TOPEKA –Some members of the Kansas businesses community say&nbsp; COVID-19 legislation to protect workers from being fired for not getting vaccinated for religious or medical reasons could create&nbsp;unintended consequences.

According to a statement from the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, the Kansas business community expressed concerns about legislation introduced Tuesday by the Kansas Legislature’s Special Committee on Government Overreach and the Impact of COVID-19 Mandates.&nbsp;

On Thursday, Republican lawmakers succeeded in forcing a Thanksgiving-week special session of the Kansas legislature to consider financially protecting workers who refuse to comply with federal vaccine mandates.&nbsp;

There are GOP proposals to make it easier for workers to claim religious exemptions to vaccine mandates and to provide unemployment benefits to employees fired for not getting inoculated.

Kansas Chamber President and CEO Alan Cobb said the business community would welcome the opportunity to work with state lawmakers to fight the federal COVID-19 vaccination mandate but warned of unintended consequences of the potential legislation lawmakers will consider.

“Kansas businesses by and large do not want to mandate the COVID-19 vaccination because they know it will negatively impact their workforce and compound the lack of available workers even more,” said Cobb. “Kansas businesses from the beginning of the pandemic have led the way on determining how to keep their facilities and operations safe. They continue to be the best ones to decide whether a vaccine mandate or wearing face masks are the correct approaches for their companies.”

Cobb said also concerning is the potential impact the legislation could have on the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. Based on current vaccination rates in Kansas, the state could expect to pay out $606 million to $5.6 billion dollars in unemployment benefits to those who lose their jobs because they refuse to follow a federal government mandate or an employer’s human resources policy.

“Allowing unemployment benefits as the proposed legislation recommends could cause significant financial harm to the state’s UI trust fund, negatively impact its solvency, and lead to increased taxes on the Kansas businesses who are struggling to recover from the pandemic,” said Cobb.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601386295900.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA –Some members of the Kansas businesses community say&nbsp; COVID-19 legislation to protect workers from being fired for not getting vaccinated for religious or medical reasons could create&nbsp;unintended consequences.According to a statement from the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, the Kansas business community expressed concerns about legislation introduced Tuesday by the Kansas Legislature’s Special Committee on Government Overreach and the Impact of COVID-19 Mandates.&nbsp;On Thursday, Republican lawmakers succeeded in forcing a Thanksgiving-week special session of the Kansas legislature to consider financially protecting workers who refuse to comply with federal vaccine mandates.&nbsp;There are GOP proposals to make it easier for workers to claim religious exemptions to vaccine mandates and to provide unemployment benefits to employees fired for not getting inoculated.Kansas Chamber President and CEO Alan Cobb said the business community would welcome the opportunity to work with state lawmakers to fight the federal COVID-19 vaccination mandate but warned of unintended consequences of the potential legislation lawmakers will consider.“Kansas businesses by and large do not want to mandate the COVID-19 vaccination because they know it will negatively impact their workforce and compound the lack of available workers even more,” said Cobb. “Kansas businesses from the beginning of the pandemic have led the way on determining how to keep their facilities and operations safe. They continue to be the best ones to decide whether a vaccine mandate or wearing face masks are the correct approaches for their companies.”Cobb said also concerning is the potential impact the legislation could have on the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. Based on current vaccination rates in Kansas, the state could expect to pay out $606 million to $5.6 billion dollars in unemployment benefits to those who lose their jobs because they refuse to follow a federal government mandate or an employer’s human resources policy.“Allowing unemployment benefits as the proposed legislation recommends could cause significant financial harm to the state’s UI trust fund, negatively impact its solvency, and lead to increased taxes on the Kansas businesses who are struggling to recover from the pandemic,” said Cobb.

Unintended consequences in mandate protections for Kan. workers

BUTLER COUNTY —The family of a Kansas woman who died in a head-on crash Wednesday was the mother of four children, according to a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-sarahs-funeral-and-children">GoFundMe</a> page established by her sister.

Elizabeth Colling, 39, Potwin, died just before 7a.m. Wednesday when a 2006 Honda Pilot driven by Trella Marie Batten, 62, Whitewater, was westbound on Kansas 196 just east of Hillside Road passing two other vehicles.

The Honda struck an eastbound 2008 Hyundai Elantra driven by Colling head-on. After the crash, the Honda veered right and struck a westbound 2018 Freightliner semi driven by Joseph Leigh Maske, 43, Salina.&nbsp;

Debris from the head-on crash struck westbound 2016 Chevy driven by Gregg Edward Ewing, 47, Carterville, Missouri. The Hyundai veered right and rolled onto its top in the south ditch.

Colling was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp; Preferred Mortuary.&nbsp; EMS transported Batten to Wesley Medical Center. Maske and Ewing were not injured. The KHP had incomplete seat belt usage information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636665561941.png" alt="Colling was a single mother with four children; two girls ages 11 and 13, and two boys ages 15 and 18, all still in school-photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Colling was a single mother with four children; two girls ages 11 and 13, and two boys ages 15 and 18, all still in school-photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY —The family of a Kansas woman who died in a head-on crash Wednesday was the mother of four children, according to a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-sarahs-funeral-and-children">GoFundMe</a> page established by her sister.Elizabeth Colling, 39, Potwin, died just before 7a.m. Wednesday when a 2006 Honda Pilot driven by Trella Marie Batten, 62, Whitewater, was westbound on Kansas 196 just east of Hillside Road passing two other vehicles.The Honda struck an eastbound 2008 Hyundai Elantra driven by Colling head-on. After the crash, the Honda veered right and struck a westbound 2018 Freightliner semi driven by Joseph Leigh Maske, 43, Salina.&nbsp;Debris from the head-on crash struck westbound 2016 Chevy driven by Gregg Edward Ewing, 47, Carterville, Missouri. The Hyundai veered right and rolled onto its top in the south ditch.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636574315320.png" alt="photo courtesy KWCH&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy KWCH&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Colling was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp; Preferred Mortuary.&nbsp; EMS transported Batten to Wesley Medical Center. Maske and Ewing were not injured. The KHP had incomplete seat belt usage information.

Family: Kan. woman who died in head-on crash was mother of 4

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican lawmakers succeeded Thursday in forcing a Thanksgiving-week special session of the Kansas Legislature to consider financially protecting workers who refuse to comply with federal vaccine mandates.

GOP legislative leaders announced that all Republicans in both the House and the Senate have signed a petition demanding a special session starting Nov. 22. Governors call special sessions, but the Kansas Constitution requires them to do it if two-thirds of both chambers demand it — the GOP holds more than enough seats.

Republicans have been looking for ways for Kansas to resist vaccine mandates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-26bace6485d88ad1ae3ef2aea60fbb65">announced in September</a>&nbsp;by President Joe Biden that cover more than 100 million workers. Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-religion-legislature-2f5d833228a712538a1c55de34bc3b6e">has proposed measures</a>&nbsp;to make it easier for workers to claim religious exemptions to the mandates from their employers and to provide unemployment benefits to workers who are fired for not getting inoculated.

The full Legislature has been out of session since May and wasn’t scheduled to reconvene until January.

It’s the first time in Kansas history that lawmakers have forced a governor to call a special session. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-kansas-topeka-86d570bbf1eb4376a5e7b519c4cb4903">expressed opposition&nbsp;</a>to Biden’s vaccine mandates but was non-committal Wednesday about bringing lawmakers back to Topeka.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican lawmakers have succeeded in forcing a Thanksgiving-week special session of the Kansas Legislature to consider financially protecting workers who refuse to comply with federal vaccine mandates. GOP legislative leaders announced that all Republicans in both the House and the Senate have signed a petition demanding a special session starting Nov. 22.

"This unprecedented action is necessitated by equally unprecedented actions from the Biden administration that enacted these mandates unilaterally, without respecting the constitutional law making power reserved for Congress. Never before has the federal government forced Kansans to choose between their personal beliefs and their livelihoods, according to a statement from House Speaker Ron Ryckman (R-Olathe), House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins (R-Wichita) and Speaker Pro Tem Blaine Finch (R-Ottawa).

Governors call special sessions, but the Kansas Constitution requires them to do it if two-thirds of both chambers demand it — and the GOP holds more than enough seats. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610471713302.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican lawmakers succeeded Thursday in forcing a Thanksgiving-week special session of the Kansas Legislature to consider financially protecting workers who refuse to comply with federal vaccine mandates.GOP legislative leaders announced that all Republicans in both the House and the Senate have signed a petition demanding a special session starting Nov. 22. Governors call special sessions, but the Kansas Constitution requires them to do it if two-thirds of both chambers demand it — the GOP holds more than enough seats.Republicans have been looking for ways for Kansas to resist vaccine mandates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-26bace6485d88ad1ae3ef2aea60fbb65">announced in September</a>&nbsp;by President Joe Biden that cover more than 100 million workers. Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-religion-legislature-2f5d833228a712538a1c55de34bc3b6e">has proposed measures</a>&nbsp;to make it easier for workers to claim religious exemptions to the mandates from their employers and to provide unemployment benefits to workers who are fired for not getting inoculated.The full Legislature has been out of session since May and wasn’t scheduled to reconvene until January.It’s the first time in Kansas history that lawmakers have forced a governor to call a special session. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-kansas-topeka-86d570bbf1eb4376a5e7b519c4cb4903">expressed opposition&nbsp;</a>to Biden’s vaccine mandates but was non-committal Wednesday about bringing lawmakers back to Topeka.-----------TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican lawmakers have succeeded in forcing a Thanksgiving-week special session of the Kansas Legislature to consider financially protecting workers who refuse to comply with federal vaccine mandates. GOP legislative leaders announced that all Republicans in both the House and the Senate have signed a petition demanding a special session starting Nov. 22."This unprecedented action is necessitated by equally unprecedented actions from the Biden administration that enacted these mandates unilaterally, without respecting the constitutional law making power reserved for Congress. Never before has the federal government forced Kansans to choose between their personal beliefs and their livelihoods, according to a statement from House Speaker Ron Ryckman (R-Olathe), House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins (R-Wichita) and Speaker Pro Tem Blaine Finch (R-Ottawa).Governors call special sessions, but the Kansas Constitution requires them to do it if two-thirds of both chambers demand it — and the GOP holds more than enough seats. There are GOP proposals to make it easier for workers to claim religious exemptions to vaccine mandates and to provide unemployment benefits to employees fired for not getting inoculated.

GOP succeeds in forcing Kan. to have special session on mandates

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that the last quarter of 2021 is a good time to check withholding.

Life brings constant changes to individual financial situations. 
Events like marriage, divorce, a new child or home purchase can all be 
reasons to adjust withholding.

The convenient <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator">Tax Withholding Estimator</a>,
 also available in Spanish, will help taxpayers determine if they have 
too much withheld and how to make an adjustment to put more cash into 
their own pocket now. In other cases, it will help taxpayers see that 
they should withhold more or make an <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">estimated tax payment</a> to avoid a tax bill when they file their tax return next year.

Things to consider when adjusting withholding for 2021 are:

Taxes are generally <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-as-you-go-so-you-wont-owe-a-guide-to-withholding-estimated-taxes-and-ways-to-avoid-the-estimated-tax-penalty">paid throughout the year</a> whether from salary withholding, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estimated-taxes">quarterly estimated tax payments</a>
 or a combination of both. About 70% of taxpayers, however, over 
withhold their taxes every year, which typically results in a refund. 
The average refund in 2021 was more than $2,700.

Taxpayers can pay online, by phone or from the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go app</a>.
 They can schedule payments for future dates, which can be useful during
 filing season, for payment plan payments or for estimated tax payments.

Taxpayers can also log into their <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/view-your-tax-account">IRS.gov/account</a>
 to view the amount they owe, their payment plan details and options, 
their payment history (up to 5 years), any scheduled or pending 
payments, and key tax return information from their most recent tax 
return.

The IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator">Tax Withholding Estimator</a>
 makes it easier for everyone to have the right amount of tax withheld. 
This is especially important for anyone who faced an unexpected tax bill
 or a penalty when they filed this year, or whose jobs or tax 
circumstances have changed during the year.

The tool offers workers, as well as retirees, self-employed 
individuals and other taxpayers, a user-friendly, step-by-step tool for 
effectively tailoring the amount of income tax they have withheld from 
wages and pension payments.

For more information about taxes, estimated taxes and tax withholding, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/tax-withholding">Tax Withholding</a> at IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that the last quarter of 2021 is a good time to check withholding.Life brings constant changes to individual financial situations. 
Events like marriage, divorce, a new child or home purchase can all be 
reasons to adjust withholding.The convenient <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator">Tax Withholding Estimator</a>,
 also available in Spanish, will help taxpayers determine if they have 
too much withheld and how to make an adjustment to put more cash into 
their own pocket now. In other cases, it will help taxpayers see that 
they should withhold more or make an <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">estimated tax payment</a> to avoid a tax bill when they file their tax return next year.<h2>Items that may affect 2021 taxes</h2>Things to consider when adjusting withholding for 2021 are:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments">Coronavirus tax relief</a>
 – Tax help for taxpayers, businesses, tax-exempt organizations and 
others – including health plans – affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/disaster-assistance-and-emergency-relief-for-individuals-and-businesses">Disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes</a> –
 Special tax law provisions may help taxpayers and businesses recover 
financially from the impact of a disaster, especially when the federal 
government declares their location to be a major disaster area.</li><li>Job loss – <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p4128.pdf">IRS Publication 4128, Tax Impact of Job Loss</a>&nbsp;PDF, explains how this unfortunate circumstance can create new tax issues.</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/gig-economy-tax-center">Workers moving into the gig economy due to the pandemic</a>
 – IRS advises people earning income in the gig economy to consider 
estimated tax payments to avoid a balance or penalties when they file.</li><li><a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/a-tax-checklist-for-newly-married-couples">Life changes such as marriage or childbirth</a> – Getting married or having a child are just a couple of life events that can affect your refund or how much you owe.</li>
 </ul><h2>Pay as you go</h2>Taxes are generally <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-as-you-go-so-you-wont-owe-a-guide-to-withholding-estimated-taxes-and-ways-to-avoid-the-estimated-tax-penalty">paid throughout the year</a> whether from salary withholding, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estimated-taxes">quarterly estimated tax payments</a>
 or a combination of both. About 70% of taxpayers, however, over 
withhold their taxes every year, which typically results in a refund. 
The average refund in 2021 was more than $2,700.Taxpayers can pay online, by phone or from the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs2goapp">IRS2Go app</a>.
 They can schedule payments for future dates, which can be useful during
 filing season, for payment plan payments or for estimated tax payments.Taxpayers can also log into their <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/view-your-tax-account">IRS.gov/account</a>
 to view the amount they owe, their payment plan details and options, 
their payment history (up to 5 years), any scheduled or pending 
payments, and key tax return information from their most recent tax 
return.<h2>Tax Withholding Estimator</h2>The IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator">Tax Withholding Estimator</a>
 makes it easier for everyone to have the right amount of tax withheld. 
This is especially important for anyone who faced an unexpected tax bill
 or a penalty when they filed this year, or whose jobs or tax 
circumstances have changed during the year.The tool offers workers, as well as retirees, self-employed 
individuals and other taxpayers, a user-friendly, step-by-step tool for 
effectively tailoring the amount of income tax they have withheld from 
wages and pension payments.For more information about taxes, estimated taxes and tax withholding, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/tax-withholding">Tax Withholding</a> at IRS.gov.

Give tax withholding a fresh look as 2021 year-end nears

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—A Kansas woman died in an accident just before 5p.m. Thursday in Wyandotte County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Kia Forte driven by&nbsp; Shailee Y.&nbsp;Viramontes, 23, Leavenworth, was southbound on Interstate 435 at Wolcott. The vehicle traveled off the road and struck a pole.

Viramontes was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported a&nbsp; 3-year-old passenger&nbsp; Malachi M.&nbsp;Viramonte of Leavenworth to Children's Mercy. Both were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—A Kansas woman died in an accident just before 5p.m. Thursday in Wyandotte County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Kia Forte driven by&nbsp; Shailee Y.&nbsp;Viramontes, 23, Leavenworth, was southbound on Interstate 435 at Wolcott. The vehicle traveled off the road and struck a pole.Viramontes was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported a&nbsp; 3-year-old passenger&nbsp; Malachi M.&nbsp;Viramonte of Leavenworth to Children's Mercy. Both were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman dead, 3-year-old injured after car strikes a pole

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A jury recommended early Friday up to 28 years in prison for a Missouri man found guilty of second-degree murder in his wife's death.

The jury returned the recommendation only hours after Joseph Elledge was convicted late Thursday in the killing of 28-year-old Mengqi Ji, news outlets reported. Circuit Judge J. Hasbrouck Jacobs will make the final decision on the sentence at a December hearing but cannot sentence Elledge to more than 28 years.

Elledge had admitted during the trial to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-missouri-missouri-columbia-216284c1ec05a2c6f2f9df771075c428">burying his wife’s body</a>&nbsp;and misleading authorities for more than a year about Ji's whereabouts.

After deliberating for almost seven hours, a jury found Elledge guilty in the killing of Ji, whom he married after she moved to the U.S. from China to study at the University of Missouri.

Elledge reported Ji missing in October 2019, prompting months of extensive searches. Her remains were found in a park near Columbia, Missouri, in March.

Elledge was charged with first-degree murder, but Jacobs told jurors they could consider charges of second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter and first-degree or second-degree involuntary manslaughter. Elledge was acquitted of the first-degree murder charge.

First-degree murder requires the state to prove that Elledge killed Ji intentionally after deliberating about it, and Elledge’s intent was central to arguments throughout the trial.

Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Knight had asked for life in prison, while Elledge’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, asked for 10 years,&nbsp;<a href="https://abc17news.com/news/2021/11/11/jury-recommends-28-year-prison-sentence-for-joseph-elledge/">KMIZ-TV</a>&nbsp;reported.

The jury heard evidence from both sides before returning the recommended sentence, television stations KMIZ and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.komu.com/news/midmissourinews/joseph-elledge-sentenced-to-up-to-28-years-in-prison-following-second-degree-murder-conviction/article_33aada6e-3e52-11ec-8a78-d71ae1955859.html?utm_source=SocialNewsDesk&amp;utm_medium=twitter&amp;utm_campaign=SND_twitter">KOMU</a>&nbsp;reported.

An attorney for Ji's family told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/news/courts/2021/11/11/ury-agrees-second-degree-murder-conviction-joseph-elledge/6367072001/">the Columbia Daily Tribune</a>&nbsp;before the trial started that they didn't plan to provide a statement, but said on Wednesday they're pleased with Knight's efforts.

During closing arguments on Thursday, Knight told the jury that Elledge was a “stone cold killer” who was guilty of first-degree murder because he intentionally killed his wife.

Rosenblum argued that his client was awkward and made “unbelievably dumb” decisions after she died. But he said Elledge never intended to kill his wife and should never have been charged with murder.

During his trial,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-columbia-52ef87b9ad760f2385213c702a47fc67">Elledge said Ji’s death was accidental</a>. He said she fell and hit her head on Oct. 8, 2019, after he pushed her during an argument and he found her dead in bed the next morning. He said he panicked, put her body in the trunk of her car and did not report what happened while he tried to decide what to do.

He did not tell anyone, including Ji’s mother, about her disappearance.

On Oct. 10, with the couple’s young daughter in the car, Elledge drove to Rock Bridge State Park about 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of Columbia, where they lived. There, he dug a grave and buried Ji at a site a half-mile from where he proposed to her. He then returned home and reported her missing.

Prosecutors used social media posts, audio tapes and a journal Elledge kept to document the couple’s volatile relationship. The evidence showed them frequently yelling at each other and arguing, with Elledge often criticizing his wife for her appearance and for how she treated him.

Elledge said that in the days before her death, he discovered Ji had been exchanging sexually suggestive messages with a man from China via social media. He also testified that the couple’s relationship suffered because of tension caused by her parents who moved from China to live with them after their daughter was born on Oct. 3, 2018.

The couple met in 2015 at Nanova, a company that makes dental products, where Ji was Elledge’s supervisor. They began dating the following year and eventually traveled to China, where he asked Ji’s parents for permission to marry her. The couple married in 2017.

Ji earned a master’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Missouri in December 2014. Elledge was a student at the university when his wife died.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man has been found guilty of killing his wife, whose remains were not found for more than a year. A jury on Thursday convicted Joseph Elledge of second-degree murder in the October 2019 death of 28-year-old Mengqi Ji. 

Prosecutors presented tapes, a journal and social media posts that detailed the couple’s volatile relationship. Ji met Elledge after moving to the U.S. from China to study at the University of Missouri.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man accused of killing his wife and burying her body two years ago is a “stone cold killer," a prosecuting attorney said Thursday.

Boone County Prosecutor Dan Knight urged a jury during closing arguments in the trial of Joseph Elledge to find him guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his 28-year-old wife, Mengqi Ji.

Scott Rosenblum, Elledge's attorney, countered in his closing argument that Elledge was “awkward” and made “dumb decisions” but never intended to kill his wife.

"This case was never a murder case. Never," Rosenblum said, KOMU-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.komu.com/news/midmissourinews/the-murder-trial-of-joseph-elledge-jury-to-hear-closing-arguments/article_d09c7912-42fe-11ec-9783-b73c8f9378d3.html">reported</a>.

The couple married in 2017 after Ji had moved to the U.S. from China and earned a master's degree from the University of Missouri. The couple had a daughter who was 1 year old when Ji died.

Elledge is charged with first-degree murder, but Circuit Judge J. Hasbrouck Jacobs told jurors they could consider charges of second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, and first-degree or second-degree involuntary manslaughter.

First-degree murder requires the state to prove that Elledge killed Ji intentionally after deliberating about it, and Elledge's intent was central to arguments throughout the trial.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-missouri-missouri-columbia-216284c1ec05a2c6f2f9df771075c428">During his testimony</a>&nbsp;earlier this week, Elledge acknowledged that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-tigers-mens-basketball-columbia-0f341cef77aa806e3973186497383c9c">buried his wife's body&nbsp;</a>and lied about her whereabouts. But he insisted that she died accidentally after she fell and hit her head during an argument at their home in Columbia on Oct. 8, 2019.

He said the argument began after he confronted his wife about sexual messages he said she was exchanging with another man.

Elledge said he found her dead in bed the next morning and put her body in the trunk of a car because he panicked and couldn't decide what to do. He drove to several spots the next day but could not find a place to bury her, he said, and returned home. He did not tell anyone she was missing on Oct. 9.

On Oct 10, with the couple's daughter in the car, Elledge said he drove to a park near Columbia, dug a grave and buried Ji. He then returned home and reported her missing.

After extensive searches, Ji's remains were found in a park south of Columbia in March.

During his closing, Knight discussed about nine hours of audio recordings he played during the trial that included the couple arguing and Elledge frequently insulting or threatening his wife, and criticizing her for her appearance and how she treated him.

“The defendant in his very own voice told you what his intent was; he told you what he felt about Mengqi,” Knight said.

Knight also told the jury Elledge “is a huge liar.”

“He lied to the police. He lied to the media. He lied to (the jury),” Knight said. “Make no mistake, he’s a stone cold killer. Period.”

Rosenblum argued during the trial that the audio recordings were presented without context and did not show the full range of the couple's relationship.

In his closing argument, Rosenblum said if Elledge did not respond to his wife's death as jurors might have expected, it's because he is “as awkward as can be," not because he wasn't telling the truth.

“Was he making unbelievably dumb decisions? He was. But it was hard to turn back,” Rosenblum said.

In testimony on Wednesday, Keith Norton, a forensic pathologist at the Boone County Medical Examiner’s Office who performed Ji’s autopsy, said he could not determine an exact cause of death but it “was caused by another person.” He said he did not rule the death an accident.

Rosenblum argued during the trial that Ji died from a subdural hematoma, or bleeding in the brain, after she was pushed by Elledge in the couple’s kitchen and hit her head.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1572177968305.png" alt="Joseph Elledge photo Boone Co." />
 <figcaption>Joseph Elledge photo Boone Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A jury recommended early Friday up to 28 years in prison for a Missouri man found guilty of second-degree murder in his wife's death.The jury returned the recommendation only hours after Joseph Elledge was convicted late Thursday in the killing of 28-year-old Mengqi Ji, news outlets reported. Circuit Judge J. Hasbrouck Jacobs will make the final decision on the sentence at a December hearing but cannot sentence Elledge to more than 28 years.Elledge had admitted during the trial to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-missouri-missouri-columbia-216284c1ec05a2c6f2f9df771075c428">burying his wife’s body</a>&nbsp;and misleading authorities for more than a year about Ji's whereabouts.After deliberating for almost seven hours, a jury found Elledge guilty in the killing of Ji, whom he married after she moved to the U.S. from China to study at the University of Missouri.Elledge reported Ji missing in October 2019, prompting months of extensive searches. Her remains were found in a park near Columbia, Missouri, in March.Elledge was charged with first-degree murder, but Jacobs told jurors they could consider charges of second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter and first-degree or second-degree involuntary manslaughter. Elledge was acquitted of the first-degree murder charge.First-degree murder requires the state to prove that Elledge killed Ji intentionally after deliberating about it, and Elledge’s intent was central to arguments throughout the trial.Boone County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Knight had asked for life in prison, while Elledge’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, asked for 10 years,&nbsp;<a href="https://abc17news.com/news/2021/11/11/jury-recommends-28-year-prison-sentence-for-joseph-elledge/">KMIZ-TV</a>&nbsp;reported.The jury heard evidence from both sides before returning the recommended sentence, television stations KMIZ and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.komu.com/news/midmissourinews/joseph-elledge-sentenced-to-up-to-28-years-in-prison-following-second-degree-murder-conviction/article_33aada6e-3e52-11ec-8a78-d71ae1955859.html?utm_source=SocialNewsDesk&amp;utm_medium=twitter&amp;utm_campaign=SND_twitter">KOMU</a>&nbsp;reported.An attorney for Ji's family told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/news/courts/2021/11/11/ury-agrees-second-degree-murder-conviction-joseph-elledge/6367072001/">the Columbia Daily Tribune</a>&nbsp;before the trial started that they didn't plan to provide a statement, but said on Wednesday they're pleased with Knight's efforts.During closing arguments on Thursday, Knight told the jury that Elledge was a “stone cold killer” who was guilty of first-degree murder because he intentionally killed his wife.Rosenblum argued that his client was awkward and made “unbelievably dumb” decisions after she died. But he said Elledge never intended to kill his wife and should never have been charged with murder.During his trial,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-columbia-52ef87b9ad760f2385213c702a47fc67">Elledge said Ji’s death was accidental</a>. He said she fell and hit her head on Oct. 8, 2019, after he pushed her during an argument and he found her dead in bed the next morning. He said he panicked, put her body in the trunk of her car and did not report what happened while he tried to decide what to do.He did not tell anyone, including Ji’s mother, about her disappearance.On Oct. 10, with the couple’s young daughter in the car, Elledge drove to Rock Bridge State Park about 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of Columbia, where they lived. There, he dug a grave and buried Ji at a site a half-mile from where he proposed to her. He then returned home and reported her missing.Prosecutors used social media posts, audio tapes and a journal Elledge kept to document the couple’s volatile relationship. The evidence showed them frequently yelling at each other and arguing, with Elledge often criticizing his wife for her appearance and for how she treated him.Elledge said that in the days before her death, he discovered Ji had been exchanging sexually suggestive messages with a man from China via social media. He also testified that the couple’s relationship suffered because of tension caused by her parents who moved from China to live with them after their daughter was born on Oct. 3, 2018.The couple met in 2015 at Nanova, a company that makes dental products, where Ji was Elledge’s supervisor. They began dating the following year and eventually traveled to China, where he asked Ji’s parents for permission to marry her. The couple married in 2017.Ji earned a master’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Missouri in December 2014. Elledge was a student at the university when his wife died.-------COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man has been found guilty of killing his wife, whose remains were not found for more than a year. A jury on Thursday convicted Joseph Elledge of second-degree murder in the October 2019 death of 28-year-old Mengqi Ji. Prosecutors presented tapes, a journal and social media posts that detailed the couple’s volatile relationship. Ji met Elledge after moving to the U.S. from China to study at the University of Missouri.---------COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man accused of killing his wife and burying her body two years ago is a “stone cold killer," a prosecuting attorney said Thursday.Boone County Prosecutor Dan Knight urged a jury during closing arguments in the trial of Joseph Elledge to find him guilty of first-degree murder in the death of his 28-year-old wife, Mengqi Ji.Scott Rosenblum, Elledge's attorney, countered in his closing argument that Elledge was “awkward” and made “dumb decisions” but never intended to kill his wife."This case was never a murder case. Never," Rosenblum said, KOMU-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.komu.com/news/midmissourinews/the-murder-trial-of-joseph-elledge-jury-to-hear-closing-arguments/article_d09c7912-42fe-11ec-9783-b73c8f9378d3.html">reported</a>.The couple married in 2017 after Ji had moved to the U.S. from China and earned a master's degree from the University of Missouri. The couple had a daughter who was 1 year old when Ji died.Elledge is charged with first-degree murder, but Circuit Judge J. Hasbrouck Jacobs told jurors they could consider charges of second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, and first-degree or second-degree involuntary manslaughter.First-degree murder requires the state to prove that Elledge killed Ji intentionally after deliberating about it, and Elledge's intent was central to arguments throughout the trial.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/university-of-missouri-missouri-columbia-216284c1ec05a2c6f2f9df771075c428">During his testimony</a>&nbsp;earlier this week, Elledge acknowledged that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-tigers-mens-basketball-columbia-0f341cef77aa806e3973186497383c9c">buried his wife's body&nbsp;</a>and lied about her whereabouts. But he insisted that she died accidentally after she fell and hit her head during an argument at their home in Columbia on Oct. 8, 2019.He said the argument began after he confronted his wife about sexual messages he said she was exchanging with another man.Elledge said he found her dead in bed the next morning and put her body in the trunk of a car because he panicked and couldn't decide what to do. He drove to several spots the next day but could not find a place to bury her, he said, and returned home. He did not tell anyone she was missing on Oct. 9.On Oct 10, with the couple's daughter in the car, Elledge said he drove to a park near Columbia, dug a grave and buried Ji. He then returned home and reported her missing.After extensive searches, Ji's remains were found in a park south of Columbia in March.During his closing, Knight discussed about nine hours of audio recordings he played during the trial that included the couple arguing and Elledge frequently insulting or threatening his wife, and criticizing her for her appearance and how she treated him.“The defendant in his very own voice told you what his intent was; he told you what he felt about Mengqi,” Knight said.Knight also told the jury Elledge “is a huge liar.”“He lied to the police. He lied to the media. He lied to (the jury),” Knight said. “Make no mistake, he’s a stone cold killer. Period.”Rosenblum argued during the trial that the audio recordings were presented without context and did not show the full range of the couple's relationship.In his closing argument, Rosenblum said if Elledge did not respond to his wife's death as jurors might have expected, it's because he is “as awkward as can be," not because he wasn't telling the truth.“Was he making unbelievably dumb decisions? He was. But it was hard to turn back,” Rosenblum said.In testimony on Wednesday, Keith Norton, a forensic pathologist at the Boone County Medical Examiner’s Office who performed Ji’s autopsy, said he could not determine an exact cause of death but it “was caused by another person.” He said he did not rule the death an accident.Rosenblum argued during the trial that Ji died from a subdural hematoma, or bleeding in the brain, after she was pushed by Elledge in the couple’s kitchen and hit her head.

Jury: Man who buried wife's body convicted of her murder

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a registered Kansas sex offender on new charges.

Shortly after 10a.m. Wednesday, police investigated the theft of items, which included a carton of cigarettes, binoculars, a video game, and a leather cigarette case, from a parked truck in a parking lot in the 1900 block South U.S.73 Highway in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Police identified two suspects and located them in the area. They took 39-year-old Brett A. Johnson, Lansing, into custody and recovered all of the stolen items. Johnson is being held on requested charges of burglary and theft.

On Nov. 4, police arrested Johnson&nbsp;on a Kansas Department of Corrections detain order for parole violation, according to Wilson.

Johnson has three previous convictions for aggravated indecent liberties with a child. In addition, Johnson has eight previous convictions for theft and burglary and has convictions for aggravated battery, criminal restraint and criminal damage to property, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636036816185.png" alt="Johnson-photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Johnson-photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a registered Kansas sex offender on new charges.Shortly after 10a.m. Wednesday, police investigated the theft of items, which included a carton of cigarettes, binoculars, a video game, and a leather cigarette case, from a parked truck in a parking lot in the 1900 block South U.S.73 Highway in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.Police identified two suspects and located them in the area. They took 39-year-old Brett A. Johnson, Lansing, into custody and recovered all of the stolen items. Johnson is being held on requested charges of burglary and theft.On Nov. 4, police arrested Johnson&nbsp;on a Kansas Department of Corrections detain order for parole violation, according to Wilson.Johnson has three previous convictions for aggravated indecent liberties with a child. In addition, Johnson has eight previous convictions for theft and burglary and has convictions for aggravated battery, criminal restraint and criminal damage to property, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Police: Registered Kan. sex offender jailed for burglary, theft 

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The fate of a Kansas City man who has been in prison for more than 40 years for a triple murder that a prosecutor and many others believe he did not commit is now up to a judge.

An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-kansas-9674fc613175a2b1b7a2e8eefd6301f9">evidentiary hearing&nbsp;</a>to determine whether enough evidence exists to exonerate Kevin Strickland in the 1978 murders ended Wednesday. Judge James Welsh said he would consider additional paperwork and evidence from the attorneys and make a determination in a “timely fashion.”

Strickland told reporters after the hearing that he felt “really good” about his chances. “I’d say about 80%” chance of being exonerated, he said.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said in closing arguments Wednesday that Strickland was guilty of hanging out with the people who committed the murders but her review of the case convinced her Strickland’s conviction in 1979 was a horrible mistake, KSHB-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kevin-strickland-evidentiary-hearing-enters-3rd-day" target="_blank">reported</a>.

She also noted that Strickland had turned down several offers of plea deals, and risked being sentenced to death, because he refused to plead guilty to something he didn’t do.

“He turned down multiple deals, two important deals, in this case — and he bet his life on this system. He’s betting his life on this system, still,” she said.

An attorney for the Missouri attorney general’s office said suggestions that the only survivor of the killings had recanted her identification of Strickland as the shooter were only hearsay. Attorney Gregory Goodwin compared the argument to an REO Speedwagon song.

“Heard it from a friend who heard it from a friend who heard it from another... may have been good enough for REO Speedwagon, but it’s not good enough for a court of law,” Goodwin said.

Strickland, who is now 62, has always maintained he was home watching television on the night of April 25, 1978, when the shootings occurred. In testimony on Monday, he again&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-kansas-9674fc613175a2b1b7a2e8eefd6301f9">strongly denied</a>&nbsp;that he was involved in the killings.

“I had absolutely nothing to do with these murders. By no means was I anywhere close to that crime scene,” Strickland said.

Strickland, a Black man, was convicted in the deaths of Larry Ingram, 21; John Walker, 20; and Sherrie Black, 22, in Kansas City. His first trial ended in a hung jury when the only Black juror held out for acquittal. After his second trial in 1979, he was convicted by an all-white jury of one count of capital murder and two counts of second-degree murder.

Much of the testimony during this week’s hearing centered on Cynthia Douglas, who was shot along with the three victims but survived by pretending to be dead.

Douglas testified during Strickland’s trial that he was one of four men who committed the crime. But Douglas later realized she had identified the wrong man and spent years trying to get the attention of politicians and legal authorities to recant her statement, according to testimony from several relatives and friends.

Her mother, daughter, sister, ex-husband and a co-worker all testified that Douglas felt guilty and depressed about identifying Strickland for many years before she died in 2015.

Baker’s office said Douglas sent an email to the Midwest Innocence Project in 2009 with the subject line, “Wrongfully charged.”

“I am seeking info on how to help someone that was wrongfully accused,” the email stated. “I was the only eyewitness and things were not clear back then, but now I know more and would like to help this person if I can.”

Two other men convicted in the killings later insisted that Strickland wasn’t at the crime scene and named two other possible suspects who were never charged, The Kansas City Star reported.

Attorneys for the attorney general’s office tried to cast doubt on whether Douglas actually tried to recant her statement and suggested the email she sent to the Innocence Project could have been written by someone else using Douglas’ email.

Peters Baker announced in May that she and other legal and political leaders believed Strickland was wrongfully convicted. In August, she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-816410e8eab142331d08c9d750153d28">used a new state law</a>&nbsp;to seek the evidentiary hearing for Strickland.

The hearing was delayed for months as Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office filed several motions, including one that successfully led to all judges in the 16th Circuit Court in Jackson County being recused from presiding over the hearing because the circuit’s presiding judge said he agreed that Strickland should be exonerated.

Schmitt, a Republican running for the U.S. Senate,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michael-brown-b9748da3015f827cc009cc10cfb2478d">said Strickland was guilty</a>. Gov. Mike Parson also declined requests for clemency for Strickland.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620695920927.png" alt="Strickland photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Strickland photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — The fate of a Kansas City man who has been in prison for more than 40 years for a triple murder that a prosecutor and many others believe he did not commit is now up to a judge.An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-kansas-9674fc613175a2b1b7a2e8eefd6301f9">evidentiary hearing&nbsp;</a>to determine whether enough evidence exists to exonerate Kevin Strickland in the 1978 murders ended Wednesday. Judge James Welsh said he would consider additional paperwork and evidence from the attorneys and make a determination in a “timely fashion.”Strickland told reporters after the hearing that he felt “really good” about his chances. “I’d say about 80%” chance of being exonerated, he said.Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said in closing arguments Wednesday that Strickland was guilty of hanging out with the people who committed the murders but her review of the case convinced her Strickland’s conviction in 1979 was a horrible mistake, KSHB-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kevin-strickland-evidentiary-hearing-enters-3rd-day" target="_blank">reported</a>.She also noted that Strickland had turned down several offers of plea deals, and risked being sentenced to death, because he refused to plead guilty to something he didn’t do.“He turned down multiple deals, two important deals, in this case — and he bet his life on this system. He’s betting his life on this system, still,” she said.An attorney for the Missouri attorney general’s office said suggestions that the only survivor of the killings had recanted her identification of Strickland as the shooter were only hearsay. Attorney Gregory Goodwin compared the argument to an REO Speedwagon song.“Heard it from a friend who heard it from a friend who heard it from another... may have been good enough for REO Speedwagon, but it’s not good enough for a court of law,” Goodwin said.Strickland, who is now 62, has always maintained he was home watching television on the night of April 25, 1978, when the shootings occurred. In testimony on Monday, he again&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-kansas-9674fc613175a2b1b7a2e8eefd6301f9">strongly denied</a>&nbsp;that he was involved in the killings.“I had absolutely nothing to do with these murders. By no means was I anywhere close to that crime scene,” Strickland said.Strickland, a Black man, was convicted in the deaths of Larry Ingram, 21; John Walker, 20; and Sherrie Black, 22, in Kansas City. His first trial ended in a hung jury when the only Black juror held out for acquittal. After his second trial in 1979, he was convicted by an all-white jury of one count of capital murder and two counts of second-degree murder.Much of the testimony during this week’s hearing centered on Cynthia Douglas, who was shot along with the three victims but survived by pretending to be dead.Douglas testified during Strickland’s trial that he was one of four men who committed the crime. But Douglas later realized she had identified the wrong man and spent years trying to get the attention of politicians and legal authorities to recant her statement, according to testimony from several relatives and friends.Her mother, daughter, sister, ex-husband and a co-worker all testified that Douglas felt guilty and depressed about identifying Strickland for many years before she died in 2015.Baker’s office said Douglas sent an email to the Midwest Innocence Project in 2009 with the subject line, “Wrongfully charged.”“I am seeking info on how to help someone that was wrongfully accused,” the email stated. “I was the only eyewitness and things were not clear back then, but now I know more and would like to help this person if I can.”Two other men convicted in the killings later insisted that Strickland wasn’t at the crime scene and named two other possible suspects who were never charged, The Kansas City Star reported.Attorneys for the attorney general’s office tried to cast doubt on whether Douglas actually tried to recant her statement and suggested the email she sent to the Innocence Project could have been written by someone else using Douglas’ email.Peters Baker announced in May that she and other legal and political leaders believed Strickland was wrongfully convicted. In August, she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-816410e8eab142331d08c9d750153d28">used a new state law</a>&nbsp;to seek the evidentiary hearing for Strickland.The hearing was delayed for months as Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office filed several motions, including one that successfully led to all judges in the 16th Circuit Court in Jackson County being recused from presiding over the hearing because the circuit’s presiding judge said he agreed that Strickland should be exonerated.Schmitt, a Republican running for the U.S. Senate,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/michael-brown-b9748da3015f827cc009cc10cfb2478d">said Strickland was guilty</a>. Gov. Mike Parson also declined requests for clemency for Strickland.

Judge will decide fate of Kansas City man in 1978 triple killing

By STEPHEN KORANDA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-11-10/heres-what-it-would-take-to-remove-a-kansas-lawmaker-charged-with-domestic-battery">Kansas News Service</a>

Kansas state Rep. Aaron Coleman could face a second complaint from his fellow Democratic lawmakers following his <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-10-31/kansas-rep-aaron-coleman-arrested-on-domestic-violence-charge" target="_blank">arrest last month</a> for an alleged domestic battery. And it appears less likely he’d emerge with a simple reprimand like he did last time.

Coleman,
 from Kansas City, Kansas, was the subject of a legislative complaint 
earlier this year based on allegations that he abused and threatened 
women before taking office. An investigative committee ultimately 
dismissed the charge and issued an informal letter of reprimand.

Coleman
 has a history of allegations of abuse and harassment. The 21-year-old 
narrowly defeated an incumbent in last year’s election. That prompted 
calls to remove him when the allegations came to light. He was also <a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lifestyle-legislature-kansas-city-kansas-263a71a057314255fdf024b3acb34782" target="_blank">recently banned</a> from a state Department of Labor facility.

Democrats on the committee earlier this year initially wanted harsher
 punishment — like a formal censure or expulsion from the Legislature.

“There
 has to be something done, because otherwise this is a slap in the face 
to all those people who are his victims,” Democratic Rep. Cindy Neighbor
 said at the January hearing.

But those efforts couldn’t advance 
because Republicans didn’t want to take more severe action over fear of 
setting a precedent. They said there was no previous instance of a 
lawmaker facing discipline for actions before they took office.

“I
 don’t want to set a precedent that has never been done before in Kansas
 history,” Republican Rep. John Barker said when opposing any formal 
action against Coleman.

If lawmakers file a new complaint against 
Coleman, committee members wouldn’t have the same concerns about setting
 a new precedent. In this case, Coleman would face discipline for 
actions he took while he was a sitting lawmaker.

Few details have so far been released on Coleman’s arrest last month, but <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-11-01/kansas-state-rep-aaron-coleman-of-kansas-city-kansas-pleads-not-guilty-to-domestic-violence-charge" target="_blank">court documents</a>
 appear to show the battery charge stems from an alleged altercation 
with a family member. It appears that the family member may be Coleman’s
 brother.

A group of women Democratic legislators say they will 
file a new complaint seeking expulsion if Coleman doesn't step down 
following the battery charge.

“We are alarmed that an individual 
remains in a position of power after continued documented accounts of 
violence,” the lawmakers said in a statement. “The message must be sent 
that violence and dangerous conduct won’t be tolerated.”

One of 
those lawmakers, Democratic Rep. Jo Ella Hoye, said the women had not 
set a deadline for Coleman to resign or face a new complaint.

If a
 new complaint is filed, a committee would be created to investigate. 
That panel would then decide whether to dismiss the complaint or 
recommend some disciplinary action to the full House, which could 
admonish him or kick him out of the Legislature.

With the 2022 
session slated to start Jan. 10, it’s unlikely a special investigative 
committee would be formed and consider a complaint before the next 
session starts.

Coleman did not respond to requests for comment.

Stephen Koranda is the news editor for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Stephen_Koranda" target="_blank">@Stephen_Koranda</a> or email him at stephenkoranda@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636565753881.png" alt="Coleman at a protest earlier this year opposing calls to remove him from office. Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Coleman at a protest earlier this year opposing calls to remove him from office. Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEPHEN KORANDA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-11-10/heres-what-it-would-take-to-remove-a-kansas-lawmaker-charged-with-domestic-battery">Kansas News Service</a>Kansas state Rep. Aaron Coleman could face a second complaint from his fellow Democratic lawmakers following his <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-10-31/kansas-rep-aaron-coleman-arrested-on-domestic-violence-charge" target="_blank">arrest last month</a> for an alleged domestic battery. And it appears less likely he’d emerge with a simple reprimand like he did last time.Coleman,
 from Kansas City, Kansas, was the subject of a legislative complaint 
earlier this year based on allegations that he abused and threatened 
women before taking office. An investigative committee ultimately 
dismissed the charge and issued an informal letter of reprimand.Coleman
 has a history of allegations of abuse and harassment. The 21-year-old 
narrowly defeated an incumbent in last year’s election. That prompted 
calls to remove him when the allegations came to light. He was also <a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lifestyle-legislature-kansas-city-kansas-263a71a057314255fdf024b3acb34782" target="_blank">recently banned</a> from a state Department of Labor facility.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636565812186.png" alt="Coleman speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel." />
 <figcaption>Coleman speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel.</figcaption>
 </figure>Democrats on the committee earlier this year initially wanted harsher
 punishment — like a formal censure or expulsion from the Legislature.“There
 has to be something done, because otherwise this is a slap in the face 
to all those people who are his victims,” Democratic Rep. Cindy Neighbor
 said at the January hearing.But those efforts couldn’t advance 
because Republicans didn’t want to take more severe action over fear of 
setting a precedent. They said there was no previous instance of a 
lawmaker facing discipline for actions before they took office.“I
 don’t want to set a precedent that has never been done before in Kansas
 history,” Republican Rep. John Barker said when opposing any formal 
action against Coleman.If lawmakers file a new complaint against 
Coleman, committee members wouldn’t have the same concerns about setting
 a new precedent. In this case, Coleman would face discipline for 
actions he took while he was a sitting lawmaker.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1635804497310.png" alt="Coleman from his Oct. 30, Johnson Co. booking photo" />
 <figcaption>Coleman from his Oct. 30, Johnson Co. booking photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Few details have so far been released on Coleman’s arrest last month, but <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-11-01/kansas-state-rep-aaron-coleman-of-kansas-city-kansas-pleads-not-guilty-to-domestic-violence-charge" target="_blank">court documents</a>
 appear to show the battery charge stems from an alleged altercation 
with a family member. It appears that the family member may be Coleman’s
 brother.A group of women Democratic legislators say they will 
file a new complaint seeking expulsion if Coleman doesn't step down 
following the battery charge.“We are alarmed that an individual 
remains in a position of power after continued documented accounts of 
violence,” the lawmakers said in a statement. “The message must be sent 
that violence and dangerous conduct won’t be tolerated.”One of 
those lawmakers, Democratic Rep. Jo Ella Hoye, said the women had not 
set a deadline for Coleman to resign or face a new complaint.If a
 new complaint is filed, a committee would be created to investigate. 
That panel would then decide whether to dismiss the complaint or 
recommend some disciplinary action to the full House, which could 
admonish him or kick him out of the Legislature.With the 2022 
session slated to start Jan. 10, it’s unlikely a special investigative 
committee would be formed and consider a complaint before the next 
session starts.Coleman did not respond to requests for comment.Stephen Koranda is the news editor for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Stephen_Koranda" target="_blank">@Stephen_Koranda</a> or email him at stephenkoranda@kcur.org.

What it would take to remove Kan. lawmaker charged with domestic battery

HOUSTON (AP) — A 22-year-old college senior who was critically injured at the Astroworld festival in Houston has died, the family’s lawyer said Thursday, making her the 9th person to die in a crowd surge after fans pushed toward the stage during a performance by headliner Travis Scott.

Bharti Shahani died Wednesday, attorney James Lassiter said during a news conference.

“Bharti was a shining star in the community,” Lassiter said. “She was a sister, a daughter, a high-achieving college student about to graduate from Texas A&amp;M University with high, high grades.”

Hundreds of others were injured in the surge Friday night as Scott took to the stage. A criminal investigation into the deaths at Astroworld is underway.

Scott was only minutes into his headlining show at the Astroworld music festival when at least one Houston officer radioed over a police channel that the main stage had been compromised by a massive crowd surge.

The police radio traffic from the Friday night concert,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/astroworld-fest-tragedy/article/Police-audio-from-Astroworld-Festival-reveals-16611187.php" target="_blank">obtained by the Houston Chronicle,</a>&nbsp;reveals how quickly law enforcement became aware of the rising danger in the throng of concertgoers shortly after the star rapper began performing at the sold-out music festival, which drew about 50,000 people.

Hundreds of other fans were injured as a mass of bodies pressed toward the stage, and nearly a week later, at least two were still in critical condition. They include a 9-year-old boy whose family says was placed in a medically induced coma.

Authorities have opened a criminal investigation but have not yet assigned any fault.

Scott took the stage in his hometown of Houston shortly after 9 p.m.

“Looks like folks are coming out of the crowd complaining of difficulty breathing, crushing-type injuries,” one official said over the police radio around 9:21 p.m., according to the audio obtained by the newspaper. “Seems like the crowd is compressing on itself.”

Scott kept performing his set, which lasted about an hour. His attorneys have said he did not know about the tragedy unfolding in the crowd until after the show. The newspaper reported that officers spotted people leaving the crowd but that their voices remained calm through the first half hour.

I’m at the medical tent,” one officer radioed in around 9:30 p.m. “There’s a lot of people trampled and they’re passed out at the front stage.”

Later, another officer says: “We’re getting multiple reports of people getting injured. We have another report of cardiac situation with CPR by the stage.”

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said Wednesday that police told organizers to shut down the performance when fans in the crowd were administered CPR. Authorities gave word around 10:03 p.m. that the concert was in the process of shutting down, but witnesses say Scott and Drake, the superstar rapper who came on toward the end of Scott’s set as a special guest, kept performing.

Finner repeatedly refused to provide timelines Wednesday in what was just his second press briefing since the tragedy, saying the case was still under investigation. He said more than 500 officers were working the festival, more than double the number assigned in 2019, the last time the festival was held.

But Finner said festival organizers had not provided clear records of how many private security guards were working the show, describing what they turned over as “just not good.” It was up to Live Nation Entertainment, the show’s promoter, to secure two mosh pits in front of the stage, Finner said.

Scott’s attorneys on Wednesday pointed to an operational plan for the event that states only the festival director and executive producers have the authority to stop the show, “neither of which is part of Travis’s crew.”

“Investigations should start proceeding over finger-pointing so that together, we can identify exactly what transpired and how we can prevent anything like this from happening again,” attorney Edwin F. McPherson said in a statement.

Officials have not disclosed details about the fans who have been hospitalized since Friday, but the family of a 9-year-old boy who attended the concert with his father has said the child was in a medically induced coma after sustaining injuries to his heart, lungs and brain.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636661081723.png" alt="Hundreds were injured in the surge Friday night as Travis Scott took to the stage. A criminal investigation into the deaths at Astroworld is underway.-photo courtesy KPRC TV" />
 <figcaption>Hundreds were injured in the surge Friday night as Travis Scott took to the stage. A criminal investigation into the deaths at Astroworld is underway.-photo courtesy KPRC TV</figcaption>
 </figure>HOUSTON (AP) — A 22-year-old college senior who was critically injured at the Astroworld festival in Houston has died, the family’s lawyer said Thursday, making her the 9th person to die in a crowd surge after fans pushed toward the stage during a performance by headliner Travis Scott.Bharti Shahani died Wednesday, attorney James Lassiter said during a news conference.“Bharti was a shining star in the community,” Lassiter said. “She was a sister, a daughter, a high-achieving college student about to graduate from Texas A&amp;M University with high, high grades.”Hundreds of others were injured in the surge Friday night as Scott took to the stage. A criminal investigation into the deaths at Astroworld is underway.Scott was only minutes into his headlining show at the Astroworld music festival when at least one Houston officer radioed over a police channel that the main stage had been compromised by a massive crowd surge.The police radio traffic from the Friday night concert,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/astroworld-fest-tragedy/article/Police-audio-from-Astroworld-Festival-reveals-16611187.php" target="_blank">obtained by the Houston Chronicle,</a>&nbsp;reveals how quickly law enforcement became aware of the rising danger in the throng of concertgoers shortly after the star rapper began performing at the sold-out music festival, which drew about 50,000 people.Hundreds of other fans were injured as a mass of bodies pressed toward the stage, and nearly a week later, at least two were still in critical condition. They include a 9-year-old boy whose family says was placed in a medically induced coma.Authorities have opened a criminal investigation but have not yet assigned any fault.Scott took the stage in his hometown of Houston shortly after 9 p.m.“Looks like folks are coming out of the crowd complaining of difficulty breathing, crushing-type injuries,” one official said over the police radio around 9:21 p.m., according to the audio obtained by the newspaper. “Seems like the crowd is compressing on itself.”Scott kept performing his set, which lasted about an hour. His attorneys have said he did not know about the tragedy unfolding in the crowd until after the show. The newspaper reported that officers spotted people leaving the crowd but that their voices remained calm through the first half hour.I’m at the medical tent,” one officer radioed in around 9:30 p.m. “There’s a lot of people trampled and they’re passed out at the front stage.”Later, another officer says: “We’re getting multiple reports of people getting injured. We have another report of cardiac situation with CPR by the stage.”Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said Wednesday that police told organizers to shut down the performance when fans in the crowd were administered CPR. Authorities gave word around 10:03 p.m. that the concert was in the process of shutting down, but witnesses say Scott and Drake, the superstar rapper who came on toward the end of Scott’s set as a special guest, kept performing.Finner repeatedly refused to provide timelines Wednesday in what was just his second press briefing since the tragedy, saying the case was still under investigation. He said more than 500 officers were working the festival, more than double the number assigned in 2019, the last time the festival was held.But Finner said festival organizers had not provided clear records of how many private security guards were working the show, describing what they turned over as “just not good.” It was up to Live Nation Entertainment, the show’s promoter, to secure two mosh pits in front of the stage, Finner said.Scott’s attorneys on Wednesday pointed to an operational plan for the event that states only the festival director and executive producers have the authority to stop the show, “neither of which is part of Travis’s crew.”“Investigations should start proceeding over finger-pointing so that together, we can identify exactly what transpired and how we can prevent anything like this from happening again,” attorney Edwin F. McPherson said in a statement.Officials have not disclosed details about the fans who have been hospitalized since Friday, but the family of a 9-year-old boy who attended the concert with his father has said the child was in a medically induced coma after sustaining injuries to his heart, lungs and brain.

22-year-old student is 9th fatality from music festival in Houston 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) —&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;officials on Wednesday issued a new and far more optimistic fiscal forecast forecast for state government, increasing their projections for tax collections by $1.3 billion for the current budget year.

The new forecast increased the state's projections for its tax collections for the 2022 fiscal year that began July 1 by 17.1% to $8.9 billion. The previous projections were made in April.

The forecasters also projected modest growth in tax collections of 3.2% for the 2023 budget year, an increase of $288 million, to nearly $9.2 billion.

The new numbers come with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and members of the Republican-controlled Legislature already planning to pursue tax cuts next year. Kelly has proposed eliminating the state's 6.5% sales tax on groceries, which could save consumers roughly $450 million a year.

Legislators and other officials had expected a more optimistic forecast because tax collections have been higher than expected for 15 consecutive months and for all but three months during the past four years. From July 1 through Oct. 31, tax collections were 18.9% more than anticipated, creating a $440 million surplus. The new numbers account for that surplus.

The forecasters are legislative researchers, state Department of Revenue officials, members of the governor's staff and university economists.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636581975258.png" alt="On Monday, Gov. Kelly proposed eliminating the state's 6.5% sales tax on groceries, which could save consumers roughly $450 million a year." />
 <figcaption>On Monday, Gov. Kelly proposed eliminating the state's 6.5% sales tax on groceries, which could save consumers roughly $450 million a year.</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) —&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;officials on Wednesday issued a new and far more optimistic fiscal forecast forecast for state government, increasing their projections for tax collections by $1.3 billion for the current budget year.The new forecast increased the state's projections for its tax collections for the 2022 fiscal year that began July 1 by 17.1% to $8.9 billion. The previous projections were made in April.The forecasters also projected modest growth in tax collections of 3.2% for the 2023 budget year, an increase of $288 million, to nearly $9.2 billion.The new numbers come with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and members of the Republican-controlled Legislature already planning to pursue tax cuts next year. Kelly has proposed eliminating the state's 6.5% sales tax on groceries, which could save consumers roughly $450 million a year.Legislators and other officials had expected a more optimistic forecast because tax collections have been higher than expected for 15 consecutive months and for all but three months during the past four years. From July 1 through Oct. 31, tax collections were 18.9% more than anticipated, creating a $440 million surplus. The new numbers account for that surplus.The forecasters are legislative researchers, state Department of Revenue officials, members of the governor's staff and university economists.

New forecast boosts Kansas tax revenue projections by $1.3B

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities are working to determine the cause of a Kansas house fire that left several pets dead.

Just after&nbsp;4p.m. Wednesday, a fire was discovered in a home at 310 NW Fairchild Street in Topeka, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.

Crews found fire and smoke was showing from the rear of the house.&nbsp; A search of the house revealed occupants were not home at the time of the incident. They returned home shortly after being notified by neighbors and spoke with investigators.

Fire crews found and rescued several cats in the residence. Several other cats perished as a result of the fire, according to Harrison. The estimated total damage is $15,000: $10,000 is associated with structural damage and $5000 content loss. Investigators found no working smoke detectors in the home, according to Harrison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636646012819.png" alt="Crews at the scene of Wednesday's house fire -photo courtesy WIBW-TV" />
 <figcaption>Crews at the scene of Wednesday's house fire -photo courtesy WIBW-TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities are working to determine the cause of a Kansas house fire that left several pets dead.Just after&nbsp;4p.m. Wednesday, a fire was discovered in a home at 310 NW Fairchild Street in Topeka, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.Crews found fire and smoke was showing from the rear of the house.&nbsp; A search of the house revealed occupants were not home at the time of the incident. They returned home shortly after being notified by neighbors and spoke with investigators.Fire crews found and rescued several cats in the residence. Several other cats perished as a result of the fire, according to Harrison. The estimated total damage is $15,000: $10,000 is associated with structural damage and $5000 content loss. Investigators found no working smoke detectors in the home, according to Harrison.

Fire Marshal: Several pets die after fire at Kansas home

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday ordered a halt to the enforcement of Texas' ban on mask mandates in the state's schools.

U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel ruled in Austin that the ban ordered by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott violated a federal law protecting disabled students’ access to public education. The nonprofit advocacy group Disabled Rights Texas argued that Abbott’s ban prohibited accommodations for disabled children particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.

Yeakel prohibited Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton from suing school districts that require students to wear masks as a safety measure. Paxton already had sued 15 school districts to overturn those local mask mandates.

“Governor Abbott’s executive order clearly violates federal law, and Attorney General Paxton’s enforcement of the order against school districts is now stopped," Kym Davis Johnson of Disability Rights Texas said in a statement. “As the court found, Texas is not above federal law, and state officials cannot prevent school districts from providing accommodations to students who are especially vulnerable to the risks of COVID-19.”

Messages seeking comment from Abbott's and Paxton's offices were not immediately returned Wednesday.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday ordered a halt to the enforcement of Texas' ban on mask mandates in the state's schools.U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel ruled in Austin that the ban ordered by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott violated a federal law protecting disabled students’ access to public education. The nonprofit advocacy group Disabled Rights Texas argued that Abbott’s ban prohibited accommodations for disabled children particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.Yeakel prohibited Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton from suing school districts that require students to wear masks as a safety measure. Paxton already had sued 15 school districts to overturn those local mask mandates.“Governor Abbott’s executive order clearly violates federal law, and Attorney General Paxton’s enforcement of the order against school districts is now stopped," Kym Davis Johnson of Disability Rights Texas said in a statement. “As the court found, Texas is not above federal law, and state officials cannot prevent school districts from providing accommodations to students who are especially vulnerable to the risks of COVID-19.”Messages seeking comment from Abbott's and Paxton's offices were not immediately returned Wednesday.

Federal judge: School mask ban violates Americans with Disabilities Act

By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-11-10/goddard-school-district-reverses-decision-to-pull-library-books">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA, Kansas — The Goddard school district reversed its 
decision to remove nearly 30 books from circulation in its libraries 
after receiving national pushback from authors and free speech 
advocates.

An email sent to families Wednesday said all library 
books are once again available for students to check out while the 
district reviews its vetting process for library materials.

The district had <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-11-09/goddard-school-district-orders-29-books-removed-from-circulation" target="_blank">removed more than two dozen books from circulation</a> earlier this week after a parent complained.

The
 list of books initially barred from checkout included classics such as 
“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Fences” and “The Bluest Eye,” as well as 
contemporary bestsellers such as “The Hate U Give.”

The decision was widely criticized on social media, including by several authors.

“When you’re banning books, you’re on the wrong side of history,” <a href="https://twitter.com/bradmeltzer/status/1458433866742603786" target="_blank">tweeted author Brad Meltzer</a>.

The
 email to Goddard families on Wednesday said a parent “had questions 
about language and graphics from a specific book” their child had 
checked out in September. The parent then submitted a list of 28 books, 
met with the building principal and filled out a “request for review” 
form with the school, the email said.

“When this list came to our 
attention, we checked with multiple school librarians regarding the 
national push to challenge these books,” the email said.

Officials decided to form a committee to examine the vetting process of library materials and the review process for parents.

“At
 that point, the decision was made to hold these books until the 
committee could begin meeting and collect feedback from all principals 
and librarians,” the email said.

The group was set to assemble next week but met Wednesday afternoon instead.

Principals
 and librarians decided to put the challenged books back into 
circulation, the email said. Some of the books on the list are not part 
of the district’s library collection.

Goddard parents have access 
to a database of books their children check out and can receive 
notifications when their children check out a book. In addition, <a href="http://library.goddardusd.com/" target="_blank">library catalogs for all Goddard schools</a> are available on the district’s website.

“Parents are encouraged to always contact their building principal or librarian with concerns,” the email said.

The
 majority of books on Goddard’s list are written by people of color or 
feature characters from diverse backgrounds. Many deal with issues of 
race, gender or sexuality.

Authors and free speech advocates said 
the case is part of a national trend that has school boards trying to 
balance parental outrage with students’ access to diverse books.

The American Library Association said book challenges are up about 60% over the same time last year.

In recent months, many books have been challenged by parents and community members under the guise that they’re <a href="https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/calls-to-ban-books-by-black-authors-are-increasing-amid-critical-race-theory-debates/2021/09" target="_blank">promoting critical race theory</a>.

Last month, a Texas lawmaker <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/10/28/1050013664/texas-lawmaker-matt-krause-launches-inquiry-into-850-books" target="_blank">circulated a list of about 850 books</a> and asked schools statewide to tell him whether they have any books on the list and how much money was spent on them.

Jonathan
 Friedman, director of free expression and education for PEN America, 
said the Goddard case was especially troubling because books were pulled
 out of circulation without a review.

“You have a single parent . .
 . produce a list of books, and the district says, ‘Sure, no problem. We
 won’t let anybody read those books because one parent complained,’” 
Friedman said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636644419064.png" alt="Authors and free speech advocates say book challenges are increasing, and more school boards are trying to balance parental outrage with students’ access to diverse books. Suzanne Perez / KMUW" />
 <figcaption>Authors and free speech advocates say book challenges are increasing, and more school boards are trying to balance parental outrage with students’ access to diverse books. Suzanne Perez / KMUW</figcaption>
 </figure>By SUZANNE PEREZ <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-11-10/goddard-school-district-reverses-decision-to-pull-library-books">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA, Kansas — The Goddard school district reversed its 
decision to remove nearly 30 books from circulation in its libraries 
after receiving national pushback from authors and free speech 
advocates.An email sent to families Wednesday said all library 
books are once again available for students to check out while the 
district reviews its vetting process for library materials.The district had <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/education/2021-11-09/goddard-school-district-orders-29-books-removed-from-circulation" target="_blank">removed more than two dozen books from circulation</a> earlier this week after a parent complained.The
 list of books initially barred from checkout included classics such as 
“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Fences” and “The Bluest Eye,” as well as 
contemporary bestsellers such as “The Hate U Give.”The decision was widely criticized on social media, including by several authors.“When you’re banning books, you’re on the wrong side of history,” <a href="https://twitter.com/bradmeltzer/status/1458433866742603786" target="_blank">tweeted author Brad Meltzer</a>.The
 email to Goddard families on Wednesday said a parent “had questions 
about language and graphics from a specific book” their child had 
checked out in September. The parent then submitted a list of 28 books, 
met with the building principal and filled out a “request for review” 
form with the school, the email said.“When this list came to our 
attention, we checked with multiple school librarians regarding the 
national push to challenge these books,” the email said.Officials decided to form a committee to examine the vetting process of library materials and the review process for parents.“At
 that point, the decision was made to hold these books until the 
committee could begin meeting and collect feedback from all principals 
and librarians,” the email said.The group was set to assemble next week but met Wednesday afternoon instead.Principals
 and librarians decided to put the challenged books back into 
circulation, the email said. Some of the books on the list are not part 
of the district’s library collection.Goddard parents have access 
to a database of books their children check out and can receive 
notifications when their children check out a book. In addition, <a href="http://library.goddardusd.com/" target="_blank">library catalogs for all Goddard schools</a> are available on the district’s website.“Parents are encouraged to always contact their building principal or librarian with concerns,” the email said.The
 majority of books on Goddard’s list are written by people of color or 
feature characters from diverse backgrounds. Many deal with issues of 
race, gender or sexuality.Authors and free speech advocates said 
the case is part of a national trend that has school boards trying to 
balance parental outrage with students’ access to diverse books.The American Library Association said book challenges are up about 60% over the same time last year.In recent months, many books have been challenged by parents and community members under the guise that they’re <a href="https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/calls-to-ban-books-by-black-authors-are-increasing-amid-critical-race-theory-debates/2021/09" target="_blank">promoting critical race theory</a>.Last month, a Texas lawmaker <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/10/28/1050013664/texas-lawmaker-matt-krause-launches-inquiry-into-850-books" target="_blank">circulated a list of about 850 books</a> and asked schools statewide to tell him whether they have any books on the list and how much money was spent on them.Jonathan
 Friedman, director of free expression and education for PEN America, 
said the Goddard case was especially troubling because books were pulled
 out of circulation without a review.“You have a single parent . .
 . produce a list of books, and the district says, ‘Sure, no problem. We
 won’t let anybody read those books because one parent complained,’” 
Friedman said.“That's very concerning, considering the importance
 of individual liberties and the importance of the freedom to read in a 
democratic society.”Amanda Hope Perez, author of “Out of 
Darkness” and a former high school English teacher, said public book 
challenges are troubling. But she’s more concerned about what may be 
happening behind the scenes.“I've heard from librarians (that) 
folks are being quietly asked to pull materials preemptively. And I 
think that’s even more alarming – the chilling effect,” Perez said.“It's much harder to respond to that kind of softer censorship that’s occurring.”Suzanne Perez reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter @SuzPerezICT.