By BLAISE MESA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/2022-02-08/family-and-friends-who-take-on-foster-kids-in-kansas-say-they-need-more-support-from-the-state">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA, Kansas — Twila Lasiter worked in a special needs 
foster home for more than two decades. That taught her how hard the 
foster care system can be on children.

When a family member’s child entered the system, she took on the job of being a kinship foster parent. 

Kinship
 placements put children with family members or close family friends, 
like coaches or teachers, instead of a foster home with strangers. It is
 seen as a better alternative to a regular placement because children 
are with people they are more familiar with, often in the communities 
that they know. 

But kinship parents in Kansas say they can feel 
exploited by the system, dumping monumental responsibilities on families
 without the backing they need to look after children in crisis. They 
say placements are rushed, they are offered little help once the child 
is in the home and that children often stay in their homes years longer 
than expected. 

Lasiter learned only after taking the children 
that they had multiple court appointments in the next few days. The 
courthouse was two hours away, yet the social worker never checked to 
see if Lasiter had a car or driver’s license and whether she had to 
work. 

“It was extremely rushed,” she said. “It's pretty much, ‘Here are these kids, you take care of them and forget that we exist.’”

Lasiter struggled to get a psychological evaluation even though the children’s needs were documented. 

Eventually,
 she wanted to become a licensed foster home so she would go through 
training and be better prepared to care for the children. Licensed 
foster parents also get paid more to cover their costs. Her social 
worker told her licensing wasn’t required and didn’t help her get 
licensed. Eventually, Lasiter got it on her own. 

Because kinship 
parents are paid less Lasiter thinks the state is rushing placements to 
kin to “save money in the long run.” The state denied any financial 
motivation. 

Some of the private contractors that handle kinship placements said they have heard similar complaints before. 

Programs
 available to parents do vary by agency, but support groups for parents,
 day care assistance and transportation help can be available. Some 
agencies are hiring more managerial and support staff to focus 
specifically on kinship placements. 

Evan Wood, director of 
kinship care with KVC Kansas, said his department had seven workers and 
now employs 39 people to work on kinship cases and is trying to hire 
five more. He said that’s allowed staff to check in with parents more 
frequently and advocate for their needs. 

“(KVC Kansas) has found 
that we need to invest more and more in supporting those families,” Wood
 said. “We don’t live in a perfect world where I think all those things 
could be completely addressed, but we want to do our best and we want to
 hear that feedback.” 

Statewide, the Department for Children and 
Families partnered with the Children's Alliance of Kansas to create an 
online training program called Kinship Origins.

Parents can spend 15 minutes or multiple hours taking the online 
training, said Cris Moody, the training program manager for Children’s 
Alliance. It has video interviews from other foster parents, slides that
 help parents through problems they may encounter and includes 
information on the basics of the child welfare system.

“Origins is
 the starting point,” he said. “It’s where parents can turn to first and
 hopefully start to answer some of those questions.”

The changes 
and upcoming developments do address some foster parent concerns, but 
Stephanie West-Potter remains skeptical. West-Potter is the chair of the
 Kansas Foster Accountability and Advisory Board. The group was created 
as part of a settlement of a lawsuit that accused DCF of neglecting 
foster children. 

She said the additional support is good, but she
 has not seen it working in practice. West-Potter still hears parent 
complaints even though some of the support programs are in place.

“We’re all just in a pretty bad place right now,” she said.

Kansas
 wants to increase the number of kinship placements in the coming years.
 Currently, about half of children were placed in family foster homes 
while 42% were placed with family or close friends —kinship placements. 
DCF wants to increase kinship until it accounts for 50% of placements.

Blaise
 Mesa reports on criminal justice and social services for the Kansas 
News Service in Topeka. You can follow him on Twitter @Blaise_Mesa. 
Foster parents hoping to talk about their experiences in Kansas can 
email him at <a href="mailto:blaise@kcur.org" target="_blank">blaise@kcur.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644334001582.png" alt="Carlos Moreno/KCUR 89.3 / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Carlos Moreno/KCUR 89.3 / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By BLAISE MESA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/2022-02-08/family-and-friends-who-take-on-foster-kids-in-kansas-say-they-need-more-support-from-the-state">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA, Kansas — Twila Lasiter worked in a special needs 
foster home for more than two decades. That taught her how hard the 
foster care system can be on children.When a family member’s child entered the system, she took on the job of being a kinship foster parent. Kinship
 placements put children with family members or close family friends, 
like coaches or teachers, instead of a foster home with strangers. It is
 seen as a better alternative to a regular placement because children 
are with people they are more familiar with, often in the communities 
that they know. But kinship parents in Kansas say they can feel 
exploited by the system, dumping monumental responsibilities on families
 without the backing they need to look after children in crisis. They 
say placements are rushed, they are offered little help once the child 
is in the home and that children often stay in their homes years longer 
than expected. Lasiter learned only after taking the children 
that they had multiple court appointments in the next few days. The 
courthouse was two hours away, yet the social worker never checked to 
see if Lasiter had a car or driver’s license and whether she had to 
work. “It was extremely rushed,” she said. “It's pretty much, ‘Here are these kids, you take care of them and forget that we exist.’”Lasiter struggled to get a psychological evaluation even though the children’s needs were documented. Eventually,
 she wanted to become a licensed foster home so she would go through 
training and be better prepared to care for the children. Licensed 
foster parents also get paid more to cover their costs. Her social 
worker told her licensing wasn’t required and didn’t help her get 
licensed. Eventually, Lasiter got it on her own. Because kinship 
parents are paid less Lasiter thinks the state is rushing placements to 
kin to “save money in the long run.” The state denied any financial 
motivation. Some of the private contractors that handle kinship placements said they have heard similar complaints before. Programs
 available to parents do vary by agency, but support groups for parents,
 day care assistance and transportation help can be available. Some 
agencies are hiring more managerial and support staff to focus 
specifically on kinship placements. Evan Wood, director of 
kinship care with KVC Kansas, said his department had seven workers and 
now employs 39 people to work on kinship cases and is trying to hire 
five more. He said that’s allowed staff to check in with parents more 
frequently and advocate for their needs. “(KVC Kansas) has found 
that we need to invest more and more in supporting those families,” Wood
 said. “We don’t live in a perfect world where I think all those things 
could be completely addressed, but we want to do our best and we want to
 hear that feedback.” Statewide, the Department for Children and 
Families partnered with the Children's Alliance of Kansas to create an 
online training program called Kinship Origins.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644334077882.png" alt="The Origins training program is less than a year old, but the next iteration of it could be coming soon. " />
 <figcaption>The Origins training program is less than a year old, but the next iteration of it could be coming soon. </figcaption>
 </figure>Parents can spend 15 minutes or multiple hours taking the online 
training, said Cris Moody, the training program manager for Children’s 
Alliance. It has video interviews from other foster parents, slides that
 help parents through problems they may encounter and includes 
information on the basics of the child welfare system.“Origins is
 the starting point,” he said. “It’s where parents can turn to first and
 hopefully start to answer some of those questions.”The changes 
and upcoming developments do address some foster parent concerns, but 
Stephanie West-Potter remains skeptical. West-Potter is the chair of the
 Kansas Foster Accountability and Advisory Board. The group was created 
as part of a settlement of a lawsuit that accused DCF of neglecting 
foster children. She said the additional support is good, but she
 has not seen it working in practice. West-Potter still hears parent 
complaints even though some of the support programs are in place.“We’re all just in a pretty bad place right now,” she said.Kansas
 wants to increase the number of kinship placements in the coming years.
 Currently, about half of children were placed in family foster homes 
while 42% were placed with family or close friends —kinship placements. 
DCF wants to increase kinship until it accounts for 50% of placements.Blaise
 Mesa reports on criminal justice and social services for the Kansas 
News Service in Topeka. You can follow him on Twitter @Blaise_Mesa. 
Foster parents hoping to talk about their experiences in Kansas can 
email him at <a href="mailto:blaise@kcur.org" target="_blank">blaise@kcur.org</a>.

Family, friends taking in Kan. foster kids say they need more support

Stacker has compiled a list of the Top 10 NFL draft picks hailing from the state of Kansas.

Click <a href="https://stacker.com/kansas/highest-nfl-draft-picks-kansas">HERE</a> to see who made the list.

Stacker has compiled a list of the Top 10 NFL draft picks hailing from the state of Kansas.Click <a href="https://stacker.com/kansas/highest-nfl-draft-picks-kansas">HERE</a> to see who made the list.

Who are the highest NFL drafts picks from the state of Kansas?

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A police officer and suspect were taken to the hospital Friday with minor injuries after the driver of a fleeing vehicle intentional hit a police vehicle in Kansas City, authorities said.

The incident began when officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle at a La Quinta Inn, said Donna Drake, spokeswoman for the police department. The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article258332083.html">reported&nbsp;</a>that responding officers found a van that may have been involved in a shots fired call earlier that day.

Its driver fled with officers in pursuit. The suspect swerved across lanes on I-435, striking a police vehicle which was on the side of the highway and not actively involved in the pursuit, Drake said.

The chase continued until the vehicle became disabled on an exit ramp. Police captured the suspect after a brief foot chase.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A police officer and suspect were taken to the hospital Friday with minor injuries after the driver of a fleeing vehicle intentional hit a police vehicle in Kansas City, authorities said.The incident began when officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle at a La Quinta Inn, said Donna Drake, spokeswoman for the police department. The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article258332083.html">reported&nbsp;</a>that responding officers found a van that may have been involved in a shots fired call earlier that day.Its driver fled with officers in pursuit. The suspect swerved across lanes on I-435, striking a police vehicle which was on the side of the highway and not actively involved in the pursuit, Drake said.The chase continued until the vehicle became disabled on an exit ramp. Police captured the suspect after a brief foot chase.

Kansas City police officer, suspect injured during chase

By DAVID CRARY and PETER SMITH, Associated Press

By the thousands, Americans have been seeking religious exemptions in order to circumvent COVID-19 vaccine mandates, but generally they are doing so without the encouragement of major denominations and prominent religious leaders.

From the Vatican, Pope Francis has defended the vaccines as “the most reasonable solution to the pandemic.” The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America declared categorically that its followers would not be offered religious exemptions. Robert Jeffress, the conservative pastor of a Baptist megachurch in Dallas, voiced similar sentiments.

“Since there is no credible biblical argument against vaccines, we have refused to offer exemptions to the handful of people who have requested them,” Jeffress told The Associated Press via email. “People may have strong medical or political objections to government-mandated vaccines, but just because those objections are strongly felt does not elevate them to a religious belief that should be accommodated.”

Rabbi Sholom Lipskar of The Shul of Bal Harbour, an Orthodox synagogue in Surfside,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/florida">Florida</a>, says he tells congregation members that vaccination should be a matter of free choice.

“But I always recommend that they get a medical opinion from a competent professional,” he added. “In a serious matter, they should get two concurring medical opinions.”

Within the U.S. Catholic Church, there are divisions – even though Pope Francis has been clear in his support for vaccinations. While some bishops have forbidden their priests from assisting in seeking exemptions, other bishops and priests have provided template letters for people claiming conscientious objections from the vaccines on Catholic grounds.

“We have had many requests and have helped quite a number process their letter/request,” the Rev. Bob Stec of St. Ambrose Catholic Parish in Brunswick,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/ohio">Ohio</a>, said via email.

“Vaccination is not a universal obligation and a person must obey the judgment of his or her own informed and certain God-given conscience,” says one of the letters provided by Stec. “If a Catholic comes to an informed and sure judgment in conscience that he or she should not receive a vaccine, then the Catholic Church acknowledges that the person … has the right to refuse the vaccine.”

It’s different in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-jersey">New Jersey</a>’s Archdiocese of Newark, which has advised its priests not to support religious exemptions for their parishioners.

“I have been asked about six times and have declined,” said the Rev. Alexander Santora, pastor of Our Lady of Grace &amp; St. Joseph Parish in Hoboken.

Candice Buchbinder, a spokesperson for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, said the denomination is currently studying the question of religious exemptions. She noted that previous ELCA documents opposed broad religious exemptions and viewed medicine as “a gift of God for the good of the community.”

Even before the pandemic, the Episcopal Church’s Executive Council made clear its stance – adopting a resolution in June 2019 calling for stronger government vaccination mandates.

“The Executive Council recognizes no claim of theological or religious exemption from vaccination for our members,” the resolution said.

However, someone from a denomination that encourages vaccines can still seek an exemption based on individual conscience, said Bruce Ledewitz, a law professor at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

Ledewitz said he would advise a client wanting a religious exemption to say simply, “I have prayed about this, and I have come to the conclusion that God does not want me to take this vaccine.”

Employers have adopted widely varying approaches to such arguments – some granting many exemptions while others, including the U.S. military services, have granted very few.

While reasons for seeking religious exemptions vary, many Christians have cited the COVID-19 vaccines’ remote connection to past abortions. Laboratory-grown cell lines descended from fetuses that were aborted decades ago were used to test the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and to grow viruses used to manufacture the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine. None of those vaccines contain fetal cells.

The Vatican has stated that receiving these COVID-19 vaccines is morally acceptable. While it opposes abortion-related research, it said any vaccine recipient is not culpable for involvement in it, given how remote they are from the abortions involved.

While the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has echoed the Vatican teaching, several bishops have assisted people seeking religious exemptions. So has the National Catholic Bioethics Center, a think tank with prominent bishops on its board.

The center’s template letter says individual Catholics may interpret church teachings to conclude that it’s wrong for them to accept any medical product with a connection to abortion.

The Rev. Tad Pacholczyk, ethicist and director of education at the center, noted that the Vatican specifies that vaccines “must be voluntary.”

The church “strongly encourages the safeguarding of conscience rights” he said in a statement, criticizing a “one size fits all” approach to employer mandates.

“Such decisions properly belong in the hands of the individual patient, who can assess his or her on-the-ground situation more meaningfully than any federal agency, politician or employer,” he said. “Conscience exemptions to vaccine mandates need to be liberally available not only to Catholics but to all individuals.”

The claiming of religious exemptions frustrates some who suspect there are non-religious motivations.

“There is no distinctively Catholic objection to receiving any of the COVID-19 vaccines available,” said Michael Deem, assistant professor of bioethics and human genetics at the University of Pittsburgh.

He said the Vatican has provided detailed moral guidance on the vaccines’ acceptability — considering such things as the lack of alternative vaccines and the benefits of corralling a deadly pandemic.

The relatively low vaccination rate among white evangelicals frustrates Curtis Chang, a theologian whose Redeeming Babel organization launched a Christians and the Vaccine project with evangelical and health-care groups, promoting the COVID-19 vaccines on biblical principles.

Seeking religious exemptions for many “is a hijacking of religion to justify political or cultural stances, and that’s very dangerous,” Chang said. “There is no genuine religious reason for seeking an exemption, especially from employer mandates."

He knows of pastors who favor vaccines but are pressured by congregants to give them letters justifying their vaccine refusal on religious grounds. “I’m encouraging pastors not to give in to that.”

The move for such exemptions is “a danger ultimately to the long-term cause of religious liberty,” he said, because employers and courts may discount the sincerity of employees when they face genuine situations where their faith needs to be accommodated.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1614116068039.png" alt="COVID vaccination clinic photo courtesy MDHSS" />
 <figcaption>COVID vaccination clinic photo courtesy MDHSS</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVID CRARY and PETER SMITH, Associated PressBy the thousands, Americans have been seeking religious exemptions in order to circumvent COVID-19 vaccine mandates, but generally they are doing so without the encouragement of major denominations and prominent religious leaders.From the Vatican, Pope Francis has defended the vaccines as “the most reasonable solution to the pandemic.” The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America declared categorically that its followers would not be offered religious exemptions. Robert Jeffress, the conservative pastor of a Baptist megachurch in Dallas, voiced similar sentiments.“Since there is no credible biblical argument against vaccines, we have refused to offer exemptions to the handful of people who have requested them,” Jeffress told The Associated Press via email. “People may have strong medical or political objections to government-mandated vaccines, but just because those objections are strongly felt does not elevate them to a religious belief that should be accommodated.”Rabbi Sholom Lipskar of The Shul of Bal Harbour, an Orthodox synagogue in Surfside,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/florida">Florida</a>, says he tells congregation members that vaccination should be a matter of free choice.“But I always recommend that they get a medical opinion from a competent professional,” he added. “In a serious matter, they should get two concurring medical opinions.”Within the U.S. Catholic Church, there are divisions – even though Pope Francis has been clear in his support for vaccinations. While some bishops have forbidden their priests from assisting in seeking exemptions, other bishops and priests have provided template letters for people claiming conscientious objections from the vaccines on Catholic grounds.“We have had many requests and have helped quite a number process their letter/request,” the Rev. Bob Stec of St. Ambrose Catholic Parish in Brunswick,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/ohio">Ohio</a>, said via email.“Vaccination is not a universal obligation and a person must obey the judgment of his or her own informed and certain God-given conscience,” says one of the letters provided by Stec. “If a Catholic comes to an informed and sure judgment in conscience that he or she should not receive a vaccine, then the Catholic Church acknowledges that the person … has the right to refuse the vaccine.”It’s different in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-jersey">New Jersey</a>’s Archdiocese of Newark, which has advised its priests not to support religious exemptions for their parishioners.“I have been asked about six times and have declined,” said the Rev. Alexander Santora, pastor of Our Lady of Grace &amp; St. Joseph Parish in Hoboken.Candice Buchbinder, a spokesperson for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, said the denomination is currently studying the question of religious exemptions. She noted that previous ELCA documents opposed broad religious exemptions and viewed medicine as “a gift of God for the good of the community.”Even before the pandemic, the Episcopal Church’s Executive Council made clear its stance – adopting a resolution in June 2019 calling for stronger government vaccination mandates.“The Executive Council recognizes no claim of theological or religious exemption from vaccination for our members,” the resolution said.However, someone from a denomination that encourages vaccines can still seek an exemption based on individual conscience, said Bruce Ledewitz, a law professor at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.Ledewitz said he would advise a client wanting a religious exemption to say simply, “I have prayed about this, and I have come to the conclusion that God does not want me to take this vaccine.”Employers have adopted widely varying approaches to such arguments – some granting many exemptions while others, including the U.S. military services, have granted very few.While reasons for seeking religious exemptions vary, many Christians have cited the COVID-19 vaccines’ remote connection to past abortions. Laboratory-grown cell lines descended from fetuses that were aborted decades ago were used to test the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and to grow viruses used to manufacture the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine. None of those vaccines contain fetal cells.The Vatican has stated that receiving these COVID-19 vaccines is morally acceptable. While it opposes abortion-related research, it said any vaccine recipient is not culpable for involvement in it, given how remote they are from the abortions involved.While the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has echoed the Vatican teaching, several bishops have assisted people seeking religious exemptions. So has the National Catholic Bioethics Center, a think tank with prominent bishops on its board.The center’s template letter says individual Catholics may interpret church teachings to conclude that it’s wrong for them to accept any medical product with a connection to abortion.The Rev. Tad Pacholczyk, ethicist and director of education at the center, noted that the Vatican specifies that vaccines “must be voluntary.”The church “strongly encourages the safeguarding of conscience rights” he said in a statement, criticizing a “one size fits all” approach to employer mandates.“Such decisions properly belong in the hands of the individual patient, who can assess his or her on-the-ground situation more meaningfully than any federal agency, politician or employer,” he said. “Conscience exemptions to vaccine mandates need to be liberally available not only to Catholics but to all individuals.”The claiming of religious exemptions frustrates some who suspect there are non-religious motivations.“There is no distinctively Catholic objection to receiving any of the COVID-19 vaccines available,” said Michael Deem, assistant professor of bioethics and human genetics at the University of Pittsburgh.He said the Vatican has provided detailed moral guidance on the vaccines’ acceptability — considering such things as the lack of alternative vaccines and the benefits of corralling a deadly pandemic.The relatively low vaccination rate among white evangelicals frustrates Curtis Chang, a theologian whose Redeeming Babel organization launched a Christians and the Vaccine project with evangelical and health-care groups, promoting the COVID-19 vaccines on biblical principles.Seeking religious exemptions for many “is a hijacking of religion to justify political or cultural stances, and that’s very dangerous,” Chang said. “There is no genuine religious reason for seeking an exemption, especially from employer mandates."He knows of pastors who favor vaccines but are pressured by congregants to give them letters justifying their vaccine refusal on religious grounds. “I’m encouraging pastors not to give in to that.”The move for such exemptions is “a danger ultimately to the long-term cause of religious liberty,” he said, because employers and courts may discount the sincerity of employees when they face genuine situations where their faith needs to be accommodated.___

Many faith leaders wary of religious exemptions for vaccine

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden's puppy Commander will make his TV debut on Super Bowl Sunday.

The German shepherd will appear with Biden's wife, Jill, in a video message about pet love during Sunday's broadcast of “Puppy Bowl XVIII” on Animal Planet. The first lady's office tweeted the video Thursday.

Both contests will be held on the day before Valentine's Day, which is Monday.

“Hi there. I'm Jill Biden, here at the White House with our new puppy Commander,” the first lady says. “You know, Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays because it's all about love.”

The first lady, wearing a gray turtleneck sweater with “AMOUR” in pink letters across the front, is seated in the White House movie theater with Commander by her side.

“What's so wonderful about having pets is they bring us unconditional love, joy and comfort every day,” she adds. “All of us are wishing you a very happy Valentine's Day.”

Other footage shows the two playing in a White House hallway.

Last year, Jill Biden filmed a public service announcement focused on mask-wearing in a pandemic to air during Puppy Bowl XVII. She was surrounded in that ad by the family's German shepherds, Champ and Major.

Champ died last year; Major now lives in Delaware after behaving aggressively at the White House.

The Bidens recently welcomed a cat named Willow to the White House.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644616712398.png" alt="Commander -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Commander -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>By DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden's puppy Commander will make his TV debut on Super Bowl Sunday.The German shepherd will appear with Biden's wife, Jill, in a video message about pet love during Sunday's broadcast of “Puppy Bowl XVIII” on Animal Planet. The first lady's office tweeted the video Thursday.Both contests will be held on the day before Valentine's Day, which is Monday.“Hi there. I'm Jill Biden, here at the White House with our new puppy Commander,” the first lady says. “You know, Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays because it's all about love.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644616777097.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The first lady, wearing a gray turtleneck sweater with “AMOUR” in pink letters across the front, is seated in the White House movie theater with Commander by her side.“What's so wonderful about having pets is they bring us unconditional love, joy and comfort every day,” she adds. “All of us are wishing you a very happy Valentine's Day.”Other footage shows the two playing in a White House hallway.Last year, Jill Biden filmed a public service announcement focused on mask-wearing in a pandemic to air during Puppy Bowl XVII. She was surrounded in that ad by the family's German shepherds, Champ and Major.Champ died last year; Major now lives in Delaware after behaving aggressively at the White House.The Bidens recently welcomed a cat named Willow to the White House.

Biden's dog to make TV debut during 'Puppy Bowl'

By NICK GOSNELL Hutch Post HUTCHINSON — The supply chain issues that have rippled across the economy have hit some of Kansas smallest residents, as well, as certain types of baby formula have been hard to come by.

"We are hearing from several families that they are not able to find certain kinds of formula on the shelf," said Heather Peterson, Reno and McPherson County WIC Coordinator. "One of the things that WIC has the capability to do then, is just to change the baby's formula. A lot of times, we make changes in their formula when babies are first born and their tummies are just a little bit more tender. Then, as they get just a little bit older, we can try them back on another formula and they do just fine on it."

There are some babies that have digestive issues that require special formula. WIC does its best to help in those situations, too.

"Fortunately, WIC has the opportunity to tailor food packages with like a hundred different formulas," Peterson said. "While not every formula is appropriate for every single baby, we do have the opportunity to maybe switch to a different formula that would be really similar to the type that the baby is on right now. Another option that we've done, is we've got the capability to, if right now, they are buying it in the powder form, which is the least expensive way, but it is available in the liquid form, we would be able to make that substitution, for this short term. If the pharmacy is able to get that special formula in a different form, then we would be able to make that switch as well, right now."

Now that WIC is not doing physical checks, it makes those adjustments easier to make.

"We can actually do the vast majority of things over the phone," Peterson said. "If they've picked up all of their benefits for formula for this month, we could retailor future months of benefits. If they still have some cans of formula on their account that they haven't been able to use, then we can actually tailor that remotely and just change it on their account and they can go to the store and get a new type of formula."

The WIC has offices in most communities and office hours vary. Call them at (785) 826-6603 in Salina, (785) 776-4779 ext. 7661 in Manhattan, (785) 762-5682 in Junction City, (620) 793-1909 in Great Bend and&nbsp;(785) 628-9440 in Hays.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644670916778.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By NICK GOSNELL Hutch Post HUTCHINSON — The supply chain issues that have rippled across the economy have hit some of Kansas smallest residents, as well, as certain types of baby formula have been hard to come by. "We are hearing from several families that they are not able to find certain kinds of formula on the shelf," said Heather Peterson, Reno and McPherson County WIC Coordinator. "One of the things that WIC has the capability to do then, is just to change the baby's formula. A lot of times, we make changes in their formula when babies are first born and their tummies are just a little bit more tender. Then, as they get just a little bit older, we can try them back on another formula and they do just fine on it."There are some babies that have digestive issues that require special formula. WIC does its best to help in those situations, too."Fortunately, WIC has the opportunity to tailor food packages with like a hundred different formulas," Peterson said. "While not every formula is appropriate for every single baby, we do have the opportunity to maybe switch to a different formula that would be really similar to the type that the baby is on right now. Another option that we've done, is we've got the capability to, if right now, they are buying it in the powder form, which is the least expensive way, but it is available in the liquid form, we would be able to make that substitution, for this short term. If the pharmacy is able to get that special formula in a different form, then we would be able to make that switch as well, right now."Now that WIC is not doing physical checks, it makes those adjustments easier to make."We can actually do the vast majority of things over the phone," Peterson said. "If they've picked up all of their benefits for formula for this month, we could retailor future months of benefits. If they still have some cans of formula on their account that they haven't been able to use, then we can actually tailor that remotely and just change it on their account and they can go to the store and get a new type of formula."The WIC has offices in most communities and office hours vary. Call them at (785) 826-6603 in Salina, (785) 776-4779 ext. 7661 in Manhattan, (785) 762-5682 in Junction City, (620) 793-1909 in Great Bend and&nbsp;(785) 628-9440 in Hays.

Formula shortages causing WIC to need flexibility

KANSAS CITY– A registered sex offender was identified in two separate investigations and pleaded guilty in federal court this week to sending obscene materials to minors, according to the United State's Attorney.

Brent Deadmon, 45, Raytown, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to one count of transferring obscene material to a minor. Deadmon, a registered sex offender, has prior felony convictions for statutory sodomy and statutory rape, and prior misdemeanor convictions for sexual misconduct and furnishing child pornography to a minor.

By pleading guilty, Deadmon admitted that he sent obscene material – including pornographic images of himself – to two covert employees of the FBI, whom he believed were under the age of 16, who were involved in two separate and unrelated investigations.

Between March 8 and 29, Deadmon engaged in sexually explicit conversation on the FASTMEET application with a person he believed to be 14 years old, but who was actually an online covert employee in the FBI’s Chicago division. During those conversations, Deadmon expressed his desire in graphic terms to meet in person and have sexual contact. Deadmon provided his cell phone number and they communicated by texting from March 29 to May 1, 2021. Deadmon sent multiple pornographic images and videos of himself and others.

In a second, unrelated, investigation, Deadmon sent several pornographic images of himself and others and at least one video via the Meet24 application to a person he believed to be 15 years old, but who was actually an online covert employee in the FBI’s St. Louis division. In those conversations, from April 17 to June 7, 2021, Deadmon expressed an interest in meeting in person and offered to pay $500 to have sex with the purported 15-year-old and her 10-year-old sister.

On June 23, 2021, law enforcement officers located and arrested Deadmon. Officers found images of child sexual abuse on his cell phone.

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, the government and Deadmon mutually agree that the statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole is appropriate. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644412180402.png" alt="Deadmon photo Sex Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Deadmon photo Sex Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY– A registered sex offender was identified in two separate investigations and pleaded guilty in federal court this week to sending obscene materials to minors, according to the United State's Attorney.Brent Deadmon, 45, Raytown, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to one count of transferring obscene material to a minor. Deadmon, a registered sex offender, has prior felony convictions for statutory sodomy and statutory rape, and prior misdemeanor convictions for sexual misconduct and furnishing child pornography to a minor.By pleading guilty, Deadmon admitted that he sent obscene material – including pornographic images of himself – to two covert employees of the FBI, whom he believed were under the age of 16, who were involved in two separate and unrelated investigations.Between March 8 and 29, Deadmon engaged in sexually explicit conversation on the FASTMEET application with a person he believed to be 14 years old, but who was actually an online covert employee in the FBI’s Chicago division. During those conversations, Deadmon expressed his desire in graphic terms to meet in person and have sexual contact. Deadmon provided his cell phone number and they communicated by texting from March 29 to May 1, 2021. Deadmon sent multiple pornographic images and videos of himself and others.In a second, unrelated, investigation, Deadmon sent several pornographic images of himself and others and at least one video via the Meet24 application to a person he believed to be 15 years old, but who was actually an online covert employee in the FBI’s St. Louis division. In those conversations, from April 17 to June 7, 2021, Deadmon expressed an interest in meeting in person and offered to pay $500 to have sex with the purported 15-year-old and her 10-year-old sister.On June 23, 2021, law enforcement officers located and arrested Deadmon. Officers found images of child sexual abuse on his cell phone.Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, the government and Deadmon mutually agree that the statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole is appropriate. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

KC-area sex offender admits sending obscene material to minors

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after a traffic stop.

Just after 1:30 a.m. Thursday, a law enforcement officer with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a white 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck near SW 29th Street and South Kansas Avenue, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the investigation, a K9 Unit located illegal narcotics and both occupants had warrants for their arrests.

The driver, Steven E. Gaddis, 40, of Topeka, had two outstanding warrants for his arrest and a revoked driver’s license. Gaddis was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for his two warrants and on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license.

The passenger was identified as Ashlee A. Tosh, 32,&nbsp; of Topeka after giving a false name and date of birth. Tosh was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for her Topeka bench warrants and booked on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, identity theft and interference with law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644525727717.png" alt="Gaddis-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Gaddis-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after a traffic stop.Just after 1:30 a.m. Thursday, a law enforcement officer with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a white 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck near SW 29th Street and South Kansas Avenue, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.During the investigation, a K9 Unit located illegal narcotics and both occupants had warrants for their arrests.The driver, Steven E. Gaddis, 40, of Topeka, had two outstanding warrants for his arrest and a revoked driver’s license. Gaddis was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for his two warrants and on requested charges of&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and operating a vehicle without a valid driver’s license.The passenger was identified as Ashlee A. Tosh, 32,&nbsp; of Topeka after giving a false name and date of birth. Tosh was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for her Topeka bench warrants and booked on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, identity theft and interference with law enforcement.

Kan. woman jailed after giving fake name during traffic stop

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden told Russia’s Vladimir Putin that invading Ukraine would cause “widespread human suffering” and that the West was committed to diplomacy to end the crisis but “equally prepared for other scenarios,” the White House said Saturday. It offered no suggestion that the hourlong call diminished the threat of an imminent war in Europe.

Biden also said the United States and its allies would respond “decisively and impose swift and severe costs” if the Kremlin attacked its neighbor, according to the White House.

The two presidents spoke a day after Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, warned that U.S. intelligence shows a Russian invasion could begin within days and before the Winter Olympics in Beijing end on Feb. 20.

Russia denies it intends to invade but has massed well over 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border and has sent troops to exercises in neighboring Belarus, encircling Ukraine on three sides. U.S. officials say Russia’s buildup of firepower has reached the point where it could invade on short notice.

The conversation came at a critical moment for what has become the biggest security crisis between Russia and the West since the Cold War. U.S. officials believe they have mere days to prevent an invasion and enormous bloodshed in Ukraine. And while the U.S. and its NATO allies have no plans to send troops to Ukraine to fight Russia, an invasion and resulting punishing sanctions could reverberate far beyond the former Soviet republic, affecting energy supplies, global markets and the power balance in Europe.

“President Biden was clear with President Putin that while the United States remains prepared to engage in diplomacy, in full coordination with our Allies and partners, we are equally prepared for other scenarios,” the White House statement said.

The call was “professional and substantive” but produced “no fundamental change in the dynamic that has been unfolding now for several weeks,” according to a senior administration official who briefed reporters following the call on condition of anonymity.

The official added that it remains unclear whether Putin has made a final decision to move forward with military action.

Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s top foreign policy aide, said that while tensions have been escalating for months, in recent days “the situation has simply been brought to the point of absurdity.”

He said Biden mentioned the possible sanctions that could be imposed on Russia, but “this issue was not the focus during a fairly long conversation with the Russian leader.”

Before talking to Biden, Putin had a telephone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, who met with him in Moscow earlier in the week to try to resolve the crisis. A Kremlin summary of the call suggested that little progress was made toward cooling down the tensions.

Putin complained in the call that the United States and NATO have not responded satisfactorily to Russian demands that Ukraine be prohibited from joining the military alliance and that NATO pull back forces from Eastern Europe.

In a sign that American officials are getting ready for a worst-case scenario, the United States announced plans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-united-states-europe-russia-kyiv-ff41abf90650aa5f456cbb6aafa4c5b3">to evacuate most of its staff from the embassy</a>&nbsp;in the Ukrainian capital, and Britain joined other European nations in urging its citizens to leave Ukraine.

The timing of any possible Russian military action remained a key question.

The U.S. picked up intelligence that Russia is looking at Wednesday as a target date, according to a U.S. official familiar with the findings. The official, who was not authorized to speak publicly and did so only on condition of anonymity, would not say how definitive the intelligence was.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he told his Russian counterpart Saturday that “further Russian aggression would be met with a resolute, massive and united trans-Atlantic response.”

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tried to project calm as he observed military exercises Saturday near Crimea, the peninsula that Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014.

“We are not afraid, we’re without panic, all is under control,” he said.

Ukrainian armed forces chief commander Lt. Gen. Valeriy Zaluzhny and Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov issued a more defiant joint statement.

“We are ready to meet the enemy, and not with flowers, but with Stingers, Javelins and NLAWs” — anti-tank and -aircraft weapons, they said. “Welcome to hell!”

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, also held telephone discussions on Saturday.

Further U.S.-Russia tensions arose on Saturday when the Defense Ministry summoned the U.S. embassy’s military attache after it said the navy detected an American submarine in Russian waters near the Kuril Islands in the Pacific. The submarine declined orders to leave, but departed after the navy used unspecified “appropriate means,” the ministry said.

Adding to the sense of crisis, the Pentagon ordered an additional 3,000 U.S. troops to Poland to reassure allies.

The U.S. has urged all American citizens in Ukraine to leave the country immediately, and Sullivan said those who remain should not expect the U.S. military to rescue them in the event that air and rail transportation is severed after a Russian invasion.

The Biden administration has been warning for weeks that Russia could invade Ukraine soon, but U.S. officials had previously said the Kremlin would likely wait until after the Winter Games ended so as not to antagonize China.

Sullivan told reporters on Friday that U.S. intelligence shows that Russia could take invade during the Olympics. He said military action could start with missile and air attacks, followed by a ground offensive.

“Russia has all the forces it needs to conduct a major military action,” Sullivan said, adding that “Russia could choose, in very short order, to commence a major military action against Ukraine.” He said the scale of such an invasion could range from a limited incursion to a strike on Kyiv, the capital.

Russia scoffed at the U.S. talk of urgency.

“The hysteria of the White House is more indicative than ever,” said Maria Zakharova, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman. “The Anglo-Saxons need a war. At any cost. Provocations, misinformation and threats are a favorite method of solving their own problems.”

Zakharova said her country had “optimized” staffing at its own embassy in Kyiv in response to concerns about possible military actions from the Ukrainian side.

In addition to the more than 100,000 ground troops that U.S. officials say Russia has assembled along Ukraine’s eastern and southern borders, the Russians have deployed missile, air, naval and special operations forces, as well as supplies to sustain a war. This week, Russia moved six amphibious assault ships into the Black Sea, augmenting its capability to land marines on the coast.

Biden has bolstered the U.S. military presence in Europe as reassurance to allies on NATO’s eastern flank. The 3,000 additional soldiers ordered to Poland come on top of 1,700 who are on their way there. The U.S. Army also is shifting 1,000 soldiers from Germany to Romania, which like Poland shares a border with Ukraine.

Russia is demanding that the West keep former Soviet countries out of NATO. It also wants NATO to refrain from deploying weapons near its border and to roll back alliance forces from Eastern Europe — demands flatly rejected by the West.

Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine’s Kremlin-friendly leader was driven from office by a popular uprising. Moscow responded by annexing the Crimean Peninsula and then backing a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine, where fighting has killed over 14,000 people.

A 2015 peace deal brokered by France and Germany helped halt large-scale battles, but regular skirmishes have continued, and efforts to reach a political settlement have stalled.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644692713491.png" alt="Biden also said the United States and its allies would respond “decisively and impose swift and severe costs” if the Kremlin attacked its neighbor, according to the White House.-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Biden also said the United States and its allies would respond “decisively and impose swift and severe costs” if the Kremlin attacked its neighbor, according to the White House.-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden told Russia’s Vladimir Putin that invading Ukraine would cause “widespread human suffering” and that the West was committed to diplomacy to end the crisis but “equally prepared for other scenarios,” the White House said Saturday. It offered no suggestion that the hourlong call diminished the threat of an imminent war in Europe.Biden also said the United States and its allies would respond “decisively and impose swift and severe costs” if the Kremlin attacked its neighbor, according to the White House.The two presidents spoke a day after Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, warned that U.S. intelligence shows a Russian invasion could begin within days and before the Winter Olympics in Beijing end on Feb. 20.Russia denies it intends to invade but has massed well over 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border and has sent troops to exercises in neighboring Belarus, encircling Ukraine on three sides. U.S. officials say Russia’s buildup of firepower has reached the point where it could invade on short notice.The conversation came at a critical moment for what has become the biggest security crisis between Russia and the West since the Cold War. U.S. officials believe they have mere days to prevent an invasion and enormous bloodshed in Ukraine. And while the U.S. and its NATO allies have no plans to send troops to Ukraine to fight Russia, an invasion and resulting punishing sanctions could reverberate far beyond the former Soviet republic, affecting energy supplies, global markets and the power balance in Europe.“President Biden was clear with President Putin that while the United States remains prepared to engage in diplomacy, in full coordination with our Allies and partners, we are equally prepared for other scenarios,” the White House statement said.The call was “professional and substantive” but produced “no fundamental change in the dynamic that has been unfolding now for several weeks,” according to a senior administration official who briefed reporters following the call on condition of anonymity.The official added that it remains unclear whether Putin has made a final decision to move forward with military action.Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s top foreign policy aide, said that while tensions have been escalating for months, in recent days “the situation has simply been brought to the point of absurdity.”He said Biden mentioned the possible sanctions that could be imposed on Russia, but “this issue was not the focus during a fairly long conversation with the Russian leader.”Before talking to Biden, Putin had a telephone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, who met with him in Moscow earlier in the week to try to resolve the crisis. A Kremlin summary of the call suggested that little progress was made toward cooling down the tensions.Putin complained in the call that the United States and NATO have not responded satisfactorily to Russian demands that Ukraine be prohibited from joining the military alliance and that NATO pull back forces from Eastern Europe.In a sign that American officials are getting ready for a worst-case scenario, the United States announced plans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-united-states-europe-russia-kyiv-ff41abf90650aa5f456cbb6aafa4c5b3">to evacuate most of its staff from the embassy</a>&nbsp;in the Ukrainian capital, and Britain joined other European nations in urging its citizens to leave Ukraine.The timing of any possible Russian military action remained a key question.The U.S. picked up intelligence that Russia is looking at Wednesday as a target date, according to a U.S. official familiar with the findings. The official, who was not authorized to speak publicly and did so only on condition of anonymity, would not say how definitive the intelligence was.U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he told his Russian counterpart Saturday that “further Russian aggression would be met with a resolute, massive and united trans-Atlantic response.”Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tried to project calm as he observed military exercises Saturday near Crimea, the peninsula that Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014.“We are not afraid, we’re without panic, all is under control,” he said.Ukrainian armed forces chief commander Lt. Gen. Valeriy Zaluzhny and Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov issued a more defiant joint statement.“We are ready to meet the enemy, and not with flowers, but with Stingers, Javelins and NLAWs” — anti-tank and -aircraft weapons, they said. “Welcome to hell!”U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, also held telephone discussions on Saturday.Further U.S.-Russia tensions arose on Saturday when the Defense Ministry summoned the U.S. embassy’s military attache after it said the navy detected an American submarine in Russian waters near the Kuril Islands in the Pacific. The submarine declined orders to leave, but departed after the navy used unspecified “appropriate means,” the ministry said.Adding to the sense of crisis, the Pentagon ordered an additional 3,000 U.S. troops to Poland to reassure allies.The U.S. has urged all American citizens in Ukraine to leave the country immediately, and Sullivan said those who remain should not expect the U.S. military to rescue them in the event that air and rail transportation is severed after a Russian invasion.The Biden administration has been warning for weeks that Russia could invade Ukraine soon, but U.S. officials had previously said the Kremlin would likely wait until after the Winter Games ended so as not to antagonize China.Sullivan told reporters on Friday that U.S. intelligence shows that Russia could take invade during the Olympics. He said military action could start with missile and air attacks, followed by a ground offensive.“Russia has all the forces it needs to conduct a major military action,” Sullivan said, adding that “Russia could choose, in very short order, to commence a major military action against Ukraine.” He said the scale of such an invasion could range from a limited incursion to a strike on Kyiv, the capital.Russia scoffed at the U.S. talk of urgency.“The hysteria of the White House is more indicative than ever,” said Maria Zakharova, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman. “The Anglo-Saxons need a war. At any cost. Provocations, misinformation and threats are a favorite method of solving their own problems.”Zakharova said her country had “optimized” staffing at its own embassy in Kyiv in response to concerns about possible military actions from the Ukrainian side.In addition to the more than 100,000 ground troops that U.S. officials say Russia has assembled along Ukraine’s eastern and southern borders, the Russians have deployed missile, air, naval and special operations forces, as well as supplies to sustain a war. This week, Russia moved six amphibious assault ships into the Black Sea, augmenting its capability to land marines on the coast.Biden has bolstered the U.S. military presence in Europe as reassurance to allies on NATO’s eastern flank. The 3,000 additional soldiers ordered to Poland come on top of 1,700 who are on their way there. The U.S. Army also is shifting 1,000 soldiers from Germany to Romania, which like Poland shares a border with Ukraine.Russia is demanding that the West keep former Soviet countries out of NATO. It also wants NATO to refrain from deploying weapons near its border and to roll back alliance forces from Eastern Europe — demands flatly rejected by the West.Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine’s Kremlin-friendly leader was driven from office by a popular uprising. Moscow responded by annexing the Crimean Peninsula and then backing a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine, where fighting has killed over 14,000 people.A 2015 peace deal brokered by France and Germany helped halt large-scale battles, but regular skirmishes have continued, and efforts to reach a political settlement have stalled.___

Phone call: Biden warns Putin again on Ukraine invasion

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Wyandotte County will begin offering municipal photo IDs to immigrants and other vulnerable residents after county commissioners approved the move in a split vote.

 KCUR reports that the Unified Government of Wyandotte County board voted 6-4 Thursday night to offer the IDs under what was dubbed the “Safe and Welcoming Wyandotte Act.”

The measure will allow immigrants, the homeless, the elderly and others without ready access to state-issued photo IDs to get a local photo ID. The move was backed by a coalition of advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and the Immigrant Justice Advocacy Movement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644603024272.png" alt="A portion of a draft of the Safe &amp; Welcoming City Act-courtesy Unified Government of Wyandotte County and KCK" />
 <figcaption>A portion of a draft of the Safe &amp; Welcoming City Act-courtesy Unified Government of Wyandotte County and KCK</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Wyandotte County will begin offering municipal photo IDs to immigrants and other vulnerable residents after county commissioners approved the move in a split vote. KCUR reports that the Unified Government of Wyandotte County board voted 6-4 Thursday night to offer the IDs under what was dubbed the “Safe and Welcoming Wyandotte Act.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1640885581678.png" alt="KCK Mayor Tyrone Garner -courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>KCK Mayor Tyrone Garner -courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The measure will allow immigrants, the homeless, the elderly and others without ready access to state-issued photo IDs to get a local photo ID. The move was backed by a coalition of advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and the Immigrant Justice Advocacy Movement.

Kan. county to offer local IDs to immigrants, others

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hit and run accident released additional details Saturday.

Just after 6:30p.m. Friday, a truck hit a pedestrian who was crossing Troost Avenue just south of 89th Street in Kansas City.

The suspect vehicle is described as a white truck with cowl lights. May have moderate front end damage.  If you have any information, please call detectives or @KCCrimeStop where you can remain anonymous.

Police have not released the identity of the victim.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal hit and run accident and asking the public for help to locate a vehicle.

The suspect vehicle is described as a white truck with cowl lights. May have moderate front end damage. If you have any information, please call detectives or @KCCrimeStop where you can remain anonymous.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644692184907.png" alt="Another view of the suspect vehicle-photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Another view of the suspect vehicle-photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hit and run accident released additional details Saturday.Just after 6:30p.m. Friday, a truck hit a pedestrian who was crossing Troost Avenue just south of 89th Street in Kansas City.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644633133487.png" alt="Suspect vehicle photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Suspect vehicle photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>The suspect vehicle is described as a white truck with cowl lights. May have moderate front end damage. If you have any information, please call detectives or @KCCrimeStop where you can remain anonymous.Police have not released the identity of the victim.-----------KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal hit and run accident and asking the public for help to locate a vehicle.Just after 6:30p.m. Friday, a truck hit a pedestrian who was crossing Troost Avenue just south of 89th Street in Kansas City.The suspect vehicle is described as a white truck with cowl lights. May have moderate front end damage. If you have any information, please call detectives or @KCCrimeStop where you can remain anonymous.Police have not released the identity of the victim.

Update: KCPD asks for help to locate truck in fatal hit-and-run crash

TOPEKA—On Thursday, Pawnee County Sheriff Scott King and Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir met with Gov. Laura Kelly in Topeka about recent security issues at Larned State Hospital, according to a media release from Sheriff Bellendir.

The hospital has been the topic of conversation in law enforcement circles due to these security issues.

In addition to Gov. Kelly,  Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services Secretary Laura Howard, Deputy Secretary Scott Bruner, Chief of Staff Will Lawrence and Deputy Chief of Staff for the Governor, Ryan Wright attended discussion.

Sec. Howard had previously been made aware of the concerns of law enforcement and community members in Western Kansas about the situation. Sec. Howard had made note of these concerns and presented several potential solutions.

Some of the key points include opening one or more “crisis houses” in the western part of the state that would allow for trained staff to monitor a person who is in crisis until the state hospital could accept them. The secretary is looking into the possibility of acquiring unused buildings at Larned State Hospital for this purpose.

Another idea would be to create a “single point of contact” for law enforcement. This would alleviate confusion caused by talking to several different people at the facility. Sec. Howard went on to say requirements for the “catchment areas” enforced by the state may be waived in certain circumstances.

The governor’s office is also looking into expanding the “mobile competency” evaluations for some individuals. This would help alleviate the backlog at Larned.

A security audit is currently underway at Larned State Hospital and improvements in security are being scrutinized. Sec. Howard said the state hospital will be allowed to implement the necessary procedures once they are developed.

In all, Sec. Howard addressed 12 key issues of concern to the citizens of Western Kansas. Gov. Kelly was supportive of the concerns expressed. The sheriffs felt the meeting was a positive step in the right direction.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641565738678.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA—On Thursday, Pawnee County Sheriff Scott King and Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir met with Gov. Laura Kelly in Topeka about recent security issues at Larned State Hospital, according to a media release from Sheriff Bellendir.The hospital has been the topic of conversation in law enforcement circles due to these security issues.In addition to Gov. Kelly, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services Secretary Laura Howard, Deputy Secretary Scott Bruner, Chief of Staff Will Lawrence and Deputy Chief of Staff for the Governor, Ryan Wright attended discussion.Sec. Howard had previously been made aware of the concerns of law enforcement and community members in Western Kansas about the situation. Sec. Howard had made note of these concerns and presented several potential solutions.Some of the key points include opening one or more “crisis houses” in the western part of the state that would allow for trained staff to monitor a person who is in crisis until the state hospital could accept them. The secretary is looking into the possibility of acquiring unused buildings at Larned State Hospital for this purpose.Another idea would be to create a “single point of contact” for law enforcement. This would alleviate confusion caused by talking to several different people at the facility. Sec. Howard went on to say requirements for the “catchment areas” enforced by the state may be waived in certain circumstances.The governor’s office is also looking into expanding the “mobile competency” evaluations for some individuals. This would help alleviate the backlog at Larned.A security audit is currently underway at Larned State Hospital and improvements in security are being scrutinized. Sec. Howard said the state hospital will be allowed to implement the necessary procedures once they are developed.In all, Sec. Howard addressed 12 key issues of concern to the citizens of Western Kansas. Gov. Kelly was supportive of the concerns expressed. The sheriffs felt the meeting was a positive step in the right direction.

Sheriffs meet with governor on security issues at Larned State Hospital

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is set to evacuate its embassy in Kyiv as Western intelligence officials warn that a Russian invasion of Ukraine is increasingly imminent.

U.S. officials said the State Department plans to announce early Saturday that virtually all American staff at the Kyiv embassy will be required to leave ahead of a feared Russian invasion.

A small number of officials may remain in Kyiv but the vast majority of the almost 200 Americans at the embassy will be sent out or relocated to Ukraine’s far west, near the Polish border, so the U.S. can retain a diplomatic presence in the country.

The department had earlier ordered families of U.S. embassy staffers in Kyiv to leave. But it had left it to the discretion of nonessential personnel if they wanted to depart. The new move comes as Washington has ratcheted up its warnings about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, said a small number of U.S. diplomats may be relocated to Ukraine’s far west, near the border with Poland, a NATO ally, so the U.S. could retain a diplomatic presence in the country.

The Pentagon announced Friday it is sending another 3,000 combat troops to Poland to join 1,700 who already are assembling there in a demonstration of American commitment to NATO allies worried at the prospect of Russia invading Ukraine.

The additional soldiers will depart their post at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, over the next couple days and should be in Poland by early next week, according to a defense official, who provided the information under ground rules set by the Pentagon. They are the remaining elements of an infantry brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division.

Their mission will be to train and provide deterrence but not to engage in combat in Ukraine.

That announcement came shortly after Jake Sullivan, President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, issued a public warning for all American citizens in Ukraine to leave the country as soon as possible. Sullivan said Russian President Vladimir Putin could give the order to launch an invasion of Ukraine any day now.

In addition to the U.S. troops deploying to Poland, about 1,000 U.S. soldiers based in Germany are shifting to Romania in a similar mission of reassurance to a NATO ally. Also, 300 soldiers of an 18th Airborne Corps headquarters unit have arrived in Germany, commanded by Lt. Gen. Michael E. Kurilla.

The American troops are to train with host-nation forces but not enter Ukraine for any purpose.

The U.S. already has about 80,000 troops throughout Europe at permanent stations and on rotational deployments.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644673881346.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is set to evacuate its embassy in Kyiv as Western intelligence officials warn that a Russian invasion of Ukraine is increasingly imminent.U.S. officials said the State Department plans to announce early Saturday that virtually all American staff at the Kyiv embassy will be required to leave ahead of a feared Russian invasion.A small number of officials may remain in Kyiv but the vast majority of the almost 200 Americans at the embassy will be sent out or relocated to Ukraine’s far west, near the Polish border, so the U.S. can retain a diplomatic presence in the country.The State Department would not comment.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today, the <a href="https://twitter.com/StateDept?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StateDept</a> ordered non-emergency U.S. employees at the Embassy to depart due to continued reports of a Russian military build-up on the border with Ukraine, indicating potential for significant military action. <a href="https://t.co/6IgLvE4PJS">https://t.co/6IgLvE4PJS</a>&mdash; U.S. Embassy Kyiv (@USEmbassyKyiv) <a href="https://twitter.com/USEmbassyKyiv/status/1492442539072233481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The department had earlier ordered families of U.S. embassy staffers in Kyiv to leave. But it had left it to the discretion of nonessential personnel if they wanted to depart. The new move comes as Washington has ratcheted up its warnings about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine.The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, said a small number of U.S. diplomats may be relocated to Ukraine’s far west, near the border with Poland, a NATO ally, so the U.S. could retain a diplomatic presence in the country.The Pentagon announced Friday it is sending another 3,000 combat troops to Poland to join 1,700 who already are assembling there in a demonstration of American commitment to NATO allies worried at the prospect of Russia invading Ukraine.The additional soldiers will depart their post at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, over the next couple days and should be in Poland by early next week, according to a defense official, who provided the information under ground rules set by the Pentagon. They are the remaining elements of an infantry brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division.Their mission will be to train and provide deterrence but not to engage in combat in Ukraine.That announcement came shortly after Jake Sullivan, President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, issued a public warning for all American citizens in Ukraine to leave the country as soon as possible. Sullivan said Russian President Vladimir Putin could give the order to launch an invasion of Ukraine any day now.In addition to the U.S. troops deploying to Poland, about 1,000 U.S. soldiers based in Germany are shifting to Romania in a similar mission of reassurance to a NATO ally. Also, 300 soldiers of an 18th Airborne Corps headquarters unit have arrived in Germany, commanded by Lt. Gen. Michael E. Kurilla.The American troops are to train with host-nation forces but not enter Ukraine for any purpose.The U.S. already has about 80,000 troops throughout Europe at permanent stations and on rotational deployments.___

US to evacuate Ukraine embassy amid Russian invasion fears

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/10/kansas-state-representatives-former-u-s-senator-debate-merits-of-convention-to-amend-constitution/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A renewed effort to call
 a constitutional convention drew a former U.S. senator, state 
legislators, and a handful of concerned citizens to a Kansas panel 
hearing Tuesday to debate the action.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hcr5027/">HCR 5027</a>&nbsp;would,
 under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, add Kansas to a list of 
states attempting to call a convention to propose amendments imposing 
fiscal restraints on the federal government and limiting its 
jurisdiction. The resolution also calls for limited terms for members of
 Congress and other officials.

Each state could send up to 10 delegates, and each state would have one vote.&nbsp;

Proponents of the resolution argued there is a growing need for a 
rebalancing of power between the federal government and the states. 
Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum said Article V was the best avenue to 
accomplish this goal.

“I don’t think our Founding 
Fathers would be surprised that the federal government has claimed more 
than its constitutional share of power,” Santorum said. “They would be 
surprised that we have not used the most effective tool they gave us for
 curbing it.”

According to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://conventionofstates.com/">the Convention of States Action</a>,
 a group backing the idea, 17 states have applied for a convention, and 
eight more have passed a resolution in one chamber. An identical 
resolution&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/05/06/constitutional-convention-effort-falters-in-kansas-senate-after-lengthy-debate/">failed to clear the Kansas Senate</a> last year.

The U.S. Constitution requires that Congress call such a convention 
if two-thirds of all states, or 34 legislatures, apply. Previous efforts
 to pass similar resolutions have amassed simple majorities in the 
Legislature, but a 1974 amendment to the Kansas Constitution requires 
the approval of two-thirds of both chambers of the Legislature to apply.

However, Rep. Michael Houser, 
R-Columbus, warned in written testimony to the House Federal and State 
Affairs Committee that a convention of states could open the door to 
unforeseen consequences. He said the U.S. Constitution was already in 
good shape, and if people wanted to amend it, there are safer means.

“Having been in the Legislature 
for any length of time, one understands and knows that anything is 
possible in a meeting using a parliamentary format,” Houser said. “With 
enough votes, rules can be ignored, overruled, changed or new rules be 
adopted. If you have the votes when using parliamentary procedure, you 
can do anything you want.”

Opponents of the resolution worried the outcome of a constitutional convention would not reflect the will of Kansans.&nbsp;Blake
 Branson, the deputy state coordinator for Kansas Campaign for Liberty, 
echoed Houser, adding that most concerning was the wording of the 
resolution.&nbsp;

“So long as a ‘fiscal restraint’ 
or ‘limit’ of power is included in a proposed amendment, even if it is 
mere window dressing, every part of the Constitution and every issue is 
on the table,” Branson said. “At the very least, we should ensure that 
we are careful and exact with our words when altering our Constitution 
is the goal. This is a flaw too big and too significant to ignore.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644531677384.png" alt="Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum traveled to Topeka on Thursday to back a resolution calling on Kansas to join a 17 other states in applying for a convention of states to amend the federal Constitution. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Kansas Legislature YouTube)" />
 <figcaption>Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum traveled to Topeka on Thursday to back a resolution calling on Kansas to join a 17 other states in applying for a convention of states to amend the federal Constitution. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Kansas Legislature YouTube)</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/02/10/kansas-state-representatives-former-u-s-senator-debate-merits-of-convention-to-amend-constitution/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A renewed effort to call
 a constitutional convention drew a former U.S. senator, state 
legislators, and a handful of concerned citizens to a Kansas panel 
hearing Tuesday to debate the action.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hcr5027/">HCR 5027</a>&nbsp;would,
 under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, add Kansas to a list of 
states attempting to call a convention to propose amendments imposing 
fiscal restraints on the federal government and limiting its 
jurisdiction. The resolution also calls for limited terms for members of
 Congress and other officials.Each state could send up to 10 delegates, and each state would have one vote.&nbsp;Proponents of the resolution argued there is a growing need for a 
rebalancing of power between the federal government and the states. 
Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum said Article V was the best avenue to 
accomplish this goal.“I don’t think our Founding 
Fathers would be surprised that the federal government has claimed more 
than its constitutional share of power,” Santorum said. “They would be 
surprised that we have not used the most effective tool they gave us for
 curbing it.”According to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://conventionofstates.com/">the Convention of States Action</a>,
 a group backing the idea, 17 states have applied for a convention, and 
eight more have passed a resolution in one chamber. An identical 
resolution&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/05/06/constitutional-convention-effort-falters-in-kansas-senate-after-lengthy-debate/">failed to clear the Kansas Senate</a> last year.The U.S. Constitution requires that Congress call such a convention 
if two-thirds of all states, or 34 legislatures, apply. Previous efforts
 to pass similar resolutions have amassed simple majorities in the 
Legislature, but a 1974 amendment to the Kansas Constitution requires 
the approval of two-thirds of both chambers of the Legislature to apply.However, Rep. Michael Houser, 
R-Columbus, warned in written testimony to the House Federal and State 
Affairs Committee that a convention of states could open the door to 
unforeseen consequences. He said the U.S. Constitution was already in 
good shape, and if people wanted to amend it, there are safer means.“Having been in the Legislature 
for any length of time, one understands and knows that anything is 
possible in a meeting using a parliamentary format,” Houser said. “With 
enough votes, rules can be ignored, overruled, changed or new rules be 
adopted. If you have the votes when using parliamentary procedure, you 
can do anything you want.”Opponents of the resolution worried the outcome of a constitutional convention would not reflect the will of Kansans.&nbsp;Blake
 Branson, the deputy state coordinator for Kansas Campaign for Liberty, 
echoed Houser, adding that most concerning was the wording of the 
resolution.&nbsp;“So long as a ‘fiscal restraint’ 
or ‘limit’ of power is included in a proposed amendment, even if it is 
mere window dressing, every part of the Constitution and every issue is 
on the table,” Branson said. “At the very least, we should ensure that 
we are careful and exact with our words when altering our Constitution 
is the goal. This is a flaw too big and too significant to ignore.”

Kansas reps join Santorum in call for constitutional convention

WASHINGTON (AP) — COVID-19 vaccinations for children under 5 hit another monthslong delay Friday as U.S. regulators abruptly put the brakes on their efforts to speed review of the shots that Pfizer is testing for youngsters.

The Food and Drug Administration, worried about the omicron variant’s toll on kids, had taken the extraordinary step of urging Pfizer to apply for OK of the extra-low dose vaccine before it’s clear if tots will need two shots or three. The agency’s plan could have allowed vaccinations to begin within weeks.

But Friday, the FDA reversed course and said it had become clear the agency needed to wait for data on how well a third shot works for the youngest age group. Pfizer said in a statement that it expected the data by early April.

FDA’s vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks said he hoped parents would understand that the agency’s decision was part of its careful scientific review of the evidence Pfizer has submitted so far.

That information “made us realize that we needed to see data from a third dose from the ongoing trial in order to make a determination,” Marks told reporters. “We take our responsibility for reviewing these vaccines very seriously because we’re parents as well.”

The nation’s 18 million children under 5 make up the only age group not yet eligible for vaccination.

Vaccine experts had been concerned with the sudden race to evaluate Pfizer’s vaccine -- and now wonder what parents will make of the back-and-forth.

“I think they made the right decision to be careful and wait for the third-dose data,” said Dr. Jesse Goodman of Georgetown University, a former FDA vaccine chief.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635537216378.png" alt="Photo courtesy Pfizer" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Pfizer</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — COVID-19 vaccinations for children under 5 hit another monthslong delay Friday as U.S. regulators abruptly put the brakes on their efforts to speed review of the shots that Pfizer is testing for youngsters.The Food and Drug Administration, worried about the omicron variant’s toll on kids, had taken the extraordinary step of urging Pfizer to apply for OK of the extra-low dose vaccine before it’s clear if tots will need two shots or three. The agency’s plan could have allowed vaccinations to begin within weeks.But Friday, the FDA reversed course and said it had become clear the agency needed to wait for data on how well a third shot works for the youngest age group. Pfizer said in a statement that it expected the data by early April.FDA’s vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks said he hoped parents would understand that the agency’s decision was part of its careful scientific review of the evidence Pfizer has submitted so far.That information “made us realize that we needed to see data from a third dose from the ongoing trial in order to make a determination,” Marks told reporters. “We take our responsibility for reviewing these vaccines very seriously because we’re parents as well.”The nation’s 18 million children under 5 make up the only age group not yet eligible for vaccination.Vaccine experts had been concerned with the sudden race to evaluate Pfizer’s vaccine -- and now wonder what parents will make of the back-and-forth.“I think they made the right decision to be careful and wait for the third-dose data,” said Dr. Jesse Goodman of Georgetown University, a former FDA vaccine chief.“It was great to hear that there might be some promising data from two doses but it came out as ‘Hey everybody, you can expect a vaccine in a few weeks,’” he added. “I think this messaging gets very confusing for people.”It’s not the first delay. Pfizer originally had expected to know by late December if the extra-low doses worked for kids under 5 — only to face a disappointing setback. Preliminary study results showed two shots were safe and strong enough to give good protection to babies as young as 6 months. But once tots reached the preschool age — the 2- to 4-year-olds — two doses weren’t protective enough, prompting the addition of a third to the study.So it was a surprise when a few weeks ago, FDA urged Pfizer and its partner BioNTech to go ahead and apply. Next week, the agency’s independent scientific advisers were set to publicly debate if it was OK to start giving tots two shots before there was proof that a third would give them the extra needed protection — a highly unusual move.Friday, the FDA abruptly canceled that meeting, promising to hold it once Pfizer submits the third-dose evidence. Even if Pfizer completes its submission by early April, it will take the FDA and other health authorities several weeks to review and publicly vet the data.ADVERTISEMENTEarlier this week, FDA’s Marks had promised the agency wouldn’t cut corners but also noted how rapidly the pandemic was changing. Before Thanksgiving, no one had heard of omicron, by last month pediatric COVID-19 infections had hit an all-time high — and now cases are dropping fast as the latest mutant burns out.How long to wait for new vaccine data -- and how much to require -- is a difficult balancing act for the FDA. It is caught between pressure to be more proactive against a rapidly changing virus and the risk that acting too quickly may deter families already on the fence about vaccinating their children.Pfizer aims to give children as young as 6 months shots that contain one-tenth of the dose given to adults -- two shots three weeks apart followed by a third at least two months later.That’s a smaller dose than youngsters ages 5 to 11 receive, a third of the adult dose.Vaccination rates have been lower among children than in other age groups. As of last week, just 22% of kids ages 5 to 11 and just over half of 12- to 17-year-olds were fully vaccinated, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Nearly three-quarters of adults are fully vaccinated.A Kaiser Family Foundation poll taken last month found just 3 in 10 parents of children under 5 would get their youngster vaccinated as soon as shots were authorized, while about a quarter said they definitely would not.Dr. Moira Szilagyi, the pediatricians group’s president, recognized parental frustration but said in a statement that doctors were committed to “a careful, robust and transparent process to evaluate the evidence.”Dr. Natasha Burgert, a pediatrician in Overland Park, Kansas, said, “We’re just gutted. We need this protection for our kids.”She said some families likely feel relieved “because they didn’t want to make that decision without good efficacy data. Other groups of parents are just crying out, ‘Give us a choice. Show us what you’ve got and let us make a choice. Let us have access to it.”’