SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating suspect on multiple charges including felony interference with law enforcement following a pursuit on Saturday.

&nbsp;Shortly before 12:30 a.m. Saturday, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a silver 1997 Ford Crown Victoria near SE 37th Street and SE Colfax Place for speeding, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. 

The driver, later identified as Anthony L. Marshall III, 29, Topeka, pulled over and the deputy approached the vehicle. While the deputy was speaking to the driver, he learned the driver did not have a driver’s license and he observed a bag of illegal narcotic pills.

While the deputy was continuing the investigation, the driver fled the scene in his vehicle, initiating a pursuit. The pursuit continued and was ended in the 2300 block of SE Highland Avenue when the deputy performed a tactical vehicle intervention.

Deputies took Marshall into custody and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, reckless driving, interference with law enforcement, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license, failure to wear a seat belt, no vehicle liability insurance and speeding.

This incident is under investigation. Additional evidence is being sent to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Additional charges are pending. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645970631480.png" alt="Marshall-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Marshall-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating suspect on multiple charges including felony interference with law enforcement following a pursuit on Saturday.&nbsp;Shortly before 12:30 a.m. Saturday, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a silver 1997 Ford Crown Victoria near SE 37th Street and SE Colfax Place for speeding, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. The driver, later identified as Anthony L. Marshall III, 29, Topeka, pulled over and the deputy approached the vehicle. While the deputy was speaking to the driver, he learned the driver did not have a driver’s license and he observed a bag of illegal narcotic pills.While the deputy was continuing the investigation, the driver fled the scene in his vehicle, initiating a pursuit. The pursuit continued and was ended in the 2300 block of SE Highland Avenue when the deputy performed a tactical vehicle intervention.Deputies took Marshall into custody and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, reckless driving, interference with law enforcement, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license, failure to wear a seat belt, no vehicle liability insurance and speeding.This incident is under investigation. Additional evidence is being sent to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Additional charges are pending.

Sheriff: Evidence going to KBI after chase, arrest

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Vladimir Putin dramatically escalated East-West tensions by ordering Russian nuclear forces put on high alert Sunday, while Ukraine’s embattled leader agreed to talks with Moscow as Putin’s troops and tanks drove deeper into the country, closing in around the capital.

When asked on Monday if Americans should be worried about nuclear war, President Biden didn't hesitate.

Citing “aggressive statements” by NATO and tough financial sanctions, Putin issued a directive to increase the readiness of Russia’s nuclear weapons, raising fears that the invasion of Ukraine could lead to nuclear war, whether by design or mistake.

The Russian leader is “potentially putting in play forces that, if there’s a miscalculation, could make things much, much more dangerous,” said a senior U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss rapidly unfolding military operations.

Putin’s directive came as Russian forces encountered strong resistance from Ukraine defenders. Moscow has so far failed to win full control of Ukraine’s airspace, despite advances across the country. U.S. officials say they believe the invasion has been more difficult, and slower, than the Kremlin envisioned, though that could change as Moscow adapts.

Amid the mounting tensions, Western nations said they would tighten sanctions and buy and deliver weapons for Ukraine, including Stinger missiles for shooting down helicopters and other aircraft.

Representatives of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with a Russian delegation at the Belarusian border on Monday.

It wasn’t immediately clear what the Kremlin was ultimately seeking, either in those potential talks on the border or, more broadly, from its war in Ukraine. Western officials believe Putin wants to overthrow Ukraine’s government and replace it with a regime of his own, reviving Moscow’s Cold War-era influence.

The fast-moving developments came as scattered fighting was reported in Kyiv. Battles also broke out in Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, and strategic ports in the country’s south came under assault from Russian forces.

By late Sunday, Russian forces had taken Berdyansk, a Ukrainian city of 100,000 on the Azov Sea coast, according to Oleksiy Arestovich, an adviser to Zelenskyy’s office. Russian troops also made advances toward Kherson, another city in the south of Ukraine, while Mariupol, a port city on the Sea of Azov that is considered a prime Russian target, is “hanging on,” Arestovich said.

With Russian troops closing in around Kyiv, a city of almost 3 million, the mayor of the capital expressed doubt that civilians could be evacuated. Authorities have been handing out weapons to anyone willing to defend the city. Ukraine is also releasing prisoners with military experience who want to fight, and training people to make firebombs.

In Mariupol, where Ukrainians were trying to fend off attack, a medical team at a city hospital desperately tried to revive a 6-year-old girl in unicorn pajamas who was mortally wounded in Russian shelling.

During the rescue attempt, a doctor in blue medical scrubs, pumping oxygen into the girl, looked directly into the Associated Press video camera capturing the scene.

“Show this to Putin,” he said angrily. “The eyes of this child, and crying doctors.”

Their resuscitation efforts failed, and the girl lay dead on a gurney, her jacket spattered with blood.

Nearly 900 kilometers (560 miles) away, Faina Bystritska was under threat in the city of Chernihiv.

“I wish I had never lived to see this,” said Bystritska, an 87-year-old Jewish survivor of World War II. She said sirens blare almost constantly in the city, about 150 kilometers (90 miles) from Kyiv.

Chernihiv residents have been told not to switch on any lights “so we don’t draw their attention,” said Bystritska, who has been living in a hallway, away from any windows, so she could better protect herself.

“The window glass constantly shakes, and there is this constant thundering noise,” she said.

Meanwhile, the top official in the European Union outlined plans by the 27-nation bloc to close its airspace to Russian airlines and buy weapons for Ukraine. The EU will also ban some pro-Kremlin media outlets, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The U.S. also stepped up the flow of weapons to Ukraine, announcing it will send Stinger missiles as part of a package approved by the White House on Friday. Germany likewise plans to send 500 Stingers and other military supplies.

Also, the 193-member U.N. General Assembly scheduled an emergency session Monday on Russia’s invasion.

Putin, in ordering the nuclear alert, cited not only statements by NATO members but the hard-hitting financial sanctions imposed by the West against Russia, including Putin himself.

“Western countries aren’t only taking unfriendly actions against our country in the economic sphere, but top officials from leading NATO members made aggressive statements regarding our country,” Putin said in televised comments.

U.S. defense officials would not disclose their current nuclear alert level except to say that the military is prepared all times to defend its homeland and allies.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told ABC that Putin is resorting to the pattern he used in the weeks before the invasion, “which is to manufacture threats that don’t exist in order to justify further aggression.”

The practical meaning of Putin’s order was not immediately clear. Russia and the United States typically have land- and submarine-based nuclear forces that are on alert and prepared for combat at all times, but nuclear-capable bombers and other aircraft are not.

If Putin is arming or otherwise raising the nuclear combat readiness of his bombers, or if he is ordering more ballistic missile submarines to sea, then the U.S. might feel compelled to respond in kind, said Hans Kristensen, a nuclear analyst at the Federation of American Scientists.

Earlier Sunday, Kyiv was eerily quiet after explosions lit up the morning sky and authorities reported blasts at one airport. A main boulevard was practically deserted as a strict curfew kept people off the streets. Authorities warned that anyone venturing out without a pass would be considered a Russian saboteur.

Terrified residents hunkered down in homes, underground garages and subway stations in anticipation of a full-scale Russian assault. Food and medicine were running low, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

“Right now, the most important question is to defend our country,” Klitschko said.

In downtown Kharkiv, 86-year-old Olena Dudnik said she and her husband were nearly thrown from their bed by the pressure blast of a nearby explosion.

“We are suffering immensely,” she said by phone. “We don’t have much food in the pantry, and I worry the stores aren’t going to have anything either, if they reopen.” She added: “I just want the shooting to stop, people to stop being killed.”

Russia’s failure thus far to win full control of Ukraine’s airspace is a surprising lapse that has given outgunned Ukrainian forces a chance to slow the advance of Russian ground forces. Normally, gaining what the military calls air superiority is one of the first priorities for an invading force.

But even though Russian troops are being slowed by Ukrainian resistance, fuel shortages and other logistical problems, a senior U.S. defense official said that will probably change. “We are in day four. The Russians will learn and adapt,” the official said.

The number of casualties from Europe’s largest land conflict since World War II remained unclear amid the confusion.

Ukraine’s Interior Ministry said Sunday that 352 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, including 14 children. It said an additional 1,684 people, including 116 children, have been wounded.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov gave no figures on Russia’s dead and wounded but said Sunday his country’s losses were “many times” lower than Ukraine’s.

About 368,000 Ukrainians have arrived in neighboring countries since the invasion started Thursday, according to the U.N. refugee agency.

Along with military assistance, the U.S., European Union and Britain also agreed to block&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-european-union-704b3b6678c5d23bd05482c89a0384d2">selected Russian banks</a>&nbsp;from the SWIFT system, which moves money around thousands of banks and other financial institutions worldwide. They also moved to slap restrictions on Russia’s central bank.

Russia’s economy has taken a pounding since the invasion, with the ruble plunging and the central bank calling for calm to avoid bank runs.

Russia, which massed almost 200,000 troops along Ukraine’s borders, claims&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-conflict-updates-today-c489b6f56d84f9483802dc3f142cbc8e">its assault&nbsp;</a>is aimed only at military targets, but bridges, schools and residential neighborhoods have also been hit.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Vladimir Putin dramatically escalated East-West tensions by ordering Russian nuclear forces put on high alert Sunday, while Ukraine’s embattled leader agreed to talks with Moscow as Putin’s troops and tanks drove deeper into the country, closing in around the capital.When asked on Monday if Americans should be worried about nuclear war, President Biden didn't hesitate.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Q: &quot;Should Americans be worried about nuclear war?&quot; President Biden: &quot;No.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/ZRg15av1l3">pic.twitter.com/ZRg15av1l3</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1498390465602797571?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Citing “aggressive statements” by NATO and tough financial sanctions, Putin issued a directive to increase the readiness of Russia’s nuclear weapons, raising fears that the invasion of Ukraine could lead to nuclear war, whether by design or mistake.The Russian leader is “potentially putting in play forces that, if there’s a miscalculation, could make things much, much more dangerous,” said a senior U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss rapidly unfolding military operations.Putin’s directive came as Russian forces encountered strong resistance from Ukraine defenders. Moscow has so far failed to win full control of Ukraine’s airspace, despite advances across the country. U.S. officials say they believe the invasion has been more difficult, and slower, than the Kremlin envisioned, though that could change as Moscow adapts.Amid the mounting tensions, Western nations said they would tighten sanctions and buy and deliver weapons for Ukraine, including Stinger missiles for shooting down helicopters and other aircraft.Representatives of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks with a Russian delegation at the Belarusian border on Monday.It wasn’t immediately clear what the Kremlin was ultimately seeking, either in those potential talks on the border or, more broadly, from its war in Ukraine. Western officials believe Putin wants to overthrow Ukraine’s government and replace it with a regime of his own, reviving Moscow’s Cold War-era influence.The fast-moving developments came as scattered fighting was reported in Kyiv. Battles also broke out in Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, and strategic ports in the country’s south came under assault from Russian forces.By late Sunday, Russian forces had taken Berdyansk, a Ukrainian city of 100,000 on the Azov Sea coast, according to Oleksiy Arestovich, an adviser to Zelenskyy’s office. Russian troops also made advances toward Kherson, another city in the south of Ukraine, while Mariupol, a port city on the Sea of Azov that is considered a prime Russian target, is “hanging on,” Arestovich said.With Russian troops closing in around Kyiv, a city of almost 3 million, the mayor of the capital expressed doubt that civilians could be evacuated. Authorities have been handing out weapons to anyone willing to defend the city. Ukraine is also releasing prisoners with military experience who want to fight, and training people to make firebombs.In Mariupol, where Ukrainians were trying to fend off attack, a medical team at a city hospital desperately tried to revive a 6-year-old girl in unicorn pajamas who was mortally wounded in Russian shelling.During the rescue attempt, a doctor in blue medical scrubs, pumping oxygen into the girl, looked directly into the Associated Press video camera capturing the scene.“Show this to Putin,” he said angrily. “The eyes of this child, and crying doctors.”Their resuscitation efforts failed, and the girl lay dead on a gurney, her jacket spattered with blood.Nearly 900 kilometers (560 miles) away, Faina Bystritska was under threat in the city of Chernihiv.“I wish I had never lived to see this,” said Bystritska, an 87-year-old Jewish survivor of World War II. She said sirens blare almost constantly in the city, about 150 kilometers (90 miles) from Kyiv.Chernihiv residents have been told not to switch on any lights “so we don’t draw their attention,” said Bystritska, who has been living in a hallway, away from any windows, so she could better protect herself.“The window glass constantly shakes, and there is this constant thundering noise,” she said.Meanwhile, the top official in the European Union outlined plans by the 27-nation bloc to close its airspace to Russian airlines and buy weapons for Ukraine. The EU will also ban some pro-Kremlin media outlets, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.The U.S. also stepped up the flow of weapons to Ukraine, announcing it will send Stinger missiles as part of a package approved by the White House on Friday. Germany likewise plans to send 500 Stingers and other military supplies.Also, the 193-member U.N. General Assembly scheduled an emergency session Monday on Russia’s invasion.Putin, in ordering the nuclear alert, cited not only statements by NATO members but the hard-hitting financial sanctions imposed by the West against Russia, including Putin himself.“Western countries aren’t only taking unfriendly actions against our country in the economic sphere, but top officials from leading NATO members made aggressive statements regarding our country,” Putin said in televised comments.U.S. defense officials would not disclose their current nuclear alert level except to say that the military is prepared all times to defend its homeland and allies.White House press secretary Jen Psaki told ABC that Putin is resorting to the pattern he used in the weeks before the invasion, “which is to manufacture threats that don’t exist in order to justify further aggression.”The practical meaning of Putin’s order was not immediately clear. Russia and the United States typically have land- and submarine-based nuclear forces that are on alert and prepared for combat at all times, but nuclear-capable bombers and other aircraft are not.If Putin is arming or otherwise raising the nuclear combat readiness of his bombers, or if he is ordering more ballistic missile submarines to sea, then the U.S. might feel compelled to respond in kind, said Hans Kristensen, a nuclear analyst at the Federation of American Scientists.Earlier Sunday, Kyiv was eerily quiet after explosions lit up the morning sky and authorities reported blasts at one airport. A main boulevard was practically deserted as a strict curfew kept people off the streets. Authorities warned that anyone venturing out without a pass would be considered a Russian saboteur.Terrified residents hunkered down in homes, underground garages and subway stations in anticipation of a full-scale Russian assault. Food and medicine were running low, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.“Right now, the most important question is to defend our country,” Klitschko said.In downtown Kharkiv, 86-year-old Olena Dudnik said she and her husband were nearly thrown from their bed by the pressure blast of a nearby explosion.“We are suffering immensely,” she said by phone. “We don’t have much food in the pantry, and I worry the stores aren’t going to have anything either, if they reopen.” She added: “I just want the shooting to stop, people to stop being killed.”Russia’s failure thus far to win full control of Ukraine’s airspace is a surprising lapse that has given outgunned Ukrainian forces a chance to slow the advance of Russian ground forces. Normally, gaining what the military calls air superiority is one of the first priorities for an invading force.But even though Russian troops are being slowed by Ukrainian resistance, fuel shortages and other logistical problems, a senior U.S. defense official said that will probably change. “We are in day four. The Russians will learn and adapt,” the official said.The number of casualties from Europe’s largest land conflict since World War II remained unclear amid the confusion.Ukraine’s Interior Ministry said Sunday that 352 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, including 14 children. It said an additional 1,684 people, including 116 children, have been wounded.Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov gave no figures on Russia’s dead and wounded but said Sunday his country’s losses were “many times” lower than Ukraine’s.About 368,000 Ukrainians have arrived in neighboring countries since the invasion started Thursday, according to the U.N. refugee agency.Along with military assistance, the U.S., European Union and Britain also agreed to block&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-europe-european-union-704b3b6678c5d23bd05482c89a0384d2">selected Russian banks</a>&nbsp;from the SWIFT system, which moves money around thousands of banks and other financial institutions worldwide. They also moved to slap restrictions on Russia’s central bank.Russia’s economy has taken a pounding since the invasion, with the ruble plunging and the central bank calling for calm to avoid bank runs.Russia, which massed almost 200,000 troops along Ukraine’s borders, claims&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-conflict-updates-today-c489b6f56d84f9483802dc3f142cbc8e">its assault&nbsp;</a>is aimed only at military targets, but bridges, schools and residential neighborhoods have also been hit.___

President Biden: Americans should not worry about nuclear war

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a Sunday morning shooting at a home in Lenexa have identified the three who died.

According to Lenexa Police Department spokesman Officer Danny Chavez, the victims are 20-year-old John M. Williamson of Lenexa 22-year-old Sara M. Beck and 37-year-old Dustin J. Johnson both of Belton, Missouri.

Just before 1:30 a.m. Sunday police responded to a reported shooting at a&nbsp; home in the 8400 Block of Laurelwood Street.

Officers found three who had been shot. One victim was dead. EMS transported two other victims to the hospital where they died, according to Chavez.

Police have not reported what led to the shooting.

LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — Three people died after a shooting in a Kansas City suburb on Sunday. Lenexa Police Department spokesman Officer Danny Chavez said the shooting was reported around 1:20 a.m. Sunday inside a home in the 8400 block of Laurelwood Street in Lenexa. 

The Kansas City Star reports that three people with gunshot wounds were found inside the house. Chavez said one person died at the house. The other two victims were taken to a hospital where they later died. The victims’ names and ages were not immediately released. This is the first homicide reported in Lenexa since last May.

LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — Two people died and a third person was injured after a shooting in a Kansas City suburb on Sunday. 

Lenexa Police Department spokesman Officer Danny Chavez said the shooting was reported around 1:20 a.m. Sunday inside a home in the 8400 block of Laurelwood Street in Lenexa. 

The Kansas City Star reports that three people with gunshot wounds were found inside the house. Chavez said one person died at the house. The other two victims were taken to a hospital where one later died. The victims’ names and ages were not immediately released. And the condition of the victim that survived the shooting also wasn’t released Sunday morning.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646085402627.png" alt="Police at a home in the 8400 block of Laurelwood Street in Lenexa -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police at a home in the 8400 block of Laurelwood Street in Lenexa -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a Sunday morning shooting at a home in Lenexa have identified the three who died.According to Lenexa Police Department spokesman Officer Danny Chavez, the victims are 20-year-old John M. Williamson of Lenexa 22-year-old Sara M. Beck and 37-year-old Dustin J. Johnson both of Belton, Missouri.Just before 1:30 a.m. Sunday police responded to a reported shooting at a&nbsp; home in the 8400 Block of Laurelwood Street.Officers found three who had been shot. One victim was dead. EMS transported two other victims to the hospital where they died, according to Chavez. Police have not reported what led to the shooting.-------------LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — Three people died after a shooting in a Kansas City suburb on Sunday. Lenexa Police Department spokesman Officer Danny Chavez said the shooting was reported around 1:20 a.m. Sunday inside a home in the 8400 block of Laurelwood Street in Lenexa. The Kansas City Star reports that three people with gunshot wounds were found inside the house. Chavez said one person died at the house. The other two victims were taken to a hospital where they later died. The victims’ names and ages were not immediately released. This is the first homicide reported in Lenexa since last May.--------LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — Two people died and a third person was injured after a shooting in a Kansas City suburb on Sunday. Lenexa Police Department spokesman Officer Danny Chavez said the shooting was reported around 1:20 a.m. Sunday inside a home in the 8400 block of Laurelwood Street in Lenexa. The Kansas City Star reports that three people with gunshot wounds were found inside the house. Chavez said one person died at the house. The other two victims were taken to a hospital where one later died. The victims’ names and ages were not immediately released. And the condition of the victim that survived the shooting also wasn’t released Sunday morning.

Police ID three who died after shooting at Kansas home

By DARRELL EHRLICK <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/02/28/making-the-simple-impossible-we-dont-want-to-admit-the-real-worker-shortage-problem-opinion/">Courtesy Missouri Independent</a>

A week ago, I was talking to an 
educator whose job it is to run training programs for students and 
adults in higher education. She told me that around a dozen different 
companies and groups were sponsoring training courses for things like 
nursing assistants, medical workers, electricians and truck driving.

All of the courses were being underwritten by businesses and 
organizations in hopes of finding workers for jobs that are – and have 
been open – for some time. Classrooms were available. Instructors were 
ready. But only one class had enough students to hold the class.

Of all the things COVID-19 has taken from us – freedom to travel, a 
feeling of safety when going to the store – one of the most profound has
 been the change in workforce.

I asked, “So where are all those students and workers?”

“You’re the journalist. You tell me,” she replied.

The workers and students that seemed more plentiful before 2020 have 
disappeared. We could speculate that they’ve wandered off to other 
states, other areas, but we know other towns and states are struggling 
with the same workforce shortage. And the demand for housing has rarely 
been greater.

While the statistics look good on paper, the hidden truth behind 
those numbers is that those surveys include people who are actively 
looking for jobs or are in the workforce presently. What it doesn’t 
quite capture is the one statistic we need most: How many of the people 
have dropped out?

There are certainly a lot of practical questions that 
“non-participating” workers raise: How are they living? Where are they 
living? And what would make them come back?

Those aren’t the topic of this column, instead they are at the front 
of what journalists are trying to solve, discover and report.

Instead, I wonder if we’re overthinking the issue a bit.

The workforce shortage issue is being framed as an economic problem –
 employers can’t find enough workers and wages don’t seem to entice 
them.

Yet, maybe there are drivers of this wave of joblessness that we all 
know, but don’t really want to tackle. Maybe we just don’t like what the
 workforce shortage is telling us, and so we search for other more 
complex, nuanced interpretations.

As an observer and reporter, I think maybe the answer to the workforce shortage is a combination of time and fatigue.

American productivity, an actual calculation maintained by the government, shows that Americans have consistently been working&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/productivity#:~:text=Productivity%20in%20the%20United%20States,the%20first%20quarter%20of%201950.">harder and putting in more hours</a>&nbsp;while wages have&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/wage-stagnation-in-america#:~:text=U.S.%20workers%20have%20grappled%20with,compared%20to%20overall%20economic%20productivity.">remained stagnant</a>.
 In some cases, workers have been above 100 percent capacity, meaning 
they’re putting in more work and longer hours above what is expected in 
an effort to simply keep pace. In an effort to cling to good jobs, 
workers have been pushing themselves hard. In short, the economy was, to
 borrow a phrase, punching above its weight.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-prices-inflation-c1bfd93ed1719cf0135420f4fd0270f9">inflation</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dailymontanan.com/2021/08/30/housing-prices-continue-climbing-in-urban-rural-montana/">housing prices</a>&nbsp;have
 continued to escalate faster than wages, meaning those already 
overworked workers are doing more, falling farther behind. And no one 
wants to worker harder to find themselves deeper in a hole.

And that leads me to time: While it seems like COVID has been one 
long episode of “Groundhog Day,” it’s now been more than two years since
 the disease has impacted the American economy and the country. While 
not an expansive amount of time, it’s enough for workers to change their
 habits, expectations and start over.

Maybe – just maybe – workers have downsized, found a new path, or 
readjusted to what they can or should expect. They’ve had plenty of time
 to think about working 40 to 80 hours per week and still not being able
 to afford housing or food. They may have decided: It’s just not worth 
it. Whether that means living with family or friends, living in a much 
smaller place, or finding a new career, people are fatigued and not 
going to back to how it was.

This also seems to be a crisis of mental health, hidden by the 
extreme consequences of COVID itself. We keep tabs on the 
hospitalizations and deaths, but calculating mental health problems is 
more nebulous. I suspect part of the key to the where-are-the-workers 
mystery could likely be told by mental health professionals. I would 
wager they’re seeing depression, burnout and anxiety from folks that 
might have otherwise never seen a counselor. One of the hidden costs of 
the virus has been the toll the disease has taken on the already 
frazzled worker.

Maybe we’re just making this whole situation too complex – as if 
there’s some undiscovered enclave of workers playing hide-and-seek. That
 would be an easy sort of problem to wrap your mind around.

Instead, after several years of reporting what is happening, a 
different narrative may be emerging, and it’s even more scary than the 
prospect of COVID itself. It’s what happens when the notion of the 
American Dream – a home, a career, a retirement – starts to evaporate.

When the American Dream ceases to become a vision that can be realized, people simply quit dreaming.

And if there’s nothing to work for, nothing to build toward, it would
 certainly stand to reason that there’d be a lot of empty classroom 
seats and a lot more “Help Wanted” signs.

Darrell Ehrlick is the editor-in-chief of the Daily Montanan, after leading his native state’s largest paper, The Billings Gazette. He is an award-winning journalist, author, historian and teacher, whose career has taken him to North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Utah, and Wyoming.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646064416499.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By DARRELL EHRLICK <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/02/28/making-the-simple-impossible-we-dont-want-to-admit-the-real-worker-shortage-problem-opinion/">Courtesy Missouri Independent</a>A week ago, I was talking to an 
educator whose job it is to run training programs for students and 
adults in higher education. She told me that around a dozen different 
companies and groups were sponsoring training courses for things like 
nursing assistants, medical workers, electricians and truck driving.All of the courses were being underwritten by businesses and 
organizations in hopes of finding workers for jobs that are – and have 
been open – for some time. Classrooms were available. Instructors were 
ready. But only one class had enough students to hold the class.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Of all the things COVID-19 has taken from us – freedom to travel, a 
feeling of safety when going to the store – one of the most profound has
 been the change in workforce.I asked, “So where are all those students and workers?”“You’re the journalist. You tell me,” she replied.The workers and students that seemed more plentiful before 2020 have 
disappeared. We could speculate that they’ve wandered off to other 
states, other areas, but we know other towns and states are struggling 
with the same workforce shortage. And the demand for housing has rarely 
been greater.While the statistics look good on paper, the hidden truth behind 
those numbers is that those surveys include people who are actively 
looking for jobs or are in the workforce presently. What it doesn’t 
quite capture is the one statistic we need most: How many of the people 
have dropped out?There are certainly a lot of practical questions that 
“non-participating” workers raise: How are they living? Where are they 
living? And what would make them come back?Those aren’t the topic of this column, instead they are at the front 
of what journalists are trying to solve, discover and report.Instead, I wonder if we’re overthinking the issue a bit.The workforce shortage issue is being framed as an economic problem –
 employers can’t find enough workers and wages don’t seem to entice 
them.Yet, maybe there are drivers of this wave of joblessness that we all 
know, but don’t really want to tackle. Maybe we just don’t like what the
 workforce shortage is telling us, and so we search for other more 
complex, nuanced interpretations.As an observer and reporter, I think maybe the answer to the workforce shortage is a combination of time and fatigue.American productivity, an actual calculation maintained by the government, shows that Americans have consistently been working&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/productivity#:~:text=Productivity%20in%20the%20United%20States,the%20first%20quarter%20of%201950.">harder and putting in more hours</a>&nbsp;while wages have&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/wage-stagnation-in-america#:~:text=U.S.%20workers%20have%20grappled%20with,compared%20to%20overall%20economic%20productivity.">remained stagnant</a>.
 In some cases, workers have been above 100 percent capacity, meaning 
they’re putting in more work and longer hours above what is expected in 
an effort to simply keep pace. In an effort to cling to good jobs, 
workers have been pushing themselves hard. In short, the economy was, to
 borrow a phrase, punching above its weight.Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/consumer-prices-inflation-c1bfd93ed1719cf0135420f4fd0270f9">inflation</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dailymontanan.com/2021/08/30/housing-prices-continue-climbing-in-urban-rural-montana/">housing prices</a>&nbsp;have
 continued to escalate faster than wages, meaning those already 
overworked workers are doing more, falling farther behind. And no one 
wants to worker harder to find themselves deeper in a hole.And that leads me to time: While it seems like COVID has been one 
long episode of “Groundhog Day,” it’s now been more than two years since
 the disease has impacted the American economy and the country. While 
not an expansive amount of time, it’s enough for workers to change their
 habits, expectations and start over.Maybe – just maybe – workers have downsized, found a new path, or 
readjusted to what they can or should expect. They’ve had plenty of time
 to think about working 40 to 80 hours per week and still not being able
 to afford housing or food. They may have decided: It’s just not worth 
it. Whether that means living with family or friends, living in a much 
smaller place, or finding a new career, people are fatigued and not 
going to back to how it was.This also seems to be a crisis of mental health, hidden by the 
extreme consequences of COVID itself. We keep tabs on the 
hospitalizations and deaths, but calculating mental health problems is 
more nebulous. I suspect part of the key to the where-are-the-workers 
mystery could likely be told by mental health professionals. I would 
wager they’re seeing depression, burnout and anxiety from folks that 
might have otherwise never seen a counselor. One of the hidden costs of 
the virus has been the toll the disease has taken on the already 
frazzled worker.Maybe we’re just making this whole situation too complex – as if 
there’s some undiscovered enclave of workers playing hide-and-seek. That
 would be an easy sort of problem to wrap your mind around.Instead, after several years of reporting what is happening, a 
different narrative may be emerging, and it’s even more scary than the 
prospect of COVID itself. It’s what happens when the notion of the 
American Dream – a home, a career, a retirement – starts to evaporate.When the American Dream ceases to become a vision that can be realized, people simply quit dreaming.And if there’s nothing to work for, nothing to build toward, it would
 certainly stand to reason that there’d be a lot of empty classroom 
seats and a lot more “Help Wanted” signs.Darrell Ehrlick is the editor-in-chief of the Daily Montanan, after leading his native state’s largest paper, The Billings Gazette. He is an award-winning journalist, author, historian and teacher, whose career has taken him to North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Utah, and Wyoming.

OPINION: We don’t want to admit the real worker shortage problem

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/commerce-agency-seeks-public-scrutiny-of-36-broadband-infrastructure-projects/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of
 Commerce received 36 applications for a share of $5 million in matching
 funds for improvement of broadband access.

Commerce secretary David Toland, who also serves as the lieutenant 
governor, said a public comment period would be open until March 8 for 
consideration of specific grant proposals for upgrading communication 
services in more than 30 counties. Grant applicants will have an 
opportunity in mid-March to respond to public input.

The Broadband Acceleration Grant Program provides 50% of total cost 
of infrastructure projects planned for completion by October 2023. The 
program aims to support projects that wouldn’t likely be completed 
without state or federal financial assistance.

“The intense demand for this program across Kansas reflects the 
widespread need for more robust broadband access in unserved areas of 
Kansas,” Toland said. “We are committed to being transparent and making 
the best possible investment decisions for Kansas broadband 
infrastructure.”

To review applications and provide commentary,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjAyMjguNTQxMjI2MzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rYW5zYXNjb21tZXJjZS5nb3YvcHJvZ3JhbS9jb21tdW5pdHktcHJvZ3JhbXMvYnJvYWRiYW5kLWFjY2VsZXJhdGlvbi1ncmFudC9rb2JkLWJhZy1wdWJsaWMtY29tbWVudC15ZWFyLTIvIn0.F1kkjgdSZ75B8_GHgp7L6pb9w3nBJuXJzWGVQKwue_0/s/1303160910/br/127270036104-l">click here</a>.

Money for the grant program will be drawn from the Eisenhower Legacy 
Transportation Program adopted with bipartisan legislative support in 
2020 and signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly.

Stanley Adams, director of the commerce department’s office of 
broadband development, said the comment period was a tool for evaluating
 complex proposals to guarantee the state made solid investment 
decisions.

“Receiving public comment before projects are awarded furthers the 
value and impact these grant projects make and we look forward to 
leveraging public input again for this year’s program,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646067073620.png" alt="The Kansas Department of Commerce is seeking public comment on 36 broadband infrastructure proposals for upgrading services om more than 30 counties with $5 million in matching funds from the state’s highway program. (Submitted/Courtesy Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Department of Commerce is seeking public comment on 36 broadband infrastructure proposals for upgrading services om more than 30 counties with $5 million in matching funds from the state’s highway program. (Submitted/Courtesy Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/commerce-agency-seeks-public-scrutiny-of-36-broadband-infrastructure-projects/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of
 Commerce received 36 applications for a share of $5 million in matching
 funds for improvement of broadband access.Commerce secretary David Toland, who also serves as the lieutenant 
governor, said a public comment period would be open until March 8 for 
consideration of specific grant proposals for upgrading communication 
services in more than 30 counties. Grant applicants will have an 
opportunity in mid-March to respond to public input.The Broadband Acceleration Grant Program provides 50% of total cost 
of infrastructure projects planned for completion by October 2023. The 
program aims to support projects that wouldn’t likely be completed 
without state or federal financial assistance.“The intense demand for this program across Kansas reflects the 
widespread need for more robust broadband access in unserved areas of 
Kansas,” Toland said. “We are committed to being transparent and making 
the best possible investment decisions for Kansas broadband 
infrastructure.”To review applications and provide commentary,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjAyMjguNTQxMjI2MzEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5rYW5zYXNjb21tZXJjZS5nb3YvcHJvZ3JhbS9jb21tdW5pdHktcHJvZ3JhbXMvYnJvYWRiYW5kLWFjY2VsZXJhdGlvbi1ncmFudC9rb2JkLWJhZy1wdWJsaWMtY29tbWVudC15ZWFyLTIvIn0.F1kkjgdSZ75B8_GHgp7L6pb9w3nBJuXJzWGVQKwue_0/s/1303160910/br/127270036104-l">click here</a>.Money for the grant program will be drawn from the Eisenhower Legacy 
Transportation Program adopted with bipartisan legislative support in 
2020 and signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly.Stanley Adams, director of the commerce department’s office of 
broadband development, said the comment period was a tool for evaluating
 complex proposals to guarantee the state made solid investment 
decisions.“Receiving public comment before projects are awarded furthers the 
value and impact these grant projects make and we look forward to 
leveraging public input again for this year’s program,” he said.

Kan. seeks public scrutiny of 36 broadband infrastructure projects

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge has permanently blocked a Kansas law prohibiting out-of-state groups from mailing advance ballot applications to voters who request them, ordering the state to pay the attorney fees of two national nonprofit groups who sued contending it disenfranchises voters.

U.S. District Judge Kathrn Vratil declared those provisions in the law violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution and permanently enjoined the state from enforcing them.

The stipulated order — which the state agreed not to appeal — partially resolves the lawsuit brought by VoteAmerica and the Voter Participation Center. The court sided with the voting rights groups on claims related to freedom of speech, freedom of association and overbreadth of the law.

In January, Vratil granted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elections-voting-voting-rights-kansas-a710c84d95b7c2273e216596eab846bc">a preliminary injunction against the new law</a>&nbsp;before it took effect.

The law that is the focus of the litigation was one of two voting laws that were passed last year over the veto of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603417995976.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge has permanently blocked a Kansas law prohibiting out-of-state groups from mailing advance ballot applications to voters who request them, ordering the state to pay the attorney fees of two national nonprofit groups who sued contending it disenfranchises voters.U.S. District Judge Kathrn Vratil declared those provisions in the law violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution and permanently enjoined the state from enforcing them.The stipulated order — which the state agreed not to appeal — partially resolves the lawsuit brought by VoteAmerica and the Voter Participation Center. The court sided with the voting rights groups on claims related to freedom of speech, freedom of association and overbreadth of the law.In January, Vratil granted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elections-voting-voting-rights-kansas-a710c84d95b7c2273e216596eab846bc">a preliminary injunction against the new law</a>&nbsp;before it took effect.The law that is the focus of the litigation was one of two voting laws that were passed last year over the veto of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly.

Judge blocks Kansas law on mailed ballot applications

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/27/johnson-county-teachers-push-back-against-avalanche-of-k-12-education-reform-bills/">Kansas Reflector</a>

OLATHE — Prairie Trail Middle 
School teacher Kelly Ruiz despairs about the bundle of bills under 
consideration by the Kansas Legislature based on the premise of 
educational malfeasance in K-12 public schools.

Republican House and Senate members have demonstrated interest in 
shifting more public tax dollars to private schools, highlighting 
struggles of public school students during the COVID-19 pandemic, 
denouncing teachers for allegedly advancing critical race theory, 
raising the possibility to labeling as offensive or removing library 
materials, weakening student vaccination programs, imposing broad 
mandates on publication of curriculum materials to an online database 
and imposing a parental bill of rights.

“We have to stop the legislation,” Ruiz said during a forum Saturday 
in Olathe. “It undermines what we do in the classroom. It disrespects 
and disregards us as professionals. Trust us. We know what saves kids. 
We know what inspires kids.”

Rep. Kristey Williams, a Republican who chairs the House K-12 
Education Budget Committee, and Sen. Molly Baumgardner, the Republican 
chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee, have been working on the 
bulk of bills some educators find objectionable. Much of that 
legislative agenda is expected to be considered by lawmakers during the 
second half of the annual session that starts Tuesday.

“There is one central question that I try to circle back to when 
considering importing policy as chair of the House’s K-12 Education 
Budget Committee: What is best for kids?” Williams said. “With that 
central theme of kids first, or kids before systems, our committee has 
heard four bills providing more school choice, both public and private 
choices.”

In the November school board elections in Johnson County, issues of 
critical race theory, mask mandates during the pandemic and transparency
 of school district officials were prominent themes raised by candidates
 and disgruntled parents.

Annie Goodson, a Blue Valley West High School teacher, said during 
the forum she was concerned about willingness of young teachers to stick
 with education careers given challenges posed by COVID-19 and eagerness
 of politicians to leave a heavy footprint on an education system in 
Kansas serving about 500,000 students.

“They’re entering a pretty hostile atmosphere right now,” Goodson said.

Olathe third-grade teacher Jeremie Tharp, who is in her 18th year as 
an educator, said assertions public school teachers were lazy, biased or
 in the profession to indoctrinate children were wrong.

She said she’d sacrificed parts of her own young family — a 
third-grade son and sixth-grade daughter — to place her in a better 
position to impact the lives of students at Pleasant Ridge Elementary. 
At times, she said, it’s not clear she has the stamina to push through 
to the next year.

Tharp keeps a “smile file” of notes from parents and students that 
document how she made a difference even when things didn’t go as 
planned.

“It is where Hudson told me I am his most favorite teacher of all, 
and Everly said that every day when she walks into class, the thing she 
likes most is me. It’s where Maggie wrote that in my classroom is the 
only place she feels like she is home and can rest, and Avery told me I 
was her best friend.”

Matthew Shulman, a social studies teacher at Blue Valley Northwest 
High School, said the quest of some politicians to be confrontational 
with public school educators would result in quality people turning away
 from the profession or prompting experienced teachers to resign.

“Instead of pushing people away,” he said, “we need to somehow find a way to support our teachers.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646059763448.png" alt="Rep. Kristey Williams, a Republican from Augusta and chairwoman of the House K-12 Education Budget Committee, is a proponent of substantive reform of the state’s public education system serving about 500,000 students. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Kristey Williams, a Republican from Augusta and chairwoman of the House K-12 Education Budget Committee, is a proponent of substantive reform of the state’s public education system serving about 500,000 students. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/27/johnson-county-teachers-push-back-against-avalanche-of-k-12-education-reform-bills/">Kansas Reflector</a>OLATHE — Prairie Trail Middle 
School teacher Kelly Ruiz despairs about the bundle of bills under 
consideration by the Kansas Legislature based on the premise of 
educational malfeasance in K-12 public schools.Republican House and Senate members have demonstrated interest in 
shifting more public tax dollars to private schools, highlighting 
struggles of public school students during the COVID-19 pandemic, 
denouncing teachers for allegedly advancing critical race theory, 
raising the possibility to labeling as offensive or removing library 
materials, weakening student vaccination programs, imposing broad 
mandates on publication of curriculum materials to an online database 
and imposing a parental bill of rights.“We have to stop the legislation,” Ruiz said during a forum Saturday 
in Olathe. “It undermines what we do in the classroom. It disrespects 
and disregards us as professionals. Trust us. We know what saves kids. 
We know what inspires kids.”Rep. Kristey Williams, a Republican who chairs the House K-12 
Education Budget Committee, and Sen. Molly Baumgardner, the Republican 
chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee, have been working on the 
bulk of bills some educators find objectionable. Much of that 
legislative agenda is expected to be considered by lawmakers during the 
second half of the annual session that starts Tuesday.“There is one central question that I try to circle back to when 
considering importing policy as chair of the House’s K-12 Education 
Budget Committee: What is best for kids?” Williams said. “With that 
central theme of kids first, or kids before systems, our committee has 
heard four bills providing more school choice, both public and private 
choices.”In the November school board elections in Johnson County, issues of 
critical race theory, mask mandates during the pandemic and transparency
 of school district officials were prominent themes raised by candidates
 and disgruntled parents.Annie Goodson, a Blue Valley West High School teacher, said during 
the forum she was concerned about willingness of young teachers to stick
 with education careers given challenges posed by COVID-19 and eagerness
 of politicians to leave a heavy footprint on an education system in 
Kansas serving about 500,000 students.“They’re entering a pretty hostile atmosphere right now,” Goodson said.Olathe third-grade teacher Jeremie Tharp, who is in her 18th year as 
an educator, said assertions public school teachers were lazy, biased or
 in the profession to indoctrinate children were wrong.She said she’d sacrificed parts of her own young family — a 
third-grade son and sixth-grade daughter — to place her in a better 
position to impact the lives of students at Pleasant Ridge Elementary. 
At times, she said, it’s not clear she has the stamina to push through 
to the next year.Tharp keeps a “smile file” of notes from parents and students that 
document how she made a difference even when things didn’t go as 
planned.“It is where Hudson told me I am his most favorite teacher of all, 
and Everly said that every day when she walks into class, the thing she 
likes most is me. It’s where Maggie wrote that in my classroom is the 
only place she feels like she is home and can rest, and Avery told me I 
was her best friend.”Matthew Shulman, a social studies teacher at Blue Valley Northwest 
High School, said the quest of some politicians to be confrontational 
with public school educators would result in quality people turning away
 from the profession or prompting experienced teachers to resign.“Instead of pushing people away,” he said, “we need to somehow find a way to support our teachers.”

Kan. teachers push back against avalanche of school reform bills

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 479 to a total of 766,045, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The state reported nine additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 7,946.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;

Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 479 to a total of 766,045, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp; &nbsp;The state reported nine additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 7,946.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646071427970.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

KDHE: The latest COVID-19 numbers in Kansas

JOHNSON COUNTY —Three homes under construction were destroyed in a Monday morning fire in Johnson County.

Just before 4:30a.m., crews responded to a&nbsp;house fire in the 11100 Block of West 172nd Terrace, according to the Overland Park Fire Department.

First arriving units found heavy fire coming from a 2-story, single family home under construction. The fire spread to other homes under construction on both sides, according to Overland Park Fire Deparatment.

A second alarm was called which brought fire crews from Overland Park and Olathe.

The homes were in the framing stage and had no fire protection measures in place. Tremendous thermal columns and a south wind spread flaming embers to the adjoining house to the north.&nbsp; Radiant heat likely ignited the house to the south, according to Overland Park Fire officials.

Firefighters attacked the blaze from all sides and flowed water onto a fourth occupied home to the north to protect it from falling embers. The occupants were evacuated. The fire destroyed three homes under construction. There were no injuries. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646055509100.png" alt="Photos courtesy Overland Park Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy Overland Park Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Three homes under construction were destroyed in a Monday morning fire in Johnson County.Just before 4:30a.m., crews responded to a&nbsp;house fire in the 11100 Block of West 172nd Terrace, according to the Overland Park Fire Department.First arriving units found heavy fire coming from a 2-story, single family home under construction. The fire spread to other homes under construction on both sides, according to Overland Park Fire Deparatment.A second alarm was called which brought fire crews from Overland Park and Olathe.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646056463658.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The homes were in the framing stage and had no fire protection measures in place. Tremendous thermal columns and a south wind spread flaming embers to the adjoining house to the north.&nbsp; Radiant heat likely ignited the house to the south, according to Overland Park Fire officials.Firefighters attacked the blaze from all sides and flowed water onto a fourth occupied home to the north to protect it from falling embers. The occupants were evacuated. The fire destroyed three homes under construction. There were no injuries. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Homes under construction destroyed in Kansas fire

MARION COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating an accident that occurred just before 4a.m. Sunday in Marion County released additional details Monday.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Toyota 4-Runner driven by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/10030.php">Jonathan Medina</a>, 19, Lyons, was northbound on Indigo Road at 130th.

At the county correction line, the Toyota traveled off the embankment and rolled.

Two passengers, also member of of the Tabor College Football team identified as 22-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/9496.php">Christopher Castillo,</a>&nbsp;a senior from San Juan Capistrano, Califoria and 23-year-old<a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/10023.php">&nbsp;Johnethon Aviles,&nbsp;</a>a junior from Paso Robles, California were pronounced dead at the scene. They were tranported to&nbsp;Yazel-Megli Funeral Home.

EMS transported Medina to Wesley Medical Center. All three were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

MARION COUNTY—The Tabor College college community is mouring the death of students <a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/9496.php">Christopher Castillo,</a> a senior from San Juan Capistrano, Califoria and<a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/10023.php"> Johnethon Aviles, </a>a junior from Paso Robles, Califorina.

The students were involved in a Sunday car accident south of Hillsboro and near Indigo Road and 130th, according to the school's web site.

A third passenger,<a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/10030.php"> Jonathan Medina</a>, a freshman from Riverside, California, was transported to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita for treatment of injuries from the accident.

“The Tabor College community is devastated by the tragic loss of Christopher Castillo, Johnethon Aviles, and of the significant injuries sustained by Jonathan Medina,” President David Janzen said. “We extend our prayers to the Castillo, Aviles and Medina families, asking for comfort, peace, and God’s presence during this unimaginable time.”

The Kansas Highway Patrol and local law enforcement have not released details on what caused the crash.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646046476459.png" alt="Christopher Castillo and Johnethon Aviles -photo courtesy Tabor College" />
 <figcaption>Christopher Castillo and Johnethon Aviles -photo courtesy Tabor College</figcaption>
 </figure>MARION COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating an accident that occurred just before 4a.m. Sunday in Marion County released additional details Monday.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eFfBQszUWVc?start=1378" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Toyota 4-Runner driven by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/10030.php">Jonathan Medina</a>, 19, Lyons, was northbound on Indigo Road at 130th.At the county correction line, the Toyota traveled off the embankment and rolled.Two passengers, also member of of the Tabor College Football team identified as 22-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/9496.php">Christopher Castillo,</a>&nbsp;a senior from San Juan Capistrano, Califoria and 23-year-old<a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/10023.php">&nbsp;Johnethon Aviles,&nbsp;</a>a junior from Paso Robles, California were pronounced dead at the scene. They were tranported to&nbsp;Yazel-Megli Funeral Home.EMS transported Medina to Wesley Medical Center. All three were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.--------MARION COUNTY—The Tabor College college community is mouring the death of students <a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/9496.php">Christopher Castillo,</a> a senior from San Juan Capistrano, Califoria and<a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/10023.php"> Johnethon Aviles, </a>a junior from Paso Robles, Califorina. The students were involved in a Sunday car accident south of Hillsboro and near Indigo Road and 130th, according to the school's web site.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646046613824.png" alt="Jonathan Medina-photo courtesy Tabor College" />
 <figcaption>Jonathan Medina-photo courtesy Tabor College</figcaption>
 </figure>A third passenger,<a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/19/2/10030.php"> Jonathan Medina</a>, a freshman from Riverside, California, was transported to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita for treatment of injuries from the accident.“The Tabor College community is devastated by the tragic loss of Christopher Castillo, Johnethon Aviles, and of the significant injuries sustained by Jonathan Medina,” President David Janzen said. “We extend our prayers to the Castillo, Aviles and Medina families, asking for comfort, peace, and God’s presence during this unimaginable time.”The Kansas Highway Patrol and local law enforcement have not released details on what caused the crash.

KHP updates details of crash that killed 2 Tabor College football players

Friday marked a critical deadline known as “turnaround,” marking the official halfway point for the 2022 Legislative session. It was a busy week for the Senate, as we spent two full days debating and voting on and passing out over 30 bills ahead of the Turnaround deadline. After being on the floor all day Tuesday and Wednesday, the Legislature will break until March 1st to give clerical staff time to process the significant amount of paperwork resulting from this week. By “turnaround,” a bill, with few exceptions, must have passed its Chamber of origin in order to be considered by the other Chamber before session is over for the year. When the Senate returns on Tuesday, the legislature is scheduled to meet for another month before our April recess. We would then return for a brief period to consider any vetoes prior to final adjournment. The focus for the next month will be to consider bills passed by the House Chamber and bills exempt from the Turnaround deadline. Under legislative rules, most bills must be adopted by one chamber in order to be considered by the other chamber. The major items we must complete prior to adjournment are passing the budget as well as adoption of maps for the Kansas Legislature.

February 21st-23rd <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb421/">SB 421</a> legislation that would transfer $253.9 million from the State General Fund (SGF) directly to the Kansas Public Employees System (KPERS) Trust Fund to pay off outstanding accounts. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb443/">SB 443</a> which would appropriate $332.2 million from the State General Fund (SGF) to the Department of Administration in FY 2022 to pay off the remaining balance of two series of callable bonds ahead of the final maturity dates in FY 2035. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb368/">SB 368</a> which would amend the definition of “sexually violent crime” in the Kansas Offender Registration Act (KORA) to include the crimes of internet trading in child pornography and aggravated internet trading in child pornography. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb385/">SB 385</a> would amend the definition of “sex offender” in the Kansas Offender Registration Act to include any person who is convicted of breach of privacy by: Installing or using a concealed camcorder, motion picture camera, or photographic camera of any type to secretly videotape, film, photograph, or record, by electronic or other means. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb395/">SB 395</a> would prohibit KDWP employees who are authorized to enforce the laws of the State from conducting surveillance on private property unless authorized pursuant to a lawfully-issued warrant, court order, or subpoena, the U.S. Constitution, or an exception to the search warrant requirement. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb366/">SB 366 </a>would amend the definition of the crime of burglary by expanding the locations in which a person may not, without authority, enter or remain within any locked or secured portion of any dwelling or building. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb408/">SB 408</a> would amend the definition of the crime of theft to make theft of property that is mail of the value of less than $1,500 from three separate locations within a period of 72 hours. This bill is directed at “porch pirates” – stolen boxes delivered to your home. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb382/">SB 382</a> would amend the Real Estate Brokers’ and Salespersons’ License Act by requiring individuals and organizations dealing in assignable contracts for the purchase, sale, or option on real estate to be licensed by the Kansas Real Estate Commission. The Commission would also be authorized to issue cease and desist orders. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb150/">SB 150</a> addresses this by preserving free speech while defining and prohibiting certain deceptive lawsuit advertising practices and restricting the use or disclosure of protected health information to solicit individuals for legal services. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb493/">SB 493</a> which would prohibit municipalities from adopting or enforcing an ordinance, resolution, or regulation that restricts, taxes, prohibits, or regulates the use of auxiliary containers. The bill would define “auxiliary container” as a bag, cup, package, container, bottle, device, or other packaging. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb161/">SB 161</a> authorizes personal delivery devices to operate on any sidewalk, crosswalk, or public highway of any municipality. Operation on highways would be limited to gaining or regaining access to a sidewalk or crosswalk. SB 441 addresses when an accident occurs at a biological laboratory by enacting the Biological Laboratory Accident Transparency Act. The bill would require institutions and organizations to publicly report, in a summary format, any laboratory accident or near-miss event that occurs in any high-risk biological laboratory. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb446/">SB 446</a> would designate each of three bridges in Cherokee County as Veterans Memorial Bridges. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb451/">SB 451</a> would remove a requirement for which a Kansas resident must provide satisfactory proof that the person is at least 1/16 Indian by blood for purposes of receiving a free, permanent license to hunt, fish, and fur harvest. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb336/">SB 336</a> would amend certain investment limitation requirements to increase the permissible investment options in equity interests and preferred stock for Kansas-domiciled life insurance companies. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb348/">SB 348 </a>would exempt threading from the definition of cosmetology in law related to the licensure of cosmetologists. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb367/">SB 367</a> would require officers to file copies of receipts with the court when property is seized under a search warrant and providing requirements and procedures for destruction or disposition of dangerous drugs and return or disposition of weapons. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb373/">SB 373</a> would appropriate $500,000 from the State General Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2022, to the University of Kansas Medical Center for use at the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb399/">SB 399</a> would amend the Health Care Provider Insurance Availability Act by adding maternity center to the definition of a health care provider. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb400/">Sub for SB 400</a> would amend the Kansas Uniform Trust Code to add to the list of trust matters that could be resolved by a nonjudicial settlement agreement, to increase the limit on the total value of a trust before a trustee could seek to terminate such trust as being non-economic, and to amend the definition of a “resident trust.” <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb405/">SB 405</a> would authorize and direct Kansas Historical Society (KSHS) to convey by quitclaim deed, a 0.52-acre parcel of land in Johnson County to the Shawnee Tribe. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb417/">SB 417</a> would establish new permit renewal fee limitations for solid waste disposal areas and solid waste processing facilities that are regulated by the federal standards for the disposal of coal combustion residuals. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb419/">SB 419</a> would allow the Secretary of Corrections, with the consent of the Director of Police Training of the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) to designate an employee of KDOC to attend KLETC. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb425/">SB 425 </a>would amend a law governing access, exchange, and disclosure of information in the Revised Kansas Code for Care of Children to require the Secretary for Children and Families to disclose confidential agency records to the law enforcement agency investigating the alleged or substantiated report or investigation of abuse or neglect. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb434/">SB 434</a> would amend a statute in the Kansas Open Records Act governing procedures for obtaining access to public records to require requests for records that contain captured license plate data. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb435/">SB 435</a> would expand law enforcement officers' jurisdiction to include situations when an illegal act is observed that the officer reasonably believes will jeopardize the safety of any person without immediate action. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb440/">SB 440</a> would authorize occupational therapists to provide limited services to patients without referral from a health care provider and amend the Occupational Therapy Practice Act. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb448/">SB 448</a> would amend the state Unfair Trade Practice Law to exempt additional practices from those practices considered to be unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the business of insurance that relate to unfair discrimination and rebates. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb450/">Sub for SB 450</a> would enact law and amend law relating to the sale of certain state real property, particularly in the area of state educational institutions under the Kansas Board of Regents and the disposition of proceeds from the sale of surplus real estate of state agencies. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb453/">SB 453</a> would amend statute concerning training for certified aides to work in adult care homes to allow licensed practical nurses to teach certain training courses. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb313/">SB 313</a> designates a portion of U.S. Highway 69 as the Senator Tom R. Van Sickle Memorial Highway. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb483/">SB 483</a> would increase criminal penalties for theft and criminal damage to property involving remote service units such as automated cash dispensing machines and automated teller machines. SB 215 would transfer the authority for postsecondary driver's education programs and driver training schools from the State Board of Regents to the Department of Revenue. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb457/">SB 457</a> would require a waiver of extradition proceedings as a condition of bond. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb141/">SB 141</a> would enact the Kansas Uniform Directed Trust Act (UDTA) to allow for the creation of directed trusts and amend provisions in the Kansas Uniform Trust Code (UTC) to reflect the enactment of the UDTA. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb362/">SB 362</a> would require local school boards to annually review state academic assessments and utilize such assessments and the school district’s building needs assessment when reviewing and approving the school district’s budget. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb34/">Sub for SB 34</a> promotes the principle of limited government by requiring all rules and regulations adopted under the Rules and Regulations Filing Act to be reviewed by agencies every five years, would establish reporting requirements for agencies.

A full description of each bill can be found at <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a> as well as the Final Action vote on each measure.

The State of Kansas has over $400 million dollars in unclaimed property waiting for the rightful owner to find and claim. These holdings at the Treasurer’s office include bank accounts, cash, stocks, bonds, refunds (utilities), royalties, insurance proceeds and even safe deposit box contents. To search for your name, visit <a href="https://www.kansasstatetreasurer.com/up_search.php">www.kansasstatetreasurer.com</a> and enter your name or business name to see if your name is on this list. Senate District #36 has over 1,000 entries in the 13 counties it covers. If you would like more personal assistance, call 800-432-0386 or 785-296-4165.

Thank you for all of your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. I always encourage you to stay informed of the issues under consideration by the Kansas Legislature. 

Committee schedules, bills, and other helpful information can be easily accessed through the legislature’s website at <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>. For those who want to pursue a more in-depth analysis of bills, go to and pull up “Bills &amp; Laws,” then “Senate Bills,” before scrolling to the desired number and hitting “SN” (Supplemental Notes) for a general explanation which is written by the Legislative research and reviser staff. You are also able to ‘listen in live’ at this website.

Senator Elaine Bowers Kansas State Capitol Building Room 223-E 300 SW 10th St. <a href="mailto:elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov" target="_blank">elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov</a> 785-296-7389 <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>

Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, is senator of the 36th District in Kansas which includes:

* Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Republic, Rooks, Russell,&nbsp;Smith and Washington Counties * Marshall County: Cities: Blue Rapids, Marysville, Oketo and Waterville;&nbsp;Townships: Blue Rapids, Blue Rapids City, Cottage Hill, Elm Creek,&nbsp;Herkimer, Logan, Marysville, Oketo, Walnut and Waterville * Phillips County: Cities: Agra, Glade, Kirwin and Phillipsburg;&nbsp;Townships: Arcade, Bow Creek, Crystal Deer Creek, Freedom,&nbsp;Glenwood, Greenwood, Kirwin, Phillipsburg, Plum,&nbsp;Rushville, Solomon(part), Sumner,&nbsp;Valley and Walnut

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644853578448.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, 36th Dist." />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, 36th Dist.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA Feb. 28, 2022 SENATE HIGHLIGHTSFriday marked a critical deadline known as “turnaround,” marking the official halfway point for the 2022 Legislative session. It was a busy week for the Senate, as we spent two full days debating and voting on and passing out over 30 bills ahead of the Turnaround deadline. After being on the floor all day Tuesday and Wednesday, the Legislature will break until March 1st to give clerical staff time to process the significant amount of paperwork resulting from this week. By “turnaround,” a bill, with few exceptions, must have passed its Chamber of origin in order to be considered by the other Chamber before session is over for the year. When the Senate returns on Tuesday, the legislature is scheduled to meet for another month before our April recess. We would then return for a brief period to consider any vetoes prior to final adjournment. The focus for the next month will be to consider bills passed by the House Chamber and bills exempt from the Turnaround deadline. Under legislative rules, most bills must be adopted by one chamber in order to be considered by the other chamber. The major items we must complete prior to adjournment are passing the budget as well as adoption of maps for the Kansas Legislature.FLOOR ACTION LAST WEEKFebruary 21st-23rd <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb421/">SB 421</a> legislation that would transfer $253.9 million from the State General Fund (SGF) directly to the Kansas Public Employees System (KPERS) Trust Fund to pay off outstanding accounts. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb443/">SB 443</a> which would appropriate $332.2 million from the State General Fund (SGF) to the Department of Administration in FY 2022 to pay off the remaining balance of two series of callable bonds ahead of the final maturity dates in FY 2035. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb368/">SB 368</a> which would amend the definition of “sexually violent crime” in the Kansas Offender Registration Act (KORA) to include the crimes of internet trading in child pornography and aggravated internet trading in child pornography. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb385/">SB 385</a> would amend the definition of “sex offender” in the Kansas Offender Registration Act to include any person who is convicted of breach of privacy by: Installing or using a concealed camcorder, motion picture camera, or photographic camera of any type to secretly videotape, film, photograph, or record, by electronic or other means. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb395/">SB 395</a> would prohibit KDWP employees who are authorized to enforce the laws of the State from conducting surveillance on private property unless authorized pursuant to a lawfully-issued warrant, court order, or subpoena, the U.S. Constitution, or an exception to the search warrant requirement. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb366/">SB 366 </a>would amend the definition of the crime of burglary by expanding the locations in which a person may not, without authority, enter or remain within any locked or secured portion of any dwelling or building. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb408/">SB 408</a> would amend the definition of the crime of theft to make theft of property that is mail of the value of less than $1,500 from three separate locations within a period of 72 hours. This bill is directed at “porch pirates” – stolen boxes delivered to your home. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb382/">SB 382</a> would amend the Real Estate Brokers’ and Salespersons’ License Act by requiring individuals and organizations dealing in assignable contracts for the purchase, sale, or option on real estate to be licensed by the Kansas Real Estate Commission. The Commission would also be authorized to issue cease and desist orders. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb150/">SB 150</a> addresses this by preserving free speech while defining and prohibiting certain deceptive lawsuit advertising practices and restricting the use or disclosure of protected health information to solicit individuals for legal services. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb493/">SB 493</a> which would prohibit municipalities from adopting or enforcing an ordinance, resolution, or regulation that restricts, taxes, prohibits, or regulates the use of auxiliary containers. The bill would define “auxiliary container” as a bag, cup, package, container, bottle, device, or other packaging. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb161/">SB 161</a> authorizes personal delivery devices to operate on any sidewalk, crosswalk, or public highway of any municipality. Operation on highways would be limited to gaining or regaining access to a sidewalk or crosswalk. SB 441 addresses when an accident occurs at a biological laboratory by enacting the Biological Laboratory Accident Transparency Act. The bill would require institutions and organizations to publicly report, in a summary format, any laboratory accident or near-miss event that occurs in any high-risk biological laboratory. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb446/">SB 446</a> would designate each of three bridges in Cherokee County as Veterans Memorial Bridges. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb451/">SB 451</a> would remove a requirement for which a Kansas resident must provide satisfactory proof that the person is at least 1/16 Indian by blood for purposes of receiving a free, permanent license to hunt, fish, and fur harvest. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb336/">SB 336</a> would amend certain investment limitation requirements to increase the permissible investment options in equity interests and preferred stock for Kansas-domiciled life insurance companies. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb348/">SB 348 </a>would exempt threading from the definition of cosmetology in law related to the licensure of cosmetologists. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb367/">SB 367</a> would require officers to file copies of receipts with the court when property is seized under a search warrant and providing requirements and procedures for destruction or disposition of dangerous drugs and return or disposition of weapons. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb373/">SB 373</a> would appropriate $500,000 from the State General Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2022, to the University of Kansas Medical Center for use at the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb399/">SB 399</a> would amend the Health Care Provider Insurance Availability Act by adding maternity center to the definition of a health care provider. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb400/">Sub for SB 400</a> would amend the Kansas Uniform Trust Code to add to the list of trust matters that could be resolved by a nonjudicial settlement agreement, to increase the limit on the total value of a trust before a trustee could seek to terminate such trust as being non-economic, and to amend the definition of a “resident trust.” <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb405/">SB 405</a> would authorize and direct Kansas Historical Society (KSHS) to convey by quitclaim deed, a 0.52-acre parcel of land in Johnson County to the Shawnee Tribe. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb417/">SB 417</a> would establish new permit renewal fee limitations for solid waste disposal areas and solid waste processing facilities that are regulated by the federal standards for the disposal of coal combustion residuals. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb419/">SB 419</a> would allow the Secretary of Corrections, with the consent of the Director of Police Training of the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) to designate an employee of KDOC to attend KLETC. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb425/">SB 425 </a>would amend a law governing access, exchange, and disclosure of information in the Revised Kansas Code for Care of Children to require the Secretary for Children and Families to disclose confidential agency records to the law enforcement agency investigating the alleged or substantiated report or investigation of abuse or neglect. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb434/">SB 434</a> would amend a statute in the Kansas Open Records Act governing procedures for obtaining access to public records to require requests for records that contain captured license plate data. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb435/">SB 435</a> would expand law enforcement officers' jurisdiction to include situations when an illegal act is observed that the officer reasonably believes will jeopardize the safety of any person without immediate action. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb440/">SB 440</a> would authorize occupational therapists to provide limited services to patients without referral from a health care provider and amend the Occupational Therapy Practice Act. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb448/">SB 448</a> would amend the state Unfair Trade Practice Law to exempt additional practices from those practices considered to be unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the business of insurance that relate to unfair discrimination and rebates. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb450/">Sub for SB 450</a> would enact law and amend law relating to the sale of certain state real property, particularly in the area of state educational institutions under the Kansas Board of Regents and the disposition of proceeds from the sale of surplus real estate of state agencies. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb453/">SB 453</a> would amend statute concerning training for certified aides to work in adult care homes to allow licensed practical nurses to teach certain training courses. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb313/">SB 313</a> designates a portion of U.S. Highway 69 as the Senator Tom R. Van Sickle Memorial Highway. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb483/">SB 483</a> would increase criminal penalties for theft and criminal damage to property involving remote service units such as automated cash dispensing machines and automated teller machines. SB 215 would transfer the authority for postsecondary driver's education programs and driver training schools from the State Board of Regents to the Department of Revenue. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb457/">SB 457</a> would require a waiver of extradition proceedings as a condition of bond. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb141/">SB 141</a> would enact the Kansas Uniform Directed Trust Act (UDTA) to allow for the creation of directed trusts and amend provisions in the Kansas Uniform Trust Code (UTC) to reflect the enactment of the UDTA. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb362/">SB 362</a> would require local school boards to annually review state academic assessments and utilize such assessments and the school district’s building needs assessment when reviewing and approving the school district’s budget. <a href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb34/">Sub for SB 34</a> promotes the principle of limited government by requiring all rules and regulations adopted under the Rules and Regulations Filing Act to be reviewed by agencies every five years, would establish reporting requirements for agencies.A full description of each bill can be found at <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a> as well as the Final Action vote on each measure.UNCLAIMED PROPERTY IN KANSASThe State of Kansas has over $400 million dollars in unclaimed property waiting for the rightful owner to find and claim. These holdings at the Treasurer’s office include bank accounts, cash, stocks, bonds, refunds (utilities), royalties, insurance proceeds and even safe deposit box contents. To search for your name, visit <a href="https://www.kansasstatetreasurer.com/up_search.php">www.kansasstatetreasurer.com</a> and enter your name or business name to see if your name is on this list. Senate District #36 has over 1,000 entries in the 13 counties it covers. If you would like more personal assistance, call 800-432-0386 or 785-296-4165.THANK YOU FOR ENGAGINGThank you for all of your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. I always encourage you to stay informed of the issues under consideration by the Kansas Legislature. Committee schedules, bills, and other helpful information can be easily accessed through the legislature’s website at <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>. For those who want to pursue a more in-depth analysis of bills, go to and pull up “Bills &amp; Laws,” then “Senate Bills,” before scrolling to the desired number and hitting “SN” (Supplemental Notes) for a general explanation which is written by the Legislative research and reviser staff. You are also able to ‘listen in live’ at this website.Thank you for the honor of serving you!Senator Elaine Bowers Kansas State Capitol Building Room 223-E 300 SW 10th St. <a href="mailto:elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov" target="_blank">elaine.bowers@senate.ks.gov</a> 785-296-7389 <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/">www.kslegislature.org</a>Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia, is senator of the 36th District in Kansas which includes:* Cloud, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, Ottawa, Republic, Rooks, Russell,&nbsp;Smith and Washington Counties * Marshall County: Cities: Blue Rapids, Marysville, Oketo and Waterville;&nbsp;Townships: Blue Rapids, Blue Rapids City, Cottage Hill, Elm Creek,&nbsp;Herkimer, Logan, Marysville, Oketo, Walnut and Waterville * Phillips County: Cities: Agra, Glade, Kirwin and Phillipsburg;&nbsp;Townships: Arcade, Bow Creek, Crystal Deer Creek, Freedom,&nbsp;Glenwood, Greenwood, Kirwin, Phillipsburg, Plum,&nbsp;Rushville, Solomon(part), Sumner,&nbsp;Valley and Walnut

BOWERS: Senate Scene Week Seven

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A preliminary hearing is set for April 7th for the man arrested in connection with the abduction and shooting in Reno and Sedgwick County July 19.

Kamden Campos is facing 12 counts including six counts of attempted first degree murder one count of kidnapping, three counts of aggravated battery and two counts of criminal threat.&nbsp;

The six counts of attempted murder and the single kidnapping carry sentences of up to 55 years in prison if Campos is convicted.&nbsp;

Campos was arrested after allegedly abducting a woman and her family in Wichita. They drove out to Cheney Lake. When the woman tried to escape in a vehicle Campos allegedly shot at the vehicle hitting a 2-year-old girl.&nbsp;

The woman drove into Sedgwick County where she called 911. The child was taken to Wesley Medical Center where she underwent surgery and has recovered.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1646063022103.jpeg" alt="Campos-photo Hutchison Police" />
 <figcaption>Campos-photo Hutchison Police</figcaption>
 </figure>By ROD ZOOK Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — A preliminary hearing is set for April 7th for the man arrested in connection with the abduction and shooting in Reno and Sedgwick County July 19.Kamden Campos is facing 12 counts including six counts of attempted first degree murder one count of kidnapping, three counts of aggravated battery and two counts of criminal threat.&nbsp;The six counts of attempted murder and the single kidnapping carry sentences of up to 55 years in prison if Campos is convicted.&nbsp;Campos was arrested after allegedly abducting a woman and her family in Wichita. They drove out to Cheney Lake. When the woman tried to escape in a vehicle Campos allegedly shot at the vehicle hitting a 2-year-old girl.&nbsp;The woman drove into Sedgwick County where she called 911. The child was taken to Wesley Medical Center where she underwent surgery and has recovered.

Preliminary hearing set for abduction, shooting of Kan. toddler 

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A judge has cleared the way for newspaper 
publisher Lee Enterprises to use a voting system that will ensure two 
longtime directors are re-elected at next month’s annual meeting despite
 the objections of a hedge fund that is trying to buy the company. 

The Davenport, Iowa-based publisher said the Delaware judge threw out Alden Global Capital’s latest lawsuit Friday. 

The
 publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Buffalo News, Lincoln Journal
 Star and dozens of other newspapers rejected Alden’s $141 million 
takeover offer in December because Lee said it “grossly undervalued” the
 company. 

The New York-based hedge fund has a reputation for imposing severe cuts and layoffs at the more than 200 newspapers it owns.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A judge has cleared the way for newspaper 
publisher Lee Enterprises to use a voting system that will ensure two 
longtime directors are re-elected at next month’s annual meeting despite
 the objections of a hedge fund that is trying to buy the company. The Davenport, Iowa-based publisher said the Delaware judge threw out Alden Global Capital’s latest lawsuit Friday. The
 publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Buffalo News, Lincoln Journal
 Star and dozens of other newspapers rejected Alden’s $141 million 
takeover offer in December because Lee said it “grossly undervalued” the
 company. The New York-based hedge fund has a reputation for imposing severe cuts and layoffs at the more than 200 newspapers it owns.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

Hedge fund loses lawsuit in Lee Enterprises takeover fight

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly half of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-government-at-home-covid-tests-e98c4a7a4ee340345a5786c4c407c5fb">the 500 million free COVID-19 tests</a>&nbsp;the Biden administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/01/14/fact-sheet-the-biden-administration-to-begin-distributing-at-home-rapid-covid-19-tests-to-americans-for-free/" target="_blank">recently made available to the public&nbsp;</a>still have not been claimed as virus cases plummet and people feel less urgency to test.

Wild demand swings have been a subplot in the pandemic, from vaccines to hand sanitizer, along with tests. On the first day of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-to-get-usps-government-covid-tests-64a4e2cc86c501187a5bb401c1552188">White House test giveaway</a>&nbsp;in January,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.covidtests.gov/" target="_blank">COVIDtests.gov</a>&nbsp;received over 45 million orders. Now officials say fewer than 100,000 orders a day are coming in for the packages of four free rapid tests per household, delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.

Still, the White House sees the program as a step toward a deeper, yet more elastic, testing infrastructure that will accommodate demand surges and remain on standby when cases wane. “We totally intend to sustain this market,” Dr. Tom Inglesby, testing adviser to the COVID-19 response team, told The Associated Press. “We know the market is volatile and will come up and down with surges in variants.”

The White House says Americans have placed 68 million orders for packages of tests, which leaves about 46% of the stock of tests still available to be ordered.

Testing will become more important with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-87d7bdc811ba6521e32017072d5ea180">mask requirements now easing</a>, say some independent experts. “If infection control is still our priority, testing is central,” said Dr. Leana Wen, a former Baltimore health commissioner and commentator on the pandemic. “Four tests per household for one family will only last you one time. There should be enough tests for families to test twice a week.”

Inglesby maintains that the pieces are falling into place to accommodate that.

Private insurers are now required to cover eight free rapid tests per person, per month. Medicare coverage will start in the spring. The administration has also been making free at-home tests available through libraries, clinics and other community venues. Capacity for the more accurate PCR tests performed by labs has been built up. The White House recently put out a request to industry for ideas on how to sustain and expand domestic testing for the rest of this year.

Wen says people still need a guide for when to test and how often. “Right now it is still unclear,” she said.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-jen-psaki-08ee41d8e7c0af1ad8b4dfb7b434ea61">President Joe Biden’s pivot to testing came under duress</a>&nbsp;as the omicron variant gained force just before Christmas. Tests were frustratingly hard to come by, and expensive. The White House is sensitive to criticism that help may have come too late.

“There is no question some people found out they were positive from taking one of these tests and were able to keep other people from getting infected,” said Tim Manning, supply coordinator for the COVID-19 response team.

Around mid-December, with omicron projections grimmer by the day, White House officials began discussing how to make free tests available for anyone who wanted one. But if the government started siphoning up tests on the market, that would just make the shortage worse.

“A critical thing to us was that anything we did had to be done in a way did not create a shortage at retail to the general public,” Manning said.

The White House enlisted the Pentagon and parts of the Health and Human Services Department that had worked on the Trump administration’s vaccine development effort to distribute vaccines. Logistics experts scoured the globe for available tests. The Postal Service was designated to take the orders and deliver them.

That part proved to be a good call, said Hana Schank, an expert on government technology projects with the New America think-tank. The Postal Service already had a database of every address in the land, and the means to deliver.

“At the federal level the only people who have a database connected to a fulfillment engine would be the Post Office,” she said.

The project took less than a month to get ready, Manning said. “We said this is not online retail,” he said. “This is emergency response, so we have go to as fast as possible.”

To make sure it wasn’t just the tech savvy who would end up getting free tests, the administration targeted a share of deliveries to people in low-income areas. The White House worked with service organizations to get the word out.

“We prioritized the processing of orders to the highest social vulnerability zip codes in the country,” testing adviser Inglesby said.

One of the service groups was the National Association of Community Health Workers, whose members help people navigate the health care system. Executive director Denise Smith said the group was able to use its website to link more than 630,000 people to COVIDtests.gov.

Overall about 20% to 25% of the tests have gone to people in distressed areas, officials said.

Now that demand is way down, it’s unclear what will happen to the White House giveaway program. Allowing repeat orders is one possibility.

Smith says groups like hers should get any surplus. “We know where the people are,” she said.

Although the program is still in its infancy, analyst Lindsey Dawson of the Kaiser Family Foundation believes its legacy may lie in familiarizing more people with testing. “It may get someone comfortable with utilizing the tests, thinking about how they might use testing in their lives,” she said.

Savita Sharaf, a retiree from the Maryland suburbs outside the nation’s capital, said she ordered her free tests around the middle of January and got them in early February. She’s tried to conserve them, for added peace of mind. In the stores, she couldn’t find tests for less than $25.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642104330616.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly half of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-government-at-home-covid-tests-e98c4a7a4ee340345a5786c4c407c5fb">the 500 million free COVID-19 tests</a>&nbsp;the Biden administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/01/14/fact-sheet-the-biden-administration-to-begin-distributing-at-home-rapid-covid-19-tests-to-americans-for-free/" target="_blank">recently made available to the public&nbsp;</a>still have not been claimed as virus cases plummet and people feel less urgency to test.Wild demand swings have been a subplot in the pandemic, from vaccines to hand sanitizer, along with tests. On the first day of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-to-get-usps-government-covid-tests-64a4e2cc86c501187a5bb401c1552188">White House test giveaway</a>&nbsp;in January,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.covidtests.gov/" target="_blank">COVIDtests.gov</a>&nbsp;received over 45 million orders. Now officials say fewer than 100,000 orders a day are coming in for the packages of four free rapid tests per household, delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.Still, the White House sees the program as a step toward a deeper, yet more elastic, testing infrastructure that will accommodate demand surges and remain on standby when cases wane. “We totally intend to sustain this market,” Dr. Tom Inglesby, testing adviser to the COVID-19 response team, told The Associated Press. “We know the market is volatile and will come up and down with surges in variants.”The White House says Americans have placed 68 million orders for packages of tests, which leaves about 46% of the stock of tests still available to be ordered.Testing will become more important with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-87d7bdc811ba6521e32017072d5ea180">mask requirements now easing</a>, say some independent experts. “If infection control is still our priority, testing is central,” said Dr. Leana Wen, a former Baltimore health commissioner and commentator on the pandemic. “Four tests per household for one family will only last you one time. There should be enough tests for families to test twice a week.”Inglesby maintains that the pieces are falling into place to accommodate that.Private insurers are now required to cover eight free rapid tests per person, per month. Medicare coverage will start in the spring. The administration has also been making free at-home tests available through libraries, clinics and other community venues. Capacity for the more accurate PCR tests performed by labs has been built up. The White House recently put out a request to industry for ideas on how to sustain and expand domestic testing for the rest of this year.Wen says people still need a guide for when to test and how often. “Right now it is still unclear,” she said.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-jen-psaki-08ee41d8e7c0af1ad8b4dfb7b434ea61">President Joe Biden’s pivot to testing came under duress</a>&nbsp;as the omicron variant gained force just before Christmas. Tests were frustratingly hard to come by, and expensive. The White House is sensitive to criticism that help may have come too late.“There is no question some people found out they were positive from taking one of these tests and were able to keep other people from getting infected,” said Tim Manning, supply coordinator for the COVID-19 response team.Around mid-December, with omicron projections grimmer by the day, White House officials began discussing how to make free tests available for anyone who wanted one. But if the government started siphoning up tests on the market, that would just make the shortage worse.“A critical thing to us was that anything we did had to be done in a way did not create a shortage at retail to the general public,” Manning said.The White House enlisted the Pentagon and parts of the Health and Human Services Department that had worked on the Trump administration’s vaccine development effort to distribute vaccines. Logistics experts scoured the globe for available tests. The Postal Service was designated to take the orders and deliver them.That part proved to be a good call, said Hana Schank, an expert on government technology projects with the New America think-tank. The Postal Service already had a database of every address in the land, and the means to deliver.“At the federal level the only people who have a database connected to a fulfillment engine would be the Post Office,” she said.The project took less than a month to get ready, Manning said. “We said this is not online retail,” he said. “This is emergency response, so we have go to as fast as possible.”To make sure it wasn’t just the tech savvy who would end up getting free tests, the administration targeted a share of deliveries to people in low-income areas. The White House worked with service organizations to get the word out.“We prioritized the processing of orders to the highest social vulnerability zip codes in the country,” testing adviser Inglesby said.One of the service groups was the National Association of Community Health Workers, whose members help people navigate the health care system. Executive director Denise Smith said the group was able to use its website to link more than 630,000 people to COVIDtests.gov.Overall about 20% to 25% of the tests have gone to people in distressed areas, officials said.Now that demand is way down, it’s unclear what will happen to the White House giveaway program. Allowing repeat orders is one possibility.Smith says groups like hers should get any surplus. “We know where the people are,” she said.Although the program is still in its infancy, analyst Lindsey Dawson of the Kaiser Family Foundation believes its legacy may lie in familiarizing more people with testing. “It may get someone comfortable with utilizing the tests, thinking about how they might use testing in their lives,” she said.Savita Sharaf, a retiree from the Maryland suburbs outside the nation’s capital, said she ordered her free tests around the middle of January and got them in early February. She’s tried to conserve them, for added peace of mind. In the stores, she couldn’t find tests for less than $25.“I’m so relieved because I can immediately test myself,” Sharaf said. “If we had a high vaccination rate, it would be a little easier to say let up on this program. But I feel we have to watch for the next month or two, to see what happens.”