Hawkinson said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647036098823.png" alt="The flag is lowered Wednesday in front of the Kansas Judicial Center in Topeka to recognize the 8,000 Kansans who have died from COVID-19. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The flag is lowered Wednesday in front of the Kansas Judicial Center in Topeka to recognize the 8,000 Kansans who have died from COVID-19. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/03/11/at-two-year-mark-of-pandemic-kansas-doctors-remember-first-patient-and-appetite-for-information/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — When the first Kansas patient to be treated for COVID-19 
arrived two years ago at The University of Kansas Health System, doctors
 weren’t sure how to handle the new and scary sickness.Steve Stites, chief medical officer for KU Health, was working that 
Saturday morning, trying to figure out how to prepare for the inevitable
 arrival of a novel coronavirus that was making news in New York City 
and Seattle.“So I was like, ‘OK, I’ll go in.’ And we had these spacesuits that we
 wore. They’re really our hazmat suits. And we didn’t know what to do,” 
Stites said.The woman had returned from a microbiology conference in Boston, 
which turned out to be the first super-spreader event in the United 
States. People who were packed closely around a table had gotten on 
planes and flown across the country.“I just remember the look in her eyes and how afraid she was because 
we just didn’t know what we didn’t know,” Stites said. “We didn’t have 
any therapy. Those were tough days.”For the past two years, Stites and Dana Hawkinson, medical director 
for infection prevention and control at KU Health, have provided daily 
video news briefings about the pandemic. On Monday, the two-year 
anniversary of that first patient’s diagnosis, they talked about the 
early days of the pandemic and where things stand now.Earlier this week, Gov. Laura Kelly ordered the lowering of flags to 
recognize the grim milestone of 8,000 deaths in Kansas attributed to 
COVID-19.The Kansas Department for Health and Environment has recorded 8,006 
deaths from the virus, including three added between Wednesday and 
Friday. The toll has slowed considerably in recent weeks, with 60 deaths
 recorded so far for all of March. That’s half the number of deaths 
recorded during the same period a year ago, shortly before vaccines 
became widely available. A month ago, the state was recording an average
 of 238 deaths per week.Nearly all of the deaths recorded during the delta and omicron surges
 of the past six months involve unvaccinated individuals. The Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention report 64.6% of Kansans ages 5 and 
older are now fully vaccinated, including 71.3% of Kansas adults. Those 
figures trail nationwide numbers by about 4 percentage points.Hawkinson said the past two years have been “a whirlwind.” When the 
first patient arrived, he had just returned from an infectious disease 
conference where doctors had talked about COVID-19 “because it was 
starting to obviously exacerbate and blow up around the world.”“It escalated quickly,” Hawkinson said. “I do remember it vividly. 
And it really hasn’t slowed down too much. It has gotten better. 
Certainly we are seeing now it has improved.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647036162256.png" alt="Steve Stites and Dana Hawkinson prepare for the first video briefing about COVID-19 after the arrival of the first patient two years ago. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from University of Kansas Health System video)" />
 <figcaption>Steve Stites and Dana Hawkinson prepare for the first video briefing about COVID-19 after the arrival of the first patient two years ago. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from University of Kansas Health System video)</figcaption>
 </figure>The health system began to receive so many questions from news 
reporters, it couldn’t possibly answer them all. Video from their first 
daily briefing shows Stites sanitizing his hands at a desk next to 
Hawkinson, a coffee cup at his side.“I don’t even know what’s in that coffee mug, cause I don’t drink coffee,” Stites said during this week’s briefing.They didn’t know at the time how long the briefings would last.“We had all these brave ideas that things were going to calm down 
after a few days and that things were going to be all good,” Stites 
said. “And in fact, what happened was that there was this insatiable 
appetite out there for some kind of knowledge about it.”Early on, doctors spent a lot of time focusing on things that turned 
out to not be important, Stites said. They eventually learned that 
surfaces weren’t as important as air.Stites said he wishes he had done a better job of explaining the importance of wearing a face covering.“I think we could have ended up not watching nearly as many people 
die,” Stites said. “Even today, I sometimes struggle to explain the 
importance of trying to take care of each other when we have these 
severe outbreaks.”History suggests the pandemic will last 3-5 years, as was the case 
after the 1918 influenza outbreak. Stites said he is “relatively 
optimistic,” especially with the emergence of good treatment options.Still, Hawkinson said, it would be naïve to think there won’t be 
another surge. The best protection is to stay up-to-date with 
vaccinations and, in high-risk situations, wear a mask.“We have to remember that individually, now, it is really up to 
everybody to try and protect themselves, reduce their chance of going to
 the hospital,” Hawkinson said.

Two years in, Kansas doctors remember COVID's first patient, arrival

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

On this historic day for downtown Salina, Steve Howard was filled with gratitude.

As Howard's Cozy Inn celebrated its 100th anniversary Saturday, Howard did a little bit of everything. He greeted people. He checked on orders. He delivered bags of burgers to hungry customers waiting outside. A large part of his day, however, was spent thanking people for being customers and for participating in the little downtown burger joint's 100th anniversary celebration.

The festivities kicked off about 8:30 a.m. as Hurts Donut of Wichita made an appearance with its Emergency Donut Vehicle.

"We love Cozy Inn! We love the people, the atmosphere, and especially the food! We make sure we stop every time we are in the area. Over the past few years we have gotten to know Steve and his family. We have shared several laughs by their grill while talking business. We were honored to be apart of their 100th birthday," Jenni Courtney of Hurts Donut told Salina Post.

Courtney, her husband, Aaron, and her son, Judah, made the truck run from Wichita to Cozy Inn. She said they sold 120 dozen donuts, 100 bacon bars, and 75 apple fritters.

Even as the donuts were being sold, the aroma of onions cooking on the Cozy Inn's historic grill wafted through the air as Cozy Inn staff prepared to begin selling burgers at 9 a.m. Burger sales were scheduled to run until 9 p.m. Saturday.

At about 6 p.m., Howard said that Cozy Inn had started the day with 300 pounds of hamburger. At that point, they had 75 pounds left. A Cozy Inn employee noted that thousands of burgers had already been sold.

From the time donut sales began, hundreds of people flocked to the Cozy Inn to be part of the 100th anniversary celebration. Many were locals, but a number had come from out of town to participate in the festivities.

People took selfies in front of the 100th anniversary sign or under one of the Cozy Inn sign. Some even requested photos with Howard.

At noon, the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Eric Brown, chamber president and CEO, told those assembled that 100 years ago "the population of Salina was 25,000. Warren G. Harding was president. The price of gas was 26 cents a gallon. You could get a sedan for $1,400. A loaf of bread was five cents. A Cozy burger was five cents." 

"If you take away a thousand days, give or take, for weekends, the Cozy Inn has been open about 27,500 days," Brown continued. "And if you averaged simply a thousand burgers a day, which they do, easily, that's over 27.5 million Cozy sliders the last 100 years!"

"And keep in mind, that's the same grill from day one, seasoned to perfection," Brown added.

Brown then thanked Cozy Inn and all of its owners, current and past, for what they have done to help put Salina on the map.

Howard said the celebration was "pretty overwhelming."

"Great turnout. The weather's awesome. A little chilly this morning, but it will warm up. I just thank everybody for their patience and being part of this celebration," Howard told Salina Post at lunchtime.

After the ribbon cutting, the celebration continued with prizes, a bouncy house for the kids, and, of course, Cozy burgers. Special 100th anniversary T-shirts also were for sale.

As the sun began to set on Salina Saturday evening, people were still lining up at the carryout window to place or pickup orders or were sitting on one of the six stools inside. Business was still brisk enough at 6 p.m. that there was an approximate 45-minute wait on burger orders. Nonetheless, people waited and continued to place orders.

After all, Salinans do love their Cozy burgers!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647140077746.jpeg" alt="Cozy Inn owner Steve Howard (yellow hat) visits with some of the customers who showed up Saturday evening during the restaurant's 100th anniversary celebration. All photos by Leslie Eikleberry/Salina Post" />
 <figcaption>Cozy Inn owner Steve Howard (yellow hat) visits with some of the customers who showed up Saturday evening during the restaurant's 100th anniversary celebration. All photos by Leslie Eikleberry/Salina Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostOn this historic day for downtown Salina, Steve Howard was filled with gratitude.As Howard's Cozy Inn celebrated its 100th anniversary Saturday, Howard did a little bit of everything. He greeted people. He checked on orders. He delivered bags of burgers to hungry customers waiting outside. A large part of his day, however, was spent thanking people for being customers and for participating in the little downtown burger joint's 100th anniversary celebration.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647140492499.jpeg" alt="People lined up in sub-freezing temperatures to purchase Hurts Donuts during the Cozy Inn 100th anniversary celebration Saturday." />
 <figcaption>People lined up in sub-freezing temperatures to purchase Hurts Donuts during the Cozy Inn 100th anniversary celebration Saturday.</figcaption>
 </figure>The festivities kicked off about 8:30 a.m. as Hurts Donut of Wichita made an appearance with its Emergency Donut Vehicle."We love Cozy Inn! We love the people, the atmosphere, and especially the food! We make sure we stop every time we are in the area. Over the past few years we have gotten to know Steve and his family. We have shared several laughs by their grill while talking business. We were honored to be apart of their 100th birthday," Jenni Courtney of Hurts Donut told Salina Post.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647140877157.jpeg" alt="Hurts Donut business was brisk, as was the temperature Saturday morning." />
 <figcaption>Hurts Donut business was brisk, as was the temperature Saturday morning.</figcaption>
 </figure>Courtney, her husband, Aaron, and her son, Judah, made the truck run from Wichita to Cozy Inn. She said they sold 120 dozen donuts, 100 bacon bars, and 75 apple fritters.Even as the donuts were being sold, the aroma of onions cooking on the Cozy Inn's historic grill wafted through the air as Cozy Inn staff prepared to begin selling burgers at 9 a.m. Burger sales were scheduled to run until 9 p.m. Saturday.At about 6 p.m., Howard said that Cozy Inn had started the day with 300 pounds of hamburger. At that point, they had 75 pounds left. A Cozy Inn employee noted that thousands of burgers had already been sold.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647140743794.jpeg" alt="As lunchtime neared, the crowd gathered for&nbsp; a ribbon-cutting and to purchase bags of burgers. A bounce house also was added to the festivities." />
 <figcaption>As lunchtime neared, the crowd gathered for&nbsp; a ribbon-cutting and to purchase bags of burgers. A bounce house also was added to the festivities.</figcaption>
 </figure>From the time donut sales began, hundreds of people flocked to the Cozy Inn to be part of the 100th anniversary celebration. Many were locals, but a number had come from out of town to participate in the festivities.People took selfies in front of the 100th anniversary sign or under one of the Cozy Inn sign. Some even requested photos with Howard.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647140965158.jpeg" alt="Howard, right, pauses for a photo with a customer Saturday evening." />
 <figcaption>Howard, right, pauses for a photo with a customer Saturday evening.</figcaption>
 </figure>At noon, the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony.Eric Brown, chamber president and CEO, told those assembled that 100 years ago "the population of Salina was 25,000. Warren G. Harding was president. The price of gas was 26 cents a gallon. You could get a sedan for $1,400. A loaf of bread was five cents. A Cozy burger was five cents." <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647141047539.jpeg" alt="Eric Brown, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, addresses the crowd assembled during the noontime ribbon-cutting ceremony." />
 <figcaption>Eric Brown, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, addresses the crowd assembled during the noontime ribbon-cutting ceremony.</figcaption>
 </figure>"If you take away a thousand days, give or take, for weekends, the Cozy Inn has been open about 27,500 days," Brown continued. "And if you averaged simply a thousand burgers a day, which they do, easily, that's over 27.5 million Cozy sliders the last 100 years!""And keep in mind, that's the same grill from day one, seasoned to perfection," Brown added.Brown then thanked Cozy Inn and all of its owners, current and past, for what they have done to help put Salina on the map.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647141193730.jpeg" alt="Howard thanks the crowd during the ribbon-cutting ceremony." />
 <figcaption>Howard thanks the crowd during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.</figcaption>
 </figure>Howard said the celebration was "pretty overwhelming.""Great turnout. The weather's awesome. A little chilly this morning, but it will warm up. I just thank everybody for their patience and being part of this celebration," Howard told Salina Post at lunchtime.After the ribbon cutting, the celebration continued with prizes, a bouncy house for the kids, and, of course, Cozy burgers. Special 100th anniversary T-shirts also were for sale.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647141248190.jpeg" alt="Part of the crowd at Cozy Inn Saturday evening." />
 <figcaption>Part of the crowd at Cozy Inn Saturday evening.</figcaption>
 </figure>As the sun began to set on Salina Saturday evening, people were still lining up at the carryout window to place or pickup orders or were sitting on one of the six stools inside. Business was still brisk enough at 6 p.m. that there was an approximate 45-minute wait on burger orders. Nonetheless, people waited and continued to place orders.After all, Salinans do love their Cozy burgers!

Cozy Inn: A day of gratitude and thousands of burgers

A shrinking number of well-known companies are still doing business in Russia, even as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-business-europe-lifestyle-ca0aabe1c4a8fb3fbc0baec76a9c5666">hundreds</a>&nbsp;have announced plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-lifestyle-restaurants-1cb12b1112a4542dde48c962762be3cc">curtail ties</a>.

Burger King restaurants are open, Eli Lilly is supplying drugs, and PepsiCo is selling milk and baby food, but no more soda.

The pace of businesses exiting Russia accelerated over the past week as the deadly violence and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine worsened, and as Western governments ratcheted up economic sanctions to punish Russia for its two-week-old invasion. Major oil companies BP and Shell walked away from multibillion-dollar investments. McDonald’s and Starbucks stopped serving customers.

The companies that still have a presence in Russia say they have franchise owners or employees to consider; they don’t want to punish Russians by taking away food or medicine; or they provide software or financial services for Western businesses that aren’t easy to replace.

“It’s a business calculation. On the stay side: How much revenue do they earn in Russia? Do they provide an essential service?” said Mary Lovely, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington. “Each day that passes, though, calculations change. Sanctions against Russia are likely to last a long time, along with rising revulsion.”

Some companies in lower-profile industries like agriculture have been able to fly under the radar and avoid the type of social media pressure that had been directed at brands such as McDonald’s, Uniqlo and Starbucks, before they decided to cut ties this week, if only temporarily.

But in this era of hyper-awareness that some customers and even employees have about the positions companies take on social and moral issues, those still doing business with — or in — Russia are putting their reputations on the line.

Take Japanese clothing chain Uniqlo, which drew negative attention after the CEO of its parent company told the Nikkei newspaper&nbsp;<a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Ukraine-war/Uniqlo-to-continue-selling-clothes-in-Russia" target="_blank">in a story published</a>&nbsp;Tuesday that the reason to keep nearly 50 Russian stores open was that: “clothing is a necessity of life.” By Thursday, Uniqlo said it would close the stores.

“There’s potentially a big downside of companies to be on the wrong side of this,” Lovely said.

Many large multinationals didn’t flee Russia at the start of the war. But that changed as the invasion led to increasing violence — and more than 2 million refugees fleeing Ukraine.

There are now more than 300 companies that have curtailed operations in Russia,&nbsp;<a href="https://som.yale.edu/story/2022/over-300-companies-have-withdrawn-russia-some-remain" target="_blank">according to a list</a>&nbsp;maintained by a team at Yale. Apple stopped shipments. Google paused ad sales. Automakers halted production. Hollywood studios ceased releasing films, and Netflix stopped streaming.

Some of these decisions were driven by the need to comply with the sanctions Western governments leveled at Russia; others came because of supply chain issues or the fear of a hit to their reputations. S&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-joe-biden-business-congress-a187eb7dcbb8e8c7224adb518392bab2">anctions</a>&nbsp;have already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-japan-9fbeb1c66c523f4018abb8ebc6580839">taken a toll</a>&nbsp;on Russia’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-moscow-perm-9789398569c54f5ed3062410845dff06">economy&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-middle-east-global-trade-12ba42660a05c0b3ff533aec4e73bbac">global trade</a>.

Some companies that plan to sever ties with Russia say it isn’t so simple.

Citigroup said Wednesday that selling its 11 Russian bank branches will be difficult because the country’s economy has been cut off from the global financial system. Until then, Citi said it is “operating the business on a more limited basis” and is helping its U.S. and other corporate clients suspend their businesses in Russia.

Likewise, Amazon says its biggest cloud-computing customers in Russia are headquartered elsewhere. The company said Tuesday it has stopped accepting new cloud-computing customers in Russia and that it plans to suspend e-commerce shipments to Russia.

Fast-food companies often have franchising agreements that complicate an exit, because they don’t own those locations.

That helps explain why Restaurant Brands International, owner of Burger King, is keeping its 800 restaurants open in Russia. And why Yum Brands, parent company of KFC and Pizza Hut, announced the closure of 70 company-owned KFCs across Russia, but not the nearly 1,000 franchisee-owned KFCs, or its 50 Pizza Hut locations.

This sometimes applies to hotels as well: Marriott says its Russian hotels are owned by third parties, and it’s evaluating their ability to remain open.

“I think a lot of these companies are expecting a backlash if they’re staying,” said Susanne Wengle, a political science professor and Russia expert at Notre Dame.

McDonald’s action in Russia was easier: it owns most of the 850 restaurants in Russia it will temporarily close.

But there are companies that remain in Russia — whether in whole or in part — and say that it’s because they view their products as essential.

Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly is one of them. “We continue to distribute medicines in Russia as patients with cancer, diabetes and auto-immune diseases everywhere count on us to support them,” said spokesperson Tarsis Lopez, noting that EU and U.S. sanctions do not apply to medicine.

PepsiCo said it will stop selling soda, but that it will continue to supply milk, baby formula and baby food in Russia. And Unilever said it will keep selling “everyday essential” Russian-made food and hygiene products to Russians, but that it will stop exporting and advertising these products.

Tech companies have their own balancing act. Providers of internet-based services like Google, Twitter and Facebook have been mostly reluctant to take actions that could deprive Russian citizens access to information other than what they get from state media. (Russia blocked Facebook and Twitter, however, and then TikTok largely suspended its service in the country.)

The response from industrial food producers has been complicated by Russia’s role as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-africa-lifestyle-middle-east-1b41faaa7ac0984d0673023b68d39a70">major exporter&nbsp;</a>of wheat and other commodities.

Bunge, which has assets of $121 million in Russia, said Thursday that its Russian oilseed plant will operate and serve the domestic market, but that it has suspended “any new export business.” Farm equipment maker John Deere said it has stopped machine shipments to Russia; it is monitoring a Russian plant that makes seeding equipment and its dealer network in the country “day-by-day.” Cargill and ADM, other agriculture companies, have not responded to questions.

These companies don’t want the Russian government to seize their assets should they close up shop, said Vincent Smith, an economics professor at Montana State University.

Other companies point to their employees’ livelihoods in rationalizing decisions to stay, or not completely sever ties.

Starbucks initially expressed concern for its 2,000 Russian employees before reversing course Tuesday. The Kuwaiti company that franchises its 130 Russian stores is closing them, but continuing to pay employees.

British American Tobacco on Wednesday said it would keep making and selling cigarettes in Russia, where it has 2,500 employees, citing a “duty of care” for employees.

By TALI ARBEL, Associated. PressA shrinking number of well-known companies are still doing business in Russia, even as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-business-europe-lifestyle-ca0aabe1c4a8fb3fbc0baec76a9c5666">hundreds</a>&nbsp;have announced plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-lifestyle-restaurants-1cb12b1112a4542dde48c962762be3cc">curtail ties</a>.Burger King restaurants are open, Eli Lilly is supplying drugs, and PepsiCo is selling milk and baby food, but no more soda.The pace of businesses exiting Russia accelerated over the past week as the deadly violence and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine worsened, and as Western governments ratcheted up economic sanctions to punish Russia for its two-week-old invasion. Major oil companies BP and Shell walked away from multibillion-dollar investments. McDonald’s and Starbucks stopped serving customers.The companies that still have a presence in Russia say they have franchise owners or employees to consider; they don’t want to punish Russians by taking away food or medicine; or they provide software or financial services for Western businesses that aren’t easy to replace.“It’s a business calculation. On the stay side: How much revenue do they earn in Russia? Do they provide an essential service?” said Mary Lovely, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington. “Each day that passes, though, calculations change. Sanctions against Russia are likely to last a long time, along with rising revulsion.”Some companies in lower-profile industries like agriculture have been able to fly under the radar and avoid the type of social media pressure that had been directed at brands such as McDonald’s, Uniqlo and Starbucks, before they decided to cut ties this week, if only temporarily.But in this era of hyper-awareness that some customers and even employees have about the positions companies take on social and moral issues, those still doing business with — or in — Russia are putting their reputations on the line.Take Japanese clothing chain Uniqlo, which drew negative attention after the CEO of its parent company told the Nikkei newspaper&nbsp;<a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Ukraine-war/Uniqlo-to-continue-selling-clothes-in-Russia" target="_blank">in a story published</a>&nbsp;Tuesday that the reason to keep nearly 50 Russian stores open was that: “clothing is a necessity of life.” By Thursday, Uniqlo said it would close the stores.“There’s potentially a big downside of companies to be on the wrong side of this,” Lovely said.Many large multinationals didn’t flee Russia at the start of the war. But that changed as the invasion led to increasing violence — and more than 2 million refugees fleeing Ukraine.There are now more than 300 companies that have curtailed operations in Russia,&nbsp;<a href="https://som.yale.edu/story/2022/over-300-companies-have-withdrawn-russia-some-remain" target="_blank">according to a list</a>&nbsp;maintained by a team at Yale. Apple stopped shipments. Google paused ad sales. Automakers halted production. Hollywood studios ceased releasing films, and Netflix stopped streaming.Some of these decisions were driven by the need to comply with the sanctions Western governments leveled at Russia; others came because of supply chain issues or the fear of a hit to their reputations. S&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-joe-biden-business-congress-a187eb7dcbb8e8c7224adb518392bab2">anctions</a>&nbsp;have already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-japan-9fbeb1c66c523f4018abb8ebc6580839">taken a toll</a>&nbsp;on Russia’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-moscow-perm-9789398569c54f5ed3062410845dff06">economy&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-middle-east-global-trade-12ba42660a05c0b3ff533aec4e73bbac">global trade</a>.Some companies that plan to sever ties with Russia say it isn’t so simple.Citigroup said Wednesday that selling its 11 Russian bank branches will be difficult because the country’s economy has been cut off from the global financial system. Until then, Citi said it is “operating the business on a more limited basis” and is helping its U.S. and other corporate clients suspend their businesses in Russia.Likewise, Amazon says its biggest cloud-computing customers in Russia are headquartered elsewhere. The company said Tuesday it has stopped accepting new cloud-computing customers in Russia and that it plans to suspend e-commerce shipments to Russia.Fast-food companies often have franchising agreements that complicate an exit, because they don’t own those locations.That helps explain why Restaurant Brands International, owner of Burger King, is keeping its 800 restaurants open in Russia. And why Yum Brands, parent company of KFC and Pizza Hut, announced the closure of 70 company-owned KFCs across Russia, but not the nearly 1,000 franchisee-owned KFCs, or its 50 Pizza Hut locations.This sometimes applies to hotels as well: Marriott says its Russian hotels are owned by third parties, and it’s evaluating their ability to remain open.“I think a lot of these companies are expecting a backlash if they’re staying,” said Susanne Wengle, a political science professor and Russia expert at Notre Dame.McDonald’s action in Russia was easier: it owns most of the 850 restaurants in Russia it will temporarily close.But there are companies that remain in Russia — whether in whole or in part — and say that it’s because they view their products as essential.Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly is one of them. “We continue to distribute medicines in Russia as patients with cancer, diabetes and auto-immune diseases everywhere count on us to support them,” said spokesperson Tarsis Lopez, noting that EU and U.S. sanctions do not apply to medicine.PepsiCo said it will stop selling soda, but that it will continue to supply milk, baby formula and baby food in Russia. And Unilever said it will keep selling “everyday essential” Russian-made food and hygiene products to Russians, but that it will stop exporting and advertising these products.Tech companies have their own balancing act. Providers of internet-based services like Google, Twitter and Facebook have been mostly reluctant to take actions that could deprive Russian citizens access to information other than what they get from state media. (Russia blocked Facebook and Twitter, however, and then TikTok largely suspended its service in the country.)The response from industrial food producers has been complicated by Russia’s role as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-africa-lifestyle-middle-east-1b41faaa7ac0984d0673023b68d39a70">major exporter&nbsp;</a>of wheat and other commodities.Bunge, which has assets of $121 million in Russia, said Thursday that its Russian oilseed plant will operate and serve the domestic market, but that it has suspended “any new export business.” Farm equipment maker John Deere said it has stopped machine shipments to Russia; it is monitoring a Russian plant that makes seeding equipment and its dealer network in the country “day-by-day.” Cargill and ADM, other agriculture companies, have not responded to questions.These companies don’t want the Russian government to seize their assets should they close up shop, said Vincent Smith, an economics professor at Montana State University.Other companies point to their employees’ livelihoods in rationalizing decisions to stay, or not completely sever ties.Starbucks initially expressed concern for its 2,000 Russian employees before reversing course Tuesday. The Kuwaiti company that franchises its 130 Russian stores is closing them, but continuing to pay employees.British American Tobacco on Wednesday said it would keep making and selling cigarettes in Russia, where it has 2,500 employees, citing a “duty of care” for employees.___