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.

“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.

<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.

Kansas school district reverses decision to pull library books

JACKSON COUNTY–Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged drug distribution.

Just after 11:30p.m. Nov. 6,&nbsp; a sheriff’s deputy stopped a Ford Ranger in the 100 Block of W. 2nd Street in the City of Hoyt for a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

After an investigation, deputies arrested the passenger, John Bradley Hudson, 46, of Hoyt and booked him into the Jackson County Jail for possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636641033172.png" alt="Hudson photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Hudson photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY–Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for alleged drug distribution.Just after 11:30p.m. Nov. 6,&nbsp; a sheriff’s deputy stopped a Ford Ranger in the 100 Block of W. 2nd Street in the City of Hoyt for a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.After an investigation, deputies arrested the passenger, John Bradley Hudson, 46, of Hoyt and booked him into the Jackson County Jail for possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff: Kansas man had hallucinogenic drugs, was selling meth

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY —A Kansas school district will use two snow days this month to give their overwhelmed staff a break.

On Monday, the Lansing USD 469 Board of Education approved two additional days off on November 22 and 23, at the recommendation of Superintendent Dan Wessel.

He recommended the two wellness days based on feedback he has received from school staff. "Districts around the nation are seeing employees&nbsp;getting burnt out like never before, and Lansing is no exception," according to Wessel in a statement from the district.

"We realize our staff has been presented with an overwhelming amount of responsibility this school year amid the ongoing pandemic and feel it is important to recognize the stress they have been put under and feel the time off will allow them time to rest, recharge, and come back ready to tackle the weeks leading up to winter break."

The district told families if the district reaches the maximum number of snow days this year, they will be required to make up the time before the end of the school year.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY —A Kansas school district will use two snow days this month to give their overwhelmed staff a break.On Monday, the Lansing USD 469 Board of Education approved two additional days off on November 22 and 23, at the recommendation of Superintendent Dan Wessel.He recommended the two wellness days based on feedback he has received from school staff. "Districts around the nation are seeing employees&nbsp;getting burnt out like never before, and Lansing is no exception," according to Wessel in a statement from the district."We realize our staff has been presented with an overwhelming amount of responsibility this school year amid the ongoing pandemic and feel it is important to recognize the stress they have been put under and feel the time off will allow them time to rest, recharge, and come back ready to tackle the weeks leading up to winter break."The district told families if the district reaches the maximum number of snow days this year, they will be required to make up the time before the end of the school year.

Kan. school district using snow days to give overwhelmed staff a break

BALTIMORE (AP) — President Joe Biden touted his $1 trillion infrastructure plan Wednesday as an eventual fix for the nation’s inflation and supply chain woes -- if Americans just have the patience to wait for the construction to begin.

The president toured the Port of Baltimore at the start of what is likely to be a national tour to showcase his signature legislation that cleared Congress last week and that he intends to sign on Monday. He declared that the spending would improve transportation of products and supplies from overseas and within the U.S. to help lower prices, reduce shortages and add union jobs.

That message is becoming more critical as the government reported Wednesday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-consumer-prices-inflation-economy-prices-10e00ba16f8fb94f45ced724f2ea2e45">consumer prices in October climbed 6.2% from a year ago.</a>&nbsp;Inflation has intensified instead of fading as the economy reopened after the coronavirus pandemic, creating a major challenge for Biden whose administration repeatedly said that the price increases were temporary. During remarks at the port, he acknowledged that consumer prices remained “too high.”

“Everything from a gallon of gas to a loaf of bread costs more,” he said. “We still face challenges and we have to tackle them ... we have to tackle them head on.”

Higher prices have eaten into wages and turned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-joe-biden-business-health-d14c1764e3967c36d29d93ff7ff4bb72">public sentiment</a>&nbsp;on the economy against Biden in polls. One of the obstacles for reducing inflation has been backlogged ports with ships waiting to dock at major transit hubs, causing shortages and leaving some store shelves depleted ahead of the holiday shopping season.

“Many people remain unsettled about the economy and we all know why,” Biden said.

He offered his infrastructure plan as the solution, albeit one that will take time to manifest. Better infrastructure — whether roads, bridges, ports or whatever — would give more capacity and resiliency for the supply chain. There would be more capacity to unload ships and move goods, which in turn would reduce price pressures and shortages.

Biden said the infrastructure spending would create jobs paying $45 an hour, nearly 50% above the current national average. It would create a wealth of jobs to fix aging pipes, bridges and roads, and boost clean energy and cybersecurity. And most wouldn’t require college degrees.

“This is a once in a generation investment,” he said.

The president pointed to Baltimore’s port as a blueprint on how to reduce shipping bottlenecks that have held back the economic recovery. The facility is adding container cranes as well as a 50-foot berth where ships can be unloaded. Baltimore’s port is also benefiting from grants to upgrade the Howard Street Tunnel, a brick-lined underpass for trains that opened in 1895. The tunnel would be expanded so that shipping containers could be double-stacked on railcars, making it easier to move goods out of the port.

The president, who consulted with the CEOs of Walmart, Target, FedEx and UPS on Tuesday, emphasized that these investments are part of a national effort to relieve supply chain bottlenecks in ways that can aid broader growth.

His administration also announced new investments to reduce congestion at the Port of Savannah in Georgia, nearly a month after the administration helped broker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-los-angeles-health-48ff262b882a37308e4a3f15934b2ee4">a deal for the Port of Los Angeles to operate nonstop</a>.

The president has been trying to explain that the port congestion shows just how strong the economic rebound from the pandemic has been. A forecast by the National Retail Federation suggests a record level of imports this year.

The inflation phenomenon is also global in nature, with Germany and China recently reporting high levels.

The president made his case Wednesday in a city of nearly 600,000 people that supports him. Nearly 90% of voters in Baltimore backed Biden in last year’s election. The president also stopped in the city for a CNN town hall on Oct. 21.

Baltimore embodies the complexities of an increasingly diverse America at a time of heated national politics.

Many Americans have seen a TV version of the city’s poverty, crime, political corruption and vacant row houses on shows such as HBO’s “The Wire.” Unrest following the 2015 death of Freddie Gray from injuries in a police van helped to propel a national movement for respecting the rights and lives of Black Americans.

But Baltimore also contains deep pockets of wealth and prosperity in what is a microcosm of the broader inequality confronting the nation. There are the mansions of the Guilford neighborhood, elite private schools, celebrated restaurants and the prestige of Johns Hopkins University.

As president, Donald Trump slammed the majority Black city on Twitter frequently, calling it “the WORST IN NATION.” But while Trump scorned Baltimore, Biden sees a test case for his agenda that goes beyond the ports. His child tax credits are sending thousands of dollars to families in a city with a child poverty rate north of 30%. Work has begun to renovate and modernize the historic Penn Station, possibly improving rail transit across the Northeast.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636579435172.png" alt="“Everything from a gallon of gas to a loaf of bread costs more,” President Biden said during a tour of the&nbsp; Port of Baltimore on Wednesday. “We still face challenges and we have to tackle them ... we have to tackle them head on.”-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>“Everything from a gallon of gas to a loaf of bread costs more,” President Biden said during a tour of the&nbsp; Port of Baltimore on Wednesday. “We still face challenges and we have to tackle them ... we have to tackle them head on.”-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>BALTIMORE (AP) — President Joe Biden touted his $1 trillion infrastructure plan Wednesday as an eventual fix for the nation’s inflation and supply chain woes -- if Americans just have the patience to wait for the construction to begin.The president toured the Port of Baltimore at the start of what is likely to be a national tour to showcase his signature legislation that cleared Congress last week and that he intends to sign on Monday. He declared that the spending would improve transportation of products and supplies from overseas and within the U.S. to help lower prices, reduce shortages and add union jobs.That message is becoming more critical as the government reported Wednesday that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-consumer-prices-inflation-economy-prices-10e00ba16f8fb94f45ced724f2ea2e45">consumer prices in October climbed 6.2% from a year ago.</a>&nbsp;Inflation has intensified instead of fading as the economy reopened after the coronavirus pandemic, creating a major challenge for Biden whose administration repeatedly said that the price increases were temporary. During remarks at the port, he acknowledged that consumer prices remained “too high.”“Everything from a gallon of gas to a loaf of bread costs more,” he said. “We still face challenges and we have to tackle them ... we have to tackle them head on.”Higher prices have eaten into wages and turned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-joe-biden-business-health-d14c1764e3967c36d29d93ff7ff4bb72">public sentiment</a>&nbsp;on the economy against Biden in polls. One of the obstacles for reducing inflation has been backlogged ports with ships waiting to dock at major transit hubs, causing shortages and leaving some store shelves depleted ahead of the holiday shopping season.“Many people remain unsettled about the economy and we all know why,” Biden said.He offered his infrastructure plan as the solution, albeit one that will take time to manifest. Better infrastructure — whether roads, bridges, ports or whatever — would give more capacity and resiliency for the supply chain. There would be more capacity to unload ships and move goods, which in turn would reduce price pressures and shortages.Biden said the infrastructure spending would create jobs paying $45 an hour, nearly 50% above the current national average. It would create a wealth of jobs to fix aging pipes, bridges and roads, and boost clean energy and cybersecurity. And most wouldn’t require college degrees.“This is a once in a generation investment,” he said.The president pointed to Baltimore’s port as a blueprint on how to reduce shipping bottlenecks that have held back the economic recovery. The facility is adding container cranes as well as a 50-foot berth where ships can be unloaded. Baltimore’s port is also benefiting from grants to upgrade the Howard Street Tunnel, a brick-lined underpass for trains that opened in 1895. The tunnel would be expanded so that shipping containers could be double-stacked on railcars, making it easier to move goods out of the port.The president, who consulted with the CEOs of Walmart, Target, FedEx and UPS on Tuesday, emphasized that these investments are part of a national effort to relieve supply chain bottlenecks in ways that can aid broader growth.His administration also announced new investments to reduce congestion at the Port of Savannah in Georgia, nearly a month after the administration helped broker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-los-angeles-health-48ff262b882a37308e4a3f15934b2ee4">a deal for the Port of Los Angeles to operate nonstop</a>.The president has been trying to explain that the port congestion shows just how strong the economic rebound from the pandemic has been. A forecast by the National Retail Federation suggests a record level of imports this year.The inflation phenomenon is also global in nature, with Germany and China recently reporting high levels.The president made his case Wednesday in a city of nearly 600,000 people that supports him. Nearly 90% of voters in Baltimore backed Biden in last year’s election. The president also stopped in the city for a CNN town hall on Oct. 21.Baltimore embodies the complexities of an increasingly diverse America at a time of heated national politics.Many Americans have seen a TV version of the city’s poverty, crime, political corruption and vacant row houses on shows such as HBO’s “The Wire.” Unrest following the 2015 death of Freddie Gray from injuries in a police van helped to propel a national movement for respecting the rights and lives of Black Americans.But Baltimore also contains deep pockets of wealth and prosperity in what is a microcosm of the broader inequality confronting the nation. There are the mansions of the Guilford neighborhood, elite private schools, celebrated restaurants and the prestige of Johns Hopkins University.As president, Donald Trump slammed the majority Black city on Twitter frequently, calling it “the WORST IN NATION.” But while Trump scorned Baltimore, Biden sees a test case for his agenda that goes beyond the ports. His child tax credits are sending thousands of dollars to families in a city with a child poverty rate north of 30%. Work has begun to renovate and modernize the historic Penn Station, possibly improving rail transit across the Northeast.

Biden: My $1.7T infrastructure plan will ease economic woes

RENO COUNTY. — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on sex crime and kidnapping allegations.

Just after 8:30p.m. Monday, deputies were sent to a rural residence northwest of Hutchinson for a domestic disturbance, according to a media release.&nbsp;

 Deputies spoke with a man who stated the caller to 911 had just left the residence.&nbsp;

Tuesday morning, detectives began to review information previously gathered about this case and set up further interviews. In this continued investigation, it is believed that several crimes were possibly committed causing the initial call. 

On Wednesday, deputies arrested 33-year-old Mathew W. Morgan of rural Hutchinson on requested charges of Aggravated Sodomy, Aggravated Domestic Battery and Aggravated Kidnapping. He is being held on a bond of $152,500, according to the release.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636628412851.jpeg" alt="Morgan-photo Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>Morgan-photo Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY. — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on sex crime and kidnapping allegations.Just after 8:30p.m. Monday, deputies were sent to a rural residence northwest of Hutchinson for a domestic disturbance, according to a media release.&nbsp; Deputies spoke with a man who stated the caller to 911 had just left the residence.&nbsp;Tuesday morning, detectives began to review information previously gathered about this case and set up further interviews. In this continued investigation, it is believed that several crimes were possibly committed causing the initial call. On Wednesday, deputies arrested 33-year-old Mathew W. Morgan of rural Hutchinson on requested charges of Aggravated Sodomy, Aggravated Domestic Battery and Aggravated Kidnapping. He is being held on a bond of $152,500, according to the release.

Deputies arrest Kansas man for alleged sex crimes, kidnapping

Whether you like it or not (and I can’t 
imagine you’d like it), you’re going to have to resume your student 
loans payments in the new year. Specifically, on Feb. 1, 2022. And while
 student loan relief may be extended again in the future, eventually, 
you&nbsp;will&nbsp;have to pay back the Pied Piper. So instead of waiting, you need to prepare now.

You
 may be dreading the end of student loan relief, but listen to me: These
 student loans don’t have to stick around forever. How do I know? Years 
ago, I was able to pay off $36,000 of student loans in 18 months. You 
can do the same thing. And with no student loans, you can live a life 
with more margin and freedom.

Make sure your information is correct

You
 may not have made a loan payment in nearly two years—and a lot can 
happen in that time. Did you get hitched? Change your last name? Move to
 the mountains to work remotely in an Insta-worthy log cabin? (If it’s 
all three, my hat’s off to you. Congrats!)

But if you don’t keep 
your lenders in the loop with your changes, they will assume you’ve gone
 into hiding. Trust me, the student loan industry doesn’t want you to 
win — they want your money. Don’t let outdated information give them the
 chance to screw you with more fees and penalties.

So double-check
 that your name, address and bank information are all up to date. And 
while you’re at it, take a look at your payment plan so you’re not 
surprised.

And if you know you’re going to struggle to pay your 
bill, tell your lender ahead of time. You may be able to switch to a 
payment plan that works for your current situation. But don’t wait until
 relief ends on January 31, 2022, to get this all figured out (looking 
at you, fellow procrastinators)!

Budget for your student loan payment

Money
 will up and evaporate from your bank account if you’re not intentional 
about managing it. That’s why I budget — and why you should too. If you 
haven’t experienced the joy of using a budget yet, today is the perfect 
day to start. I want you to manage your money the smart way, using 
what’s called the zero-based­ budget.

Just list your income and 
subtract all your expenses until you get that magical zero. If you end 
up with a positive number, you’ve got work to do—give those leftover 
dollars a job. We don’t want our dollars unemployed!

If you end up
 with a negative number, then you’ve really got work to do. As in, you 
probably need to cut back somewhere or get a second job to bring in more
 money. But hey, you’re just an app away from earning some extra cash 
walking dogs with Rover, delivering groceries with Instacart or Shipt, 
or driving for Uber or Lyft. I worked multiple side hustles when I was 
paying off my student loans, and it made all the difference.

Start paying your loans back&nbsp;now

The
 biggest mistake I see people making during this debt relief period is 
not paying back their loans, even when they could. Honestly, if that’s 
you, you’re choosing what you want right now instead of what’s best for 
your future. That’s a terrible tradeoff. Instead, take advantage of this
 interest-free period. Pay your loans back now and all the dough Sallie 
Mae would normally pocket from interest will go toward your principal 
balance and your freedom.&nbsp;

Yes,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/debt/how-to-pay-off-student-loans-quickly" target="_blank">paying off your student debt</a>&nbsp;takes
 time, hard work and a whole lot of sacrifice, but there is a light at 
the end of this student loan tunnel — a life on your terms. But you’ll 
never get it if you don’t act. Don’t wait on student loan relief, or for
 any other government program like Public Service Loan Forgiveness 
(which currently has an appalling 2% success rate). Take a step toward a
 life of margin and freedom right now!

George Kamel&nbsp;is a personal finance expert with a counter-cultural approach to money. He is the host of&nbsp;&nbsp;The Fine Print and EntreLeadership&nbsp;podcasts
 on the Ramsey Network. Since 2013 George has served at Ramsey Solutions
 where his goal is to help people spend less, save more, and avoid 
consumer traps, so that they can make the most of their money. Follow 
George on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/GeorgeKamel?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" target="_blank">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/georgekamel/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/OfficialGeorgeKamel" target="_blank">Facebook</a>&nbsp;or find out more about him online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/personalities" target="_blank">ramseysolutions.com/personalities</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636603961231.jpeg" alt="George Kamel&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>George Kamel&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By GEORGE KAMELWhether you like it or not (and I can’t 
imagine you’d like it), you’re going to have to resume your student 
loans payments in the new year. Specifically, on Feb. 1, 2022. And while
 student loan relief may be extended again in the future, eventually, 
you&nbsp;will&nbsp;have to pay back the Pied Piper. So instead of waiting, you need to prepare now.You
 may be dreading the end of student loan relief, but listen to me: These
 student loans don’t have to stick around forever. How do I know? Years 
ago, I was able to pay off $36,000 of student loans in 18 months. You 
can do the same thing. And with no student loans, you can live a life 
with more margin and freedom.Make sure your information is correctYou
 may not have made a loan payment in nearly two years—and a lot can 
happen in that time. Did you get hitched? Change your last name? Move to
 the mountains to work remotely in an Insta-worthy log cabin? (If it’s 
all three, my hat’s off to you. Congrats!)But if you don’t keep 
your lenders in the loop with your changes, they will assume you’ve gone
 into hiding. Trust me, the student loan industry doesn’t want you to 
win — they want your money. Don’t let outdated information give them the
 chance to screw you with more fees and penalties.So double-check
 that your name, address and bank information are all up to date. And 
while you’re at it, take a look at your payment plan so you’re not 
surprised.And if you know you’re going to struggle to pay your 
bill, tell your lender ahead of time. You may be able to switch to a 
payment plan that works for your current situation. But don’t wait until
 relief ends on January 31, 2022, to get this all figured out (looking 
at you, fellow procrastinators)!Budget for your student loan paymentMoney
 will up and evaporate from your bank account if you’re not intentional 
about managing it. That’s why I budget — and why you should too. If you 
haven’t experienced the joy of using a budget yet, today is the perfect 
day to start. I want you to manage your money the smart way, using 
what’s called the zero-based­ budget.Just list your income and 
subtract all your expenses until you get that magical zero. If you end 
up with a positive number, you’ve got work to do—give those leftover 
dollars a job. We don’t want our dollars unemployed!If you end up
 with a negative number, then you’ve really got work to do. As in, you 
probably need to cut back somewhere or get a second job to bring in more
 money. But hey, you’re just an app away from earning some extra cash 
walking dogs with Rover, delivering groceries with Instacart or Shipt, 
or driving for Uber or Lyft. I worked multiple side hustles when I was 
paying off my student loans, and it made all the difference.Start paying your loans back&nbsp;nowThe
 biggest mistake I see people making during this debt relief period is 
not paying back their loans, even when they could. Honestly, if that’s 
you, you’re choosing what you want right now instead of what’s best for 
your future. That’s a terrible tradeoff. Instead, take advantage of this
 interest-free period. Pay your loans back now and all the dough Sallie 
Mae would normally pocket from interest will go toward your principal 
balance and your freedom.&nbsp;Yes,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/debt/how-to-pay-off-student-loans-quickly" target="_blank">paying off your student debt</a>&nbsp;takes
 time, hard work and a whole lot of sacrifice, but there is a light at 
the end of this student loan tunnel — a life on your terms. But you’ll 
never get it if you don’t act. Don’t wait on student loan relief, or for
 any other government program like Public Service Loan Forgiveness 
(which currently has an appalling 2% success rate). Take a step toward a
 life of margin and freedom right now!. . .George Kamel&nbsp;is a personal finance expert with a counter-cultural approach to money. He is the host of&nbsp;&nbsp;The Fine Print and EntreLeadership&nbsp;podcasts
 on the Ramsey Network. Since 2013 George has served at Ramsey Solutions
 where his goal is to help people spend less, save more, and avoid 
consumer traps, so that they can make the most of their money. Follow 
George on&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/GeorgeKamel?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" target="_blank">Twitter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/georgekamel/?hl=en" target="_blank">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/OfficialGeorgeKamel" target="_blank">Facebook</a>&nbsp;or find out more about him online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/personalities" target="_blank">ramseysolutions.com/personalities</a>.

KAMEL: 3 ways to get ready for the end of student loan relief

A recent <a href="https://bbb.org/employmentscams" target="_blank">Better Business Bureau (BBB) report</a>
 shed light on those most impacted by employment scams: military spouses
 and veterans. Military spouses and veterans were both more likely to be
 victimized than non-military consumers, and more notably, the median 
dollar loss was significantly higher – nearly double – than those 
reported by non-military consumers.

Employment scams were the #1 riskiest scam in 2018 and 2019 according
 to the BBB Risk Index, which measures exposure, susceptibility, and 
monetary loss based on reports to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>.
 This was true for both the overall consumer population as well as 
military consumers specifically. When broken out by military 
demographic, employment scams are the most risky scam for military 
spouses and the second most risky scam for veterans. The <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/24536-military-families-and-veterans-more-likely-to-lose-money-to-scams" target="_blank">2020 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report</a>
 indicated veterans reported a median loss of $133, military spouses 
reported a median $132 loss, and active duty service members reported a 
median loss of $269 – all of which were higher than the $115 median loss
 reported across all consumers in 2020.

In the wake of COVID-19, the <a href="https://bbb.org/employmentscams" target="_blank">Employment Scams Report</a>,
 which surveyed 10,670 U.S. and Canadian consumers who reported 
encountering an employment scam in the last three years, found that 
nearly three-quarters of those who lost money had trouble paying their 
monthly bills and more than half were unemployed. The top reason victims
 engaged with the scammer was the ability to work from home – a critical
 need of those balancing family obligations and unpredictable PCOS 
moves. Flexibility was also noted as a top reason for engaging in these 
opportunities.

The 2019 <a href="https://www.bbb.org/militaryreport" target="_blank">Military Consumers and Marketplace Trust</a> report, published with support from the <a href="https://www.ambahq.org/" target="_blank">Association of Military Banks of America</a>,
 highlighted some of the unique challenges and key risk factors faced by
 military and veteran families, especially in regard to employment 
scams. A cumulative look of self-reported data in the Employment Scams 
Report between February 2016 and May 2020 shows that employment scams 
are even riskier than previously reported; 19.2% of military spouse and 
16.6% of veterans encountering the scam reported a financial loss, 
compared with 15.5% for non-military consumers. And for every person 
that reported losing money, at least another worked without pay, and yet
 another lost personal information that could lead to identity theft.&nbsp;

While the largest financial losses were reported by military spouses 
($1,825) and veterans ($1,905), even service members reported much 
higher median losses ($1,680) than non-military consumers ($1,000). This
 likely correlates with the 28% of survey respondents stating that they 
were looking for flexible, “gig” type employment opportunities when they
 encountered the fraudulent job.

The study showed that prevention and intervention methods can reduce 
the likelihood of a financial loss. Those who heard of employment scams 
and tactics prior to the encounter were significantly less likely to 
lose money, which reinforces the need to continue outreach about these 
risky scams. In addition, respondents reported that interventions by 
bank tellers and retail employees were very helpful in convincing them 
to walk away before losing money; 13% of survey respondents said an 
organization, company or agency employee tried to intervene and stop the
 scam – and 69% of the time, they were successful in their efforts.&nbsp;

As soldiers return to civilian life and re-enter the workforce, they 
face unique difficulties. Some veterans find challenges in applying for 
education benefits, navigating disability claims or searching for 
employment. Finding trustworthy sources is the best way to avoid scams. 
BBB recommends beginning with these organizations:

For tips on how to avoid employment scams, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/employmentscams" target="_blank">BBB.org/EmploymentScams</a>.

To read the Military Consumers and Marketplace Trust report, visit <a href="https://www.bbb.org/militaryreport" target="_blank">BBB.org/MilitaryReport</a>.

To report a scam, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>.

For more information about BBB’s Military and Veterans Initiative and consumer resources, visit <a href="https://www.bbb.org/military" target="_blank">BBB.org/Military</a>.

BBB Serving the Heart of Texas contributed to this article.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBA recent <a href="https://bbb.org/employmentscams" target="_blank">Better Business Bureau (BBB) report</a>
 shed light on those most impacted by employment scams: military spouses
 and veterans. Military spouses and veterans were both more likely to be
 victimized than non-military consumers, and more notably, the median 
dollar loss was significantly higher – nearly double – than those 
reported by non-military consumers.Employment scams were the #1 riskiest scam in 2018 and 2019 according
 to the BBB Risk Index, which measures exposure, susceptibility, and 
monetary loss based on reports to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>.
 This was true for both the overall consumer population as well as 
military consumers specifically. When broken out by military 
demographic, employment scams are the most risky scam for military 
spouses and the second most risky scam for veterans. The <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/24536-military-families-and-veterans-more-likely-to-lose-money-to-scams" target="_blank">2020 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report</a>
 indicated veterans reported a median loss of $133, military spouses 
reported a median $132 loss, and active duty service members reported a 
median loss of $269 – all of which were higher than the $115 median loss
 reported across all consumers in 2020.In the wake of COVID-19, the <a href="https://bbb.org/employmentscams" target="_blank">Employment Scams Report</a>,
 which surveyed 10,670 U.S. and Canadian consumers who reported 
encountering an employment scam in the last three years, found that 
nearly three-quarters of those who lost money had trouble paying their 
monthly bills and more than half were unemployed. The top reason victims
 engaged with the scammer was the ability to work from home – a critical
 need of those balancing family obligations and unpredictable PCOS 
moves. Flexibility was also noted as a top reason for engaging in these 
opportunities.The 2019 <a href="https://www.bbb.org/militaryreport" target="_blank">Military Consumers and Marketplace Trust</a> report, published with support from the <a href="https://www.ambahq.org/" target="_blank">Association of Military Banks of America</a>,
 highlighted some of the unique challenges and key risk factors faced by
 military and veteran families, especially in regard to employment 
scams. A cumulative look of self-reported data in the Employment Scams 
Report between February 2016 and May 2020 shows that employment scams 
are even riskier than previously reported; 19.2% of military spouse and 
16.6% of veterans encountering the scam reported a financial loss, 
compared with 15.5% for non-military consumers. And for every person 
that reported losing money, at least another worked without pay, and yet
 another lost personal information that could lead to identity theft.&nbsp;While the largest financial losses were reported by military spouses 
($1,825) and veterans ($1,905), even service members reported much 
higher median losses ($1,680) than non-military consumers ($1,000). This
 likely correlates with the 28% of survey respondents stating that they 
were looking for flexible, “gig” type employment opportunities when they
 encountered the fraudulent job.The study showed that prevention and intervention methods can reduce 
the likelihood of a financial loss. Those who heard of employment scams 
and tactics prior to the encounter were significantly less likely to 
lose money, which reinforces the need to continue outreach about these 
risky scams. In addition, respondents reported that interventions by 
bank tellers and retail employees were very helpful in convincing them 
to walk away before losing money; 13% of survey respondents said an 
organization, company or agency employee tried to intervene and stop the
 scam – and 69% of the time, they were successful in their efforts.&nbsp;As soldiers return to civilian life and re-enter the workforce, they 
face unique difficulties. Some veterans find challenges in applying for 
education benefits, navigating disability claims or searching for 
employment. Finding trustworthy sources is the best way to avoid scams. 
BBB recommends beginning with these organizations:<ul>
 <li>BBB Military and Veteran Consumer Information. <a href="https://www.bbbmarketplacetrust.org/military-and-veterans-initiative" target="_blank">BBB Military and Veteran Consumer Information</a> offers free consumer education and financial literacy resources for military families and veterans.</li><li>U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (V.A.). <a href="https://www.va.gov/" target="_blank">VA.gov</a>,
 the official website for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, is a 
hub for materials on every aspect that may impact the transition to 
civilian life. Information on education benefits, pensions and life 
insurance can all be found on the Veterans Affairs official website.</li><li>Veteran Employment Services Office (VESO). <a href="https://www.vaforvets.va.gov/vaforvets/veso/Pages/default.asp" target="_blank">VESO</a>
 offers career opportunity resources within the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, assisting in the transition from active duty to civilian life.</li><li>USA Military Assistance. Like the V.A., USA 
Military Assistance provides guidance in a wide variety of areas. For 
those on active duty, military tax guidance and free credit monitoring 
can also be found at <a href="https://www.usa.gov/military-assistance" target="_blank">usa.gov/Military-Assistance</a>.</li><li>Veterans Health Administration. An extension of the V.A., <a href="https://www.va.gov/health/" target="_blank">the Veterans Health Administration</a>
 is a health care system specifically for veterans. The administration 
also offers resources for veterans during the COVID-19 crisis.</li><li>Canadian Resources: Services and benefits for members of the Canadian Armed forces can be found <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/government/publicservice/benefitsmilitary.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng" target="_blank">Veterans Affairs Canada</a> is a resource for those who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces or Royal Canadian Mounted Police.</li>
 </ul>For tips on how to avoid employment scams, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/employmentscams" target="_blank">BBB.org/EmploymentScams</a>.To read the Military Consumers and Marketplace Trust report, visit <a href="https://www.bbb.org/militaryreport" target="_blank">BBB.org/MilitaryReport</a>.To report a scam, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>.For more information about BBB’s Military and Veterans Initiative and consumer resources, visit <a href="https://www.bbb.org/military" target="_blank">BBB.org/Military</a>.BBB Serving the Heart of Texas contributed to this article.

Military spouses, veterans report highest losses to employment scams

SALINA—Law enforcement authorities served&nbsp; multiple narcotics-related search warrants Wednesday in the Salina area and made three arrests.&nbsp;

After an investigation that lasted several months, the I-135/I-70 Drug Task Force with assistance from the KBI and KHP served seven narcotics-related search warrants at 2130 E. Crawford No. 211, 1800 S. Broadway A, 703 W. Cloud, 703.5 W. Cloud, 765 Commanche, 620 Jameson and 1601 Gypsum, according to a media release.

Police booked Charles Anthony Adams, 41, 2130 E. Crawford Street #211 on requested charges of Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Possession of methamphetamine and Possession of drug proceeds.

Police booked Reginald Treville Benoit Sr., 36, 620 Jameson Avenue on requested charges of Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Possession of methamphetamine and Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute

Police booked Angie Marie Allison, 45, 703.5 W. Cloud Street in requested charges of Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and Possession of methamphetamine

During the searches, approximately one ounce of methamphetamine, an ounce of cocaine, one semi-automatic handgun, and more than $15,000 in currency were seized, according to information from the police department. 

SALINA—Law enforcement authorities served&nbsp; multiple narcotics-related search warrants Wednesday in the Salina area and made three arrests.&nbsp;After an investigation that lasted several months, the I-135/I-70 Drug Task Force with assistance from the KBI and KHP served seven narcotics-related search warrants at 2130 E. Crawford No. 211, 1800 S. Broadway A, 703 W. Cloud, 703.5 W. Cloud, 765 Commanche, 620 Jameson and 1601 Gypsum, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636582656617.jpeg" alt="Charles Anthony Adams- photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Charles Anthony Adams- photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Police booked Charles Anthony Adams, 41, 2130 E. Crawford Street #211 on requested charges of Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Possession of methamphetamine and Possession of drug proceeds.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636582720930.jpeg" alt="Reginald Treville Benoit Sr.-photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Reginald Treville Benoit Sr.-photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Police booked Reginald Treville Benoit Sr., 36, 620 Jameson Avenue on requested charges of Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Possession of methamphetamine and Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636582768426.jpeg" alt="Angie Marie Allison photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Angie Marie Allison photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Police booked Angie Marie Allison, 45, 703.5 W. Cloud Street in requested charges of Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and Possession of methamphetamineDuring the searches, approximately one ounce of methamphetamine, an ounce of cocaine, one semi-automatic handgun, and more than $15,000 in currency were seized, according to information from the police department.

3 jailed in Kansas following drug task force investigation

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The prosecution has finished presenting evidence in the trial of a white Kansas City police officer charged with fatally shooting a Black man in a case that rests on arguments that police planted evidence.

Crime scene technicians and a roommate were among the witnesses to testify Tuesday in the involuntary manslaughter trial of Eric DeValkenaere.

He also is charged with armed criminal action in the death of 26-year-old Cameron Lamb, who was parking a pickup truck in his backyard when he was shot. Officers went to Lamb's home in December 2019 while investigating a report that a pickup was seen chasing a car after a crash.

DeValkenaere said that he fired after Lamb pointed a gun at another detective, Troy Schwalm.

Prosecutors said that before he was shot, Lamb had his left hand on the truck’s steering wheel and his cellphone in his right hand.

Lamb's roommate testified that the gun found near Lamb's body was normally kept on a staircase. Crime scene technicians also testified they conducted a “cursory” examination of the body at the scene, but did not find two bullets in Lamb’s pocket until after his body was taken later to the medical examiner's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592994941014.png" alt="DeValkenaere photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>DeValkenaere photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — The prosecution has finished presenting evidence in the trial of a white Kansas City police officer charged with fatally shooting a Black man in a case that rests on arguments that police planted evidence.Crime scene technicians and a roommate were among the witnesses to testify Tuesday in the involuntary manslaughter trial of Eric DeValkenaere.He also is charged with armed criminal action in the death of 26-year-old Cameron Lamb, who was parking a pickup truck in his backyard when he was shot. Officers went to Lamb's home in December 2019 while investigating a report that a pickup was seen chasing a car after a crash.DeValkenaere said that he fired after Lamb pointed a gun at another detective, Troy Schwalm.Prosecutors said that before he was shot, Lamb had his left hand on the truck’s steering wheel and his cellphone in his right hand.Lamb's roommate testified that the gun found near Lamb's body was normally kept on a staircase. Crime scene technicians also testified they conducted a “cursory” examination of the body at the scene, but did not find two bullets in Lamb’s pocket until after his body was taken later to the medical examiner's office.

Kansas City cop says fatal shooting of Black man saved partner

Updated 5 p.m. Nov. 15&nbsp;to clarify Austin no longer works for the Kansas Health Institute.

Updated 5 p.m. Nov. 15&nbsp;to clarify Austin no longer works for the Kansas Health Institute.By NICK GOSNELLHutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Republican candidate for Kansas State Treasurer and economist Michael Austin is pleased to see both parties supporting tax cuts on food, but the discussion shouldn't end there."I love seeing bipartisan efforts to lower taxes," Austin said. "Kansas has a history with tax cuts. Largely, it hasn't been positive. With its tendency to always raise the budget, I really think that this time around, we have to make sure that we lower taxes the right way. I think the only way to cut taxes is to find and cut wasteful spending."Austin's hope is that state government looks deeper than today's bank balance in determining whether tax relief is sustainable."With this food sales tax cut, I think there's a current conversation that the state government can use its excess tax revenues as a partial pay for, for this food sales tax reduction," Austin said. "I'm here to say that I think that move is dangerous and I think it risks raising taxes in the future."It's also important for policymakers not to use federal infrastructure dollars that are one-time use to make this happen."A fiscally responsible budget means before you make permanent changes to tax revenue, it has to be supported by permanent changes to spending," Austin said. "In the aftermath of the Great Recession, Kansas government did the exact opposite. Kansas coffers were flush with federal cash, so Democrat Governor Mark Parkinson used that one time money to support permanent budget expenditures. Guess what? When that federal money ended, his administration had to take a hatchet to the budget and then raised sales tax."Austin has nearly a decade of experience as a free-market economist and scholar. He served as Chief Economist for two Republican Governors.Cover image courtesy Pixabay