TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A task force formed three years ago to investigate clergy sexual abuse in Kansas Catholic dioceses has received 215 tips and opened 122 cases, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Robert Jacobs, executive officer of the KBI, reported on the work of the <a href="https://www.kansas.gov/kbi/reportClergyAbuse.shtml">agency’s Catholic Clergy Taskforce</a> this week during a hearing of a state legislative committee. He said investigators set up a phone line and email address for people to report abuse.

The task force has been working with Catholic dioceses to review almost 40,000 diocesan records since its work began in 2019, Jacobs said.

Along with considering a specific allegation, investigators are working to determine if the allegation was made to the diocese or to law enforcement “and what the follow-through was on that claim when it was initially made.”

Sen. Jeff Pittman, a Democrat from Leavenworth, questioned why no prosecutions had arisen from the investigation.

“Why, with 40,000 different records, there doesn’t seem to be any action on this?” Pittman said. “Is the pursuit not revealing anything? I mean, it seems like there’s a lot in the news about this. What’s the story?”

Jacobs replied that one issue has been that some of the alleged acts took place years ago.

“Obviously, we run into time constraints with how far back these incidents occurred,” he said.

The KBI&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/57cc36e6a1b8497b8011483585615f80">announced in early 2019</a>&nbsp;that it had set up the task force at the request of Attorney General Derek Schmidt. The task force consists of six agents who investigate abuse reports from the public and review church documents from the state’s Roman Catholic dioceses in Wichita, Salina, Dodge City and Kansas City, Kansas. It also investigates reports from the Society of St. Pius X, a breakaway Catholic group known for its traditional Latin Mass with a large branch in St. Marys in northeast Kansas.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A task force formed three years ago to investigate clergy sexual abuse in Kansas Catholic dioceses has received 215 tips and opened 122 cases, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.Robert Jacobs, executive officer of the KBI, reported on the work of the <a href="https://www.kansas.gov/kbi/reportClergyAbuse.shtml">agency’s Catholic Clergy Taskforce</a> this week during a hearing of a state legislative committee. He said investigators set up a phone line and email address for people to report abuse.The task force has been working with Catholic dioceses to review almost 40,000 diocesan records since its work began in 2019, Jacobs said.Along with considering a specific allegation, investigators are working to determine if the allegation was made to the diocese or to law enforcement “and what the follow-through was on that claim when it was initially made.”Sen. Jeff Pittman, a Democrat from Leavenworth, questioned why no prosecutions had arisen from the investigation.“Why, with 40,000 different records, there doesn’t seem to be any action on this?” Pittman said. “Is the pursuit not revealing anything? I mean, it seems like there’s a lot in the news about this. What’s the story?”Jacobs replied that one issue has been that some of the alleged acts took place years ago.“Obviously, we run into time constraints with how far back these incidents occurred,” he said.The KBI&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/57cc36e6a1b8497b8011483585615f80">announced in early 2019</a>&nbsp;that it had set up the task force at the request of Attorney General Derek Schmidt. The task force consists of six agents who investigate abuse reports from the public and review church documents from the state’s Roman Catholic dioceses in Wichita, Salina, Dodge City and Kansas City, Kansas. It also investigates reports from the Society of St. Pius X, a breakaway Catholic group known for its traditional Latin Mass with a large branch in St. Marys in northeast Kansas.

Report: KBI has opened 122 clergy sex abuse cases in Kansas

DODGE CITY, Kan. (AP) — The National Weather Service in Dodge City confirmed Friday that seven tornadoes touched down in southwest Kansas during storms earlier this week.

<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ddc/QLCSTornadoesOct122021\">Click here to read the</a> overview from the National Weather Service

The tornadoes that hit on Tuesday were rated EF-0 to EF-1 strength, with wind speeds mostly between 80 mph and 110 mph.

They touched down in rural areas and damage was generally confined to irrigation systems and outbuildings, the weather service said. No serious injuries were reported.

Two tornadoes were confirmed near Greensburg, while others were confirmed near Sublette, Howell, Spearville, Fellsburg and Trousdale.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634166341781.png" alt="Storm damage from Tuesday night's tornadoes -photo courtesy Ford County Emergency management" />
 <figcaption>Storm damage from Tuesday night's tornadoes -photo courtesy Ford County Emergency management</figcaption>
 </figure>DODGE CITY, Kan. (AP) — The National Weather Service in Dodge City confirmed Friday that seven tornadoes touched down in southwest Kansas during storms earlier this week.<a href="https://www.weather.gov/ddc/QLCSTornadoesOct122021\">Click here to read the</a> overview from the National Weather ServiceThe tornadoes that hit on Tuesday were rated EF-0 to EF-1 strength, with wind speeds mostly between 80 mph and 110 mph.They touched down in rural areas and damage was generally confined to irrigation systems and outbuildings, the weather service said. No serious injuries were reported.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634149009998.png" alt="Storm damage in Wallace County -photo courtesy Sharon Springs golf course" />
 <figcaption>Storm damage in Wallace County -photo courtesy Sharon Springs golf course</figcaption>
 </figure>Two tornadoes were confirmed near Greensburg, while others were confirmed near Sublette, Howell, Spearville, Fellsburg and Trousdale.

Weather Service: 7 tornadoes in southwest Kansas Tuesday night

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health advisers on Friday tackled who should get boosters of Johnson &amp; Johnson’s single-shot COVID-19 vaccine and when — and whether using a competing brand for the second dose might provide better protection.

The push for boosters kicked off last month after the Food and Drug Administration authorized third doses of the Pfizer vaccine for seniors and younger adults with health problems, jobs or living conditions that place them at higher risk from the coronavirus. On Thursday, an FDA advisory panel unanimously recommended a half-dose booster of the similar Moderna vaccine for the same groups.

Friday, the same panel discussed a booster of J&amp;J's vaccine but the decision is more complex. Moderna and Pfizer asked the FDA to OK boosters at least six months after immunization, but J&amp;J proposed a sliding schedule with an extra dose as early as two months later.

Adding another twist, the experts also will discuss preliminary data from a government “mix-and-match” study that suggested J&amp;J recipients may have a far stronger immune response if they get either a Moderna or Pfizer booster rather than a second J&amp;J dose.

J&amp;J’s single-shot vaccine is made with a different technology than the two-shot Pfizer and Moderna vaccines -- and it has consistently shown lower effectiveness levels.

On Friday, J&amp;J executives pitched a booster as a way to strengthen a robust vaccine that they said has retained its protective power over eight months. But FDA scientists pointedly challenged that assertion.

“There are data that suggest the effectiveness of this vaccine is actually less robust than the company’s presentation here," said Dr. Peter Marks, FDA's top vaccines official. “And that is a finding of concern particularly because that’s been seen in minority communities potentially and others.”

The panel's chair said regulators have a responsibility to shore up protection for J&amp;J recipients.

“There is some urgency here to do something,” said Dr. Arnold Monto of the University of Michigan.

The FDA will use its advisers’ recommendations to decide whether to authorize boosters for both J&amp;J and Moderna, after which another government agency will rule on who should roll up their sleeves.

All three vaccines in the U.S. still offer strong protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19 — and the nation's priority remains getting first doses to 66 million eligible but unvaccinated Americans who are most at risk as the extra-contagious delta variant continues to circulate.

J&amp;J presented results from a large study that found giving a second dose just two months after the first bumped protection against symptomatic COVID-19 to 94% from 70% in U.S. recipients. Giving that booster six months later instead prompted an even bigger jump in virus-fighting antibodies.

But in their own review, FDA scientists flagged a number of shortcomings with J&amp;J's booster studies, including only a tiny portion of cases involving the delta variant, by far the dominant strain in the U.S. Reviewers also warned that J&amp;J had only followed booster recipients for a little more than a month after a second dose, making it hard to draw conclusions about the durability of protection. Finally, FDA staff emphasized that they had not had time to independently confirm J&amp;J's findings, which were submitted shortly before the meeting.

FDA's reviewers found no new safety concerns after a second J&amp;J dose, but again, they cautioned about the small number of patients studied and short follow-up period.

The J&amp;J vaccine was highly anticipated for its one-and-done formulation. But its rollout earlier this year was hurt by a series of troubles including manufacturing problems and some rare but serious side effects including a blood clot disorder and a neurological reaction called Guillain-Barre syndrome. In both cases, regulators decided the shot’s benefits outweighed those risks.

The vast majority of the 188 million Americans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have received the Pfizer or Moderna options, while J&amp;J recipients account for only about 15 million.

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health advisers on Friday tackled who should get boosters of Johnson &amp; Johnson’s single-shot COVID-19 vaccine and when — and whether using a competing brand for the second dose might provide better protection.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c-H40GrvWz4?start=11443" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The push for boosters kicked off last month after the Food and Drug Administration authorized third doses of the Pfizer vaccine for seniors and younger adults with health problems, jobs or living conditions that place them at higher risk from the coronavirus. On Thursday, an FDA advisory panel unanimously recommended a half-dose booster of the similar Moderna vaccine for the same groups.Friday, the same panel discussed a booster of J&amp;J's vaccine but the decision is more complex. Moderna and Pfizer asked the FDA to OK boosters at least six months after immunization, but J&amp;J proposed a sliding schedule with an extra dose as early as two months later.Adding another twist, the experts also will discuss preliminary data from a government “mix-and-match” study that suggested J&amp;J recipients may have a far stronger immune response if they get either a Moderna or Pfizer booster rather than a second J&amp;J dose.J&amp;J’s single-shot vaccine is made with a different technology than the two-shot Pfizer and Moderna vaccines -- and it has consistently shown lower effectiveness levels.On Friday, J&amp;J executives pitched a booster as a way to strengthen a robust vaccine that they said has retained its protective power over eight months. But FDA scientists pointedly challenged that assertion.“There are data that suggest the effectiveness of this vaccine is actually less robust than the company’s presentation here," said Dr. Peter Marks, FDA's top vaccines official. “And that is a finding of concern particularly because that’s been seen in minority communities potentially and others.”The panel's chair said regulators have a responsibility to shore up protection for J&amp;J recipients.“There is some urgency here to do something,” said Dr. Arnold Monto of the University of Michigan.The FDA will use its advisers’ recommendations to decide whether to authorize boosters for both J&amp;J and Moderna, after which another government agency will rule on who should roll up their sleeves.All three vaccines in the U.S. still offer strong protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19 — and the nation's priority remains getting first doses to 66 million eligible but unvaccinated Americans who are most at risk as the extra-contagious delta variant continues to circulate.J&amp;J presented results from a large study that found giving a second dose just two months after the first bumped protection against symptomatic COVID-19 to 94% from 70% in U.S. recipients. Giving that booster six months later instead prompted an even bigger jump in virus-fighting antibodies.But in their own review, FDA scientists flagged a number of shortcomings with J&amp;J's booster studies, including only a tiny portion of cases involving the delta variant, by far the dominant strain in the U.S. Reviewers also warned that J&amp;J had only followed booster recipients for a little more than a month after a second dose, making it hard to draw conclusions about the durability of protection. Finally, FDA staff emphasized that they had not had time to independently confirm J&amp;J's findings, which were submitted shortly before the meeting.FDA's reviewers found no new safety concerns after a second J&amp;J dose, but again, they cautioned about the small number of patients studied and short follow-up period.The J&amp;J vaccine was highly anticipated for its one-and-done formulation. But its rollout earlier this year was hurt by a series of troubles including manufacturing problems and some rare but serious side effects including a blood clot disorder and a neurological reaction called Guillain-Barre syndrome. In both cases, regulators decided the shot’s benefits outweighed those risks.The vast majority of the 188 million Americans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have received the Pfizer or Moderna options, while J&amp;J recipients account for only about 15 million.___

🎥 FDA panel endorses booster shot for J&J COVID-19 vaccine

WASHINGTON — The IRS has set forth the information that taxpayers 
will be required to include for a research credit claim for refund to be
 considered valid. Existing Treasury Regulations require that for a 
refund claim to be valid, it must set forth sufficient facts to apprise 
IRS of the basis of the claim. The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-lafa/20214101f.pdf">Chief Counsel memorandum</a>&nbsp;PDF
 will be used to improve tax administration with clearer instructions 
for eligible taxpayers to claim the credit while reducing the number of 
disputes over such claims.

Effective tax administration entails ensuring taxpayers understand 
what is required to support the claim for the research and 
experimentation (R&amp;E) credit. Each year, the IRS receives thousands 
of R&amp;E claims for credits in the hundreds of millions of dollars 
from corporations, businesses, and individual taxpayers. Claims for 
research credit under IRC Section 41 are currently examined in a 
substantial number of cases and consume significant resources for both 
the IRS and taxpayers.

The Chief Counsel legal advice released today is the result of 
ongoing efforts to manage research credit issues and resources in the 
most effective and efficient manner. By requiring taxpayers to provide 
the information referenced below, the IRS will be better able to 
determine upfront if an R&amp;E credit claim for refund should be paid 
immediately or whether further review is needed.

Specifically, the opinion provides that for a Section 41 research 
credit claim for refund to be considered a valid claim, taxpayers are 
required to provide the following information at the time the refund 
claim is filed with the IRS:

The IRS will provide a grace period (until January 10, 2022) 
before requiring the inclusion of this information with timely filed 
Section 41 research credit claims for refund. Upon the expiration of the
 grace period, there will be a one-year transition period during which 
taxpayers will have 30 days to perfect a research credit claim for 
refund prior to the IRS' final determination on the claim. Further 
details will be forthcoming; however, taxpayers may begin immediately 
providing this information.

The IRS plans to continue engaging with stakeholders on research credit issues. Comments may be sent to <a href="mailto:irs.feedback.recredit.claims@irs.gov">irs.feedback.recredit.claims@irs.gov</a>.

IRSWASHINGTON — The IRS has set forth the information that taxpayers 
will be required to include for a research credit claim for refund to be
 considered valid. Existing Treasury Regulations require that for a 
refund claim to be valid, it must set forth sufficient facts to apprise 
IRS of the basis of the claim. The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-lafa/20214101f.pdf">Chief Counsel memorandum</a>&nbsp;PDF
 will be used to improve tax administration with clearer instructions 
for eligible taxpayers to claim the credit while reducing the number of 
disputes over such claims.Effective tax administration entails ensuring taxpayers understand 
what is required to support the claim for the research and 
experimentation (R&amp;E) credit. Each year, the IRS receives thousands 
of R&amp;E claims for credits in the hundreds of millions of dollars 
from corporations, businesses, and individual taxpayers. Claims for 
research credit under IRC Section 41 are currently examined in a 
substantial number of cases and consume significant resources for both 
the IRS and taxpayers.The Chief Counsel legal advice released today is the result of 
ongoing efforts to manage research credit issues and resources in the 
most effective and efficient manner. By requiring taxpayers to provide 
the information referenced below, the IRS will be better able to 
determine upfront if an R&amp;E credit claim for refund should be paid 
immediately or whether further review is needed.Specifically, the opinion provides that for a Section 41 research 
credit claim for refund to be considered a valid claim, taxpayers are 
required to provide the following information at the time the refund 
claim is filed with the IRS:<ul>
 <li>Identify all the business components to which the Section 41 research credit claim relates for that year.</li><li>For each business component, identify all research activities 
performed and name the individuals who performed each research activity,
 as well as the information each individual sought to discover.</li><li>Provide the total qualified employee wage expenses, total qualified
 supply expenses, and total qualified contract research expenses for the
 claim year. This may be done using <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f6765.pdf">Form 6765, Credit for Increasing Research Activities</a>&nbsp;PDF.</li>
 </ul>The IRS will provide a grace period (until January 10, 2022) 
before requiring the inclusion of this information with timely filed 
Section 41 research credit claims for refund. Upon the expiration of the
 grace period, there will be a one-year transition period during which 
taxpayers will have 30 days to perfect a research credit claim for 
refund prior to the IRS' final determination on the claim. Further 
details will be forthcoming; however, taxpayers may begin immediately 
providing this information.The IRS plans to continue engaging with stakeholders on research credit issues. Comments may be sent to <a href="mailto:irs.feedback.recredit.claims@irs.gov">irs.feedback.recredit.claims@irs.gov</a>.

IRS sets forth required information for a valid research credit claim for refund

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 1820 to a total of 423,283, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 14 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6165

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

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

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

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

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 1820 to a total of 423,283, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 14 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6165<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634318510162.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

KDHE: 1800 new cases, 14 more COVID deaths

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a drive-by shooting at a home in Wichita that injured an 11-year-old girl have made an arrest, according to the Sedgwick County booking report.

On Thursday, police arrested <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18777609">25-year-old Byron Monroe Purcell</a> on <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18777609">requested charges</a> of aggravated assault, aggravated battery and weapons, drug and parole violation charges.

He's accused of being the gunman in a shooting that happened early Tuesday in the city's Ken-Mar neighborhood in which bullets hit a house.

Police say the<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/victim-of-shooting-family-needs-help?member=14541373&amp;sharetype=teams&amp;utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=more&amp;utm_source=customer"> 11-year-old girl </a>was in the house and asleep in her bed when she was hit by the gunfire. She was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. Police say four other people in the home at the time of the shooting were not injured.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634298594579.png" alt="Purcell photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Purcell photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a drive-by shooting at a home in Wichita that injured an 11-year-old girl have made an arrest, according to the Sedgwick County booking report.On Thursday, police arrested <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18777609">25-year-old Byron Monroe Purcell</a> on <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18777609">requested charges</a> of aggravated assault, aggravated battery and weapons, drug and parole violation charges. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634162750977.png" alt="Image of the suspect vehicle driving by the home early Tuesday-Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Image of the suspect vehicle driving by the home early Tuesday-Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>He's accused of being the gunman in a shooting that happened early Tuesday in the city's Ken-Mar neighborhood in which bullets hit a house.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634171148198.png" alt="A cousin established a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/victim-of-shooting-family-needs-help?member=14541373&amp;sharetype=teams&amp;utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=more&amp;utm_source=customer">GoFundMe page </a>to help the girl's family with medical expenses. She was in the ICU at a Wichita hospital late Wednesday, according to the fundraiser account." />
 <figcaption>A cousin established a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/victim-of-shooting-family-needs-help?member=14541373&amp;sharetype=teams&amp;utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=more&amp;utm_source=customer">GoFundMe page </a>to help the girl's family with medical expenses. She was in the ICU at a Wichita hospital late Wednesday, according to the fundraiser account.</figcaption>
 </figure> Police say the<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/victim-of-shooting-family-needs-help?member=14541373&amp;sharetype=teams&amp;utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=more&amp;utm_source=customer"> 11-year-old girl </a>was in the house and asleep in her bed when she was hit by the gunfire. She was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. Police say four other people in the home at the time of the shooting were not injured.---------

Arrest made in shooting that injured Kan. girl asleep in her bed

CLOUD COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Thursday in Cloud County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Ford F150 driven by Damon J. Beckman, 20, Concordia, was northbound on 210th Road five miles east of Concordia. The pickup left the roadway, entered the east ditch and rolled.

Beckman was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Chaput-Bouy Funeral Home. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592389654778.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CLOUD COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 10:30p.m. Thursday in Cloud County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Ford F150 driven by Damon J. Beckman, 20, Concordia, was northbound on 210th Road five miles east of Concordia. The pickup left the roadway, entered the east ditch and rolled.Beckman was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Chaput-Bouy Funeral Home. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after pickup rolls into ditch

SHAWNEE COUNTY —There were no injuries in a house fire Friday morning in Topeka.

Just before 12:30 a.m., fire crews responded to fire in the one-story residential home at 1614 S.W. Buchanan Street, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.

Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke and fire coming from a side window of the home. A search of the structure revealed that no occupants were inside and they were able to escape.

Investigators determined&nbsp;the cause of the fire as Accidental, Careless use of smoking materials, according to Harrison. The estimated dollar loss – $14,500; $10,500 is associated with structural loss and $4,000 is associated with content loss. No smoke detectors were located within the structure, according to Harrison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634306018298.png" alt="Friday morning house fire -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Friday morning house fire -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —There were no injuries in a house fire Friday morning in Topeka.Just before 12:30 a.m., fire crews responded to fire in the one-story residential home at 1614 S.W. Buchanan Street, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke and fire coming from a side window of the home. A search of the structure revealed that no occupants were inside and they were able to escape.Investigators determined&nbsp;the cause of the fire as Accidental, Careless use of smoking materials, according to Harrison. The estimated dollar loss – $14,500; $10,500 is associated with structural loss and $4,000 is associated with content loss. No smoke detectors were located within the structure, according to Harrison.

Careless use of smoking materials caused Kan. house fire

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Federal authorities are investigating a former Kansas City, Kansas, police detective who has been accused of sexually abusing minority and poor women for decades and framing Lamonte McIntyre, who was wrongfully imprisoned for a 1994 double murder. 

The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department acknowledged Thursday that since 2019 it's been responding to subpoenas from the FBI involving allegations against Roger Golubski. 

CNN reported Thursday that federal authorities have convened a grand jury for the investigation. Former Kansas City Police Chief Terry Zeigler told the network he and more than a half-dozen officers have or will testify before the grand jury.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593723693793.png" alt="Roger Golubski photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Roger Golubski photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Federal authorities are investigating a former Kansas City, Kansas, police detective who has been accused of sexually abusing minority and poor women for decades and framing Lamonte McIntyre, who was wrongfully imprisoned for a 1994 double murder. The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department acknowledged Thursday that since 2019 it's been responding to subpoenas from the FBI involving allegations against Roger Golubski. CNN reported Thursday that federal authorities have convened a grand jury for the investigation. Former Kansas City Police Chief Terry Zeigler told the network he and more than a half-dozen officers have or will testify before the grand jury.

Feds investigate ex- Kan. police detective accused of corruption 

BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) —&nbsp;Kansas' Republican secretary of state did not violate the state's open records law by ordering the removal of an election database function that generates a statewide report showing which provisional ballots were not counted, a judge ruled.

The decision Wednesday by Shawnee County District Judge Teresa Watson comes in a lawsuit filed by voting rights activist Davis Hammet, who is the president of Loud Light, a nonprofit that strives to increase voter turnout. The group helps voters fix issues that led them to cast provisional ballots so that their votes are counted.

Voters are given provisional ballots if they don’t appear to be registered, if they fail to present the required identification or if they are trying to vote at the wrong polling place.

The judge sided with Secretary of State Scott Schwab in finding that the ability to produce a statewide provisional ballot detail report in the election database is not a public record as defined by the Kansas Open Records Act. Watson found that eliminating that functionality does not violate the state law as written.

The lawsuit contended Schwab altered the software to hide election records.

“Hammet understandably raises the question about why Schwab would purposely eliminate the ability to expediently and inexpensively produce a statewide provisional detail report (in the state database), even if the Secretary of State's office has no use for it," according to the ruling.

But the judge wrote that Schwab's “motives and reasoning are only conjecture” at this point in the litigation and are not material to the purely legal questions on summary judgment.

Watson also rejected Hammet's argument that Schwab destroyed government records by removing the program that allowed his office to generate the report, because functionality itself is not a government record.

Hammet won a separate lawsuit last year that forced Schwab to turn over to him the names of voters who cast provisional ballots in the 2018 general election, including whether their votes were counted.

Schwab complied with the court’s order for the 2018 data, then instructed the outside firm that manages the database to end the secretary of state’s access to the statewide provisional ballot detail report. The state’s 105 counties can still run those reports, but only for their own local data.

Hammet said he planned to meet with his lawyers to explore his options, and would comment later.

In an emailed statement, Schwab's office said it appreciated the ruling .

“The decision to remove the provisional ballot detailed report function was based in a desire to provide accurate and complete data as a state agency,” according to that statement. “The function produced a report that was incomplete and could easily have led to misinformation, something the Secretary of State's office strives to prevent.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586715324051.jpeg" alt=" Republican Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab- Credit Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Republican Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab- Credit Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By ROXANA HEGEMANBELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) —&nbsp;Kansas' Republican secretary of state did not violate the state's open records law by ordering the removal of an election database function that generates a statewide report showing which provisional ballots were not counted, a judge ruled.The decision Wednesday by Shawnee County District Judge Teresa Watson comes in a lawsuit filed by voting rights activist Davis Hammet, who is the president of Loud Light, a nonprofit that strives to increase voter turnout. The group helps voters fix issues that led them to cast provisional ballots so that their votes are counted.Voters are given provisional ballots if they don’t appear to be registered, if they fail to present the required identification or if they are trying to vote at the wrong polling place.The judge sided with Secretary of State Scott Schwab in finding that the ability to produce a statewide provisional ballot detail report in the election database is not a public record as defined by the Kansas Open Records Act. Watson found that eliminating that functionality does not violate the state law as written.The lawsuit contended Schwab altered the software to hide election records.“Hammet understandably raises the question about why Schwab would purposely eliminate the ability to expediently and inexpensively produce a statewide provisional detail report (in the state database), even if the Secretary of State's office has no use for it," according to the ruling.But the judge wrote that Schwab's “motives and reasoning are only conjecture” at this point in the litigation and are not material to the purely legal questions on summary judgment.Watson also rejected Hammet's argument that Schwab destroyed government records by removing the program that allowed his office to generate the report, because functionality itself is not a government record.Hammet won a separate lawsuit last year that forced Schwab to turn over to him the names of voters who cast provisional ballots in the 2018 general election, including whether their votes were counted.Schwab complied with the court’s order for the 2018 data, then instructed the outside firm that manages the database to end the secretary of state’s access to the statewide provisional ballot detail report. The state’s 105 counties can still run those reports, but only for their own local data.Hammet said he planned to meet with his lawyers to explore his options, and would comment later.In an emailed statement, Schwab's office said it appreciated the ruling .“The decision to remove the provisional ballot detailed report function was based in a desire to provide accurate and complete data as a state agency,” according to that statement. “The function produced a report that was incomplete and could easily have led to misinformation, something the Secretary of State's office strives to prevent.”

Judge: Kansas election database function not public record

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A woman accused in the abuse death of her 1-year-old daughter made her first court appearance Thursday.

Neriah Dilley, 27 of Wichita, is charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder and abuse of a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.

Just after 3 p.m. Oct. 9, police responded to a home in the 800 block of South Mission in Wichita after report of an infant not breathing, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

Upon arrival, officers located 1-year-old Myonna Townley in critical condition. EMS transported her an area hospital for medical treatment where she succumbed to her injuries. Townley was also found to have trauma on her body, according to Davidson.

Interviews and the examination of evidence led police to arrest Dilley, the girl's mother.&nbsp;Her next court date is October 28. She remains jailed on a $250,000 bond, according to the district attorney.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633901481923.png" alt="Dilley photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Dilley photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A woman accused in the abuse death of her 1-year-old daughter made her first court appearance Thursday.Neriah Dilley, 27 of Wichita, is charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder and abuse of a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.Just after 3 p.m. Oct. 9, police responded to a home in the 800 block of South Mission in Wichita after report of an infant not breathing, according to Officer Charley Davidson.Upon arrival, officers located 1-year-old Myonna Townley in critical condition. EMS transported her an area hospital for medical treatment where she succumbed to her injuries. Townley was also found to have trauma on her body, according to Davidson.Interviews and the examination of evidence led police to arrest Dilley, the girl's mother.&nbsp;Her next court date is October 28. She remains jailed on a $250,000 bond, according to the district attorney.

Kan. mother charged with abuse, murder of infant daughter

WASHINGTON (AP) — Inflation at the wholesale level rose 8.6% in September compared to a year ago, the largest advance since the 12-month change was first calculated in 2010.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that the monthly increase in its producer price index, which measures inflationary pressures before they reach consumers, was 0.5% for September compared to a 0.7% gain in August.

The 8.6% rise for the 12 months ending in September compared to an 8.3% increase for the 12 months ending in August, which had been the previous record 12-month gain.

On Wednesday, the government reported that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-consumer-prices-inflation-prices-e80c0c24a6ec5ca1c977eccd6294d01b">inflation at the retail level rose 0.4% in September with its consumer price index up 5.4% over the past 12 months</a>, matching the fastest pace since 2008.

The jump in inflation this year reflects higher prices for food and energy and a number of other items from furniture to autos as the pandemic has snarled supply chains and demand has outstripped supply.

The report on wholesale prices showed that core inflation at the wholesale level, excluding volatile energy and food, was up 0.2% in September from August and was 6.8% higher over the past 12 months.

Almost 80% of the overall increase in wholesale prices last month was attributed to a 1.3% rise in the price of goods, the largest increase since May. In September, 40% of the jump in goods prices reflected rising energy prices. Price increases for services rose a smaller 0.2%

Food costs at the wholesale level rose 2% in September while energy prices were up 2.8%, the biggest jump since a 5% surge in March.

On Wednesday, President Joe Biden took actions in an effort to address the supply chain problems including announcing that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-los-angeles-health-48ff262b882a37308e4a3f15934b2ee4">Port of Los Angeles would begin operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week to clear bottlenecks&nbsp;</a>at one of America’s largest ports.

Economists said that the jump in wholesale and retail prices reflected impacts of the pandemic as strong demand is running up against supply chain problems.

“The demand impact will fade further over coming months,” said Rubeela Farooqi, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics. “But there is a risk of more persistent headwinds from broken supply chains that could keep goods prices and inflation high for longer than expected.”

Minutes released Wednesday of the Federal Reserve’s September meeting provided further indications that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-inflation-economy-3137e678ed459364dd3e1bc3a909920a">the central bank is preparing to start pulling back on its $120 billion in monthly bond purchases</a>, possibly at its next meeting in November, as the first step in unwinding the extraordinary support the central bank has been providing the economy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587348963152.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Inflation at the wholesale level rose 8.6% in September compared to a year ago, the largest advance since the 12-month change was first calculated in 2010.The Labor Department reported Thursday that the monthly increase in its producer price index, which measures inflationary pressures before they reach consumers, was 0.5% for September compared to a 0.7% gain in August.The 8.6% rise for the 12 months ending in September compared to an 8.3% increase for the 12 months ending in August, which had been the previous record 12-month gain.On Wednesday, the government reported that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-consumer-prices-inflation-prices-e80c0c24a6ec5ca1c977eccd6294d01b">inflation at the retail level rose 0.4% in September with its consumer price index up 5.4% over the past 12 months</a>, matching the fastest pace since 2008.The jump in inflation this year reflects higher prices for food and energy and a number of other items from furniture to autos as the pandemic has snarled supply chains and demand has outstripped supply.The report on wholesale prices showed that core inflation at the wholesale level, excluding volatile energy and food, was up 0.2% in September from August and was 6.8% higher over the past 12 months.Almost 80% of the overall increase in wholesale prices last month was attributed to a 1.3% rise in the price of goods, the largest increase since May. In September, 40% of the jump in goods prices reflected rising energy prices. Price increases for services rose a smaller 0.2%Food costs at the wholesale level rose 2% in September while energy prices were up 2.8%, the biggest jump since a 5% surge in March.On Wednesday, President Joe Biden took actions in an effort to address the supply chain problems including announcing that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-los-angeles-health-48ff262b882a37308e4a3f15934b2ee4">Port of Los Angeles would begin operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week to clear bottlenecks&nbsp;</a>at one of America’s largest ports.Economists said that the jump in wholesale and retail prices reflected impacts of the pandemic as strong demand is running up against supply chain problems.“The demand impact will fade further over coming months,” said Rubeela Farooqi, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics. “But there is a risk of more persistent headwinds from broken supply chains that could keep goods prices and inflation high for longer than expected.”Minutes released Wednesday of the Federal Reserve’s September meeting provided further indications that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-inflation-economy-3137e678ed459364dd3e1bc3a909920a">the central bank is preparing to start pulling back on its $120 billion in monthly bond purchases</a>, possibly at its next meeting in November, as the first step in unwinding the extraordinary support the central bank has been providing the economy.

Record: US wholesale prices rose 8.6% over past 12-months

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas has reinstalled a Native American art exhibit that was vandalized in September.

Museum officials announced Wednesday that the exhibit, “Native Hosts” by Hock E Aye Vi Edgar Heap of Birds, is back in front of the museum.

The work consists of five aluminum signs, which each name Native tribes who historically or currently live in what is now known as Kansas. On each sign, the colonial name is printed backward while the name of the land’s original occupants is printed forward.

The exhibit was removed for repairs after two people damaged four of the pieces on Sept. 4. The fifth panel was later taken but was recovered.

The museum is planning a public celebration of the exhibit on Thursday afternoon, which will be led by Native American faculty and students from Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633119849006.png" alt="Photos courtesy Spencer Museum of Art at KU" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy Spencer Museum of Art at KU</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas has reinstalled a Native American art exhibit that was vandalized in September.Museum officials announced Wednesday that the exhibit, “Native Hosts” by Hock E Aye Vi Edgar Heap of Birds, is back in front of the museum.The work consists of five aluminum signs, which each name Native tribes who historically or currently live in what is now known as Kansas. On each sign, the colonial name is printed backward while the name of the land’s original occupants is printed forward.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634238139558.png" alt="Spencer Museum" />
 <figcaption>Spencer Museum</figcaption>
 </figure>The exhibit was removed for repairs after two people damaged four of the pieces on Sept. 4. The fifth panel was later taken but was recovered.The museum is planning a public celebration of the exhibit on Thursday afternoon, which will be led by Native American faculty and students from Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University.

Museum at KU reinstalls vandalized Native American exhibit

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. (AP) — Two steers that escaped from a suburban Kansas City meat processing plant were shot and killed by police — including one on a high school football field, officials said.

The incident happened Wednesday afternoon, after three steers escaped the Valley Oaks meat processing plant and headed through residential and business district streets, Blue Springs Police spokeswoman Jennifer Brady confirmed.

While crews managed to corral one steer and load it onto a trailer, the other two had to be killed, Brady said. One steer was shot by police as it headed onto Interstate 70. The other made its way to Blue Springs High School’s freshman campus football field, where it was fatally shot.

“Unfortunately, we could not get a veterinarian to respond and officers had to shoot the steers, which had displayed erratic behavior and presented an immediate danger to persons and property," Brady said in an email to The Associated Press on Thursday.

Brady said the students were kept safe inside the school as the animal was shot.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634293469971.png" alt="&nbsp;One steer was shot by police as it headed onto Interstate 70-photo courtesy KMBC TV&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;One steer was shot by police as it headed onto Interstate 70-photo courtesy KMBC TV&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. (AP) — Two steers that escaped from a suburban Kansas City meat processing plant were shot and killed by police — including one on a high school football field, officials said.The incident happened Wednesday afternoon, after three steers escaped the Valley Oaks meat processing plant and headed through residential and business district streets, Blue Springs Police spokeswoman Jennifer Brady confirmed.While crews managed to corral one steer and load it onto a trailer, the other two had to be killed, Brady said. One steer was shot by police as it headed onto Interstate 70. The other made its way to Blue Springs High School’s freshman campus football field, where it was fatally shot.“Unfortunately, we could not get a veterinarian to respond and officers had to shoot the steers, which had displayed erratic behavior and presented an immediate danger to persons and property," Brady said in an email to The Associated Press on Thursday.Brady said the students were kept safe inside the school as the animal was shot.

Police kill 2 steers that fled KC-area processing plant

JACKSON COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple charges following a two county chase.

Just before 10:30p.m. Wednesday, a sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a 2016 Chevy Equinox on US Highway 75 near 110th&nbsp;Road for a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The driver of the vehicle, later identified as 28-year-old Chelsea Jean finch of Powhattan, allegedly failed to stop. The vehicle continued south into Shawnee County.&nbsp; 

&nbsp;Several law enforcement agencies including the Kansas Highway Patrol, Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and the Topeka Police Department assisted and attempted to stop the pursuit with tire deflation devices which resulted in the deflation of two passenger side tires.

 The pursuit continued west on Interstate 70 where the suspect vehicle left the interstate on Danbury Lane and sideswiped another vehicle.&nbsp; 

The suspect vehicle continued, striking a mailbox with the pursuit coming to a stop near Fairlawn and West Drive. Officers took Finch into custody. The Chevy Equinox she was driving had been reported stolen out of Lawrence. 

Deputies transported Finch to the Jackson County Jail where she is being held on requested charges of felony fleeing and eluding law enforcement,&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine,&nbsp; possession of drug paraphernalia, felony theft, identity theft, avoiding spike strips, reckless driving, driving while suspended, multiple counts of stolen property, according to Morse. Further charges on Finch are possible.&nbsp; 

Finch is known to area law enforcement. In 2020, Finch was involved in a pursuit in Shawnee County. In 2018, Jackson County Deputies pulled Finch through a ceiling in a Horton residence where she was hiding in an attic from law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634242739616.png" alt=" In 2018, Jackson county deputies pulled Finch through a ceiling in a Horton residence where she was hiding in an attic from law enforcement.-photo Jackson Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption> In 2018, Jackson county deputies pulled Finch through a ceiling in a Horton residence where she was hiding in an attic from law enforcement.-photo Jackson Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple charges following a two county chase.Just before 10:30p.m. Wednesday, a sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a 2016 Chevy Equinox on US Highway 75 near 110th&nbsp;Road for a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.The driver of the vehicle, later identified as 28-year-old Chelsea Jean finch of Powhattan, allegedly failed to stop. The vehicle continued south into Shawnee County.&nbsp; &nbsp;Several law enforcement agencies including the Kansas Highway Patrol, Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and the Topeka Police Department assisted and attempted to stop the pursuit with tire deflation devices which resulted in the deflation of two passenger side tires. The pursuit continued west on Interstate 70 where the suspect vehicle left the interstate on Danbury Lane and sideswiped another vehicle.&nbsp; The suspect vehicle continued, striking a mailbox with the pursuit coming to a stop near Fairlawn and West Drive. Officers took Finch into custody. The Chevy Equinox she was driving had been reported stolen out of Lawrence. Deputies transported Finch to the Jackson County Jail where she is being held on requested charges of felony fleeing and eluding law enforcement,&nbsp; possession of methamphetamine,&nbsp; possession of drug paraphernalia, felony theft, identity theft, avoiding spike strips, reckless driving, driving while suspended, multiple counts of stolen property, according to Morse. Further charges on Finch are possible.&nbsp; Finch is known to area law enforcement. In 2020, Finch was involved in a pursuit in Shawnee County. In 2018, Jackson County Deputies pulled Finch through a ceiling in a Horton residence where she was hiding in an attic from law enforcement.

Kan. woman driving stolen SUV captured after 2-county chase

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Two Kansas City men were charged with murder after a shooting that left two men dead in March, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Earl L. Dunn III, 20, and Vontez G. Howard, 24, were each with two counts of first-degree murder, robbery, and five other counts.

Kansas City police responding to a call about a shooting and crash on March 1 found Kyle Gerhardt and Kristopher Lunsford-Barrett inside a burning car. Both men had been shot. Detectives said the car caught fire after it crashed into a tree.

Video showed the suspects chasing the vehicle the victims were in until their car crashed, according to court documents. Prosecutors said investigators also used phones, ballistics, and DNA evidence to connect the shooters to the victims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634213484056.png" alt="Howard photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Howard photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Two Kansas City men were charged with murder after a shooting that left two men dead in March, prosecutors said Wednesday.Earl L. Dunn III, 20, and Vontez G. Howard, 24, were each with two counts of first-degree murder, robbery, and five other counts.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634213429981.png" alt="&nbsp;Dunn photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Dunn photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas City police responding to a call about a shooting and crash on March 1 found Kyle Gerhardt and Kristopher Lunsford-Barrett inside a burning car. Both men had been shot. Detectives said the car caught fire after it crashed into a tree.Video showed the suspects chasing the vehicle the victims were in until their car crashed, according to court documents. Prosecutors said investigators also used phones, ballistics, and DNA evidence to connect the shooters to the victims.

2 charged after victims in Kansas City found shot, left in burning car

PAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities have arrested a third accomplice in connection with the escape of John Freeman Colt from the sex offender treatment program at the Larned State Hospital, according to Pawnee County Sheriff Scott King.

This third employee identified as 29-year-old Sydni Eileen Hartman&nbsp; was also employed by Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services at the time of the escape.&nbsp;

The other two accomplices in the escape identified as&nbsp;Rachel Rena Perez, 50, Larned, and Liliana Guadalupe Houser, 45 now of Garden City,  were employed by Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services leading up to the time of the escape. They face multiple charges, according to King.

Perez is charged with a 15 count Felony Criminal Complaint. Houser is charged with a 13 count Felony Criminal Complaint, according to the Pawnee Co. Attorney's office.

<a href="https://www.usmarshals.gov/news/chron/2021/colt.pdf"> John Freeman Colt</a>, 42, was sentenced on Dec. 14, 2001, to five years in state prison for aggravated sexual battery, attempted rape, aggravated burglary, and four counts of aggravated battery against law enforcement. He was required to register as a sexual offender for the remainder of his life.

After his criminal sentence was completed, the State of Kansas courts deemed him a Sexually Violent Predator at high risk to commit a future sex offense and too dangerous to be released. He was indefinitely civilly committed and sent to the Larned State Hospital’s Sexual Predator Treatment Program in 2007, where he has resided until the escape.

Investigators believe Colt planned his escape several months in advance, obtaining a replica of a staff ID badge and dress clothes. The morning of his escape he shaved off his long hair and beard. He put blankets under his bed covers making it appear he was still in bed sleeping. He was then able to convince a new staff worker (that he targeted) that he was in fact a new doctor and needed help finding his way out. Posing as a doctor, Colt was able to make his way past five secured doors and ultimately outside the gates.

Several hours passed before staff noticed he was missing and alerted the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office.

After escaping, Colt received a ride from a local farmer into Larned, where he was last seen leaving a hardware store on a motorcycle he’d purchased prior to his escape with the help of an accomplice.&nbsp; U.S. Marshals arrested him in Wayne County Utah on Sept. 27.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634300894930.png" alt="Hartman -photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Hartman -photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities have arrested a third accomplice in connection with the escape of John Freeman Colt from the sex offender treatment program at the Larned State Hospital, according to Pawnee County Sheriff Scott King.This third employee identified as 29-year-old Sydni Eileen Hartman&nbsp; was also employed by Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services at the time of the escape.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632850718422.png" alt="Colt-photo Sevier Co. Utah Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Colt-photo Sevier Co. Utah Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>The other two accomplices in the escape identified as&nbsp;Rachel Rena Perez, 50, Larned, and Liliana Guadalupe Houser, 45 now of Garden City, were employed by Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services leading up to the time of the escape. They face multiple charges, according to King.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634076399777.png" alt="Perez -photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Perez -photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Perez is charged with a 15 count Felony Criminal Complaint. Houser is charged with a 13 count Felony Criminal Complaint, according to the Pawnee Co. Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634076547899.png" alt="Houser photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Houser photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.usmarshals.gov/news/chron/2021/colt.pdf"> John Freeman Colt</a>, 42, was sentenced on Dec. 14, 2001, to five years in state prison for aggravated sexual battery, attempted rape, aggravated burglary, and four counts of aggravated battery against law enforcement. He was required to register as a sexual offender for the remainder of his life.After his criminal sentence was completed, the State of Kansas courts deemed him a Sexually Violent Predator at high risk to commit a future sex offense and too dangerous to be released. He was indefinitely civilly committed and sent to the Larned State Hospital’s Sexual Predator Treatment Program in 2007, where he has resided until the escape.Investigators believe Colt planned his escape several months in advance, obtaining a replica of a staff ID badge and dress clothes. The morning of his escape he shaved off his long hair and beard. He put blankets under his bed covers making it appear he was still in bed sleeping. He was then able to convince a new staff worker (that he targeted) that he was in fact a new doctor and needed help finding his way out. Posing as a doctor, Colt was able to make his way past five secured doors and ultimately outside the gates.Several hours passed before staff noticed he was missing and alerted the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office.After escaping, Colt received a ride from a local farmer into Larned, where he was last seen leaving a hardware store on a motorcycle he’d purchased prior to his escape with the help of an accomplice.&nbsp; U.S. Marshals arrested him in Wayne County Utah on Sept. 27.

Third state hospital staff arrested in Kan. sex offender's escape

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man in connection with an incident in Atchison.

On Wednesday, police responded to the 1500 Block of Applegate Drive in Atchison. They arrested 29-year-old James W. Duhon, Rushville Mo, on a requested charge of domestic battery, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

In 2018, Police arrested Duhon on a requested charge of aggravated assault and in 2017 on a requested charge for marijuana possession, according to online jail records. Police have arrested him ten other times, according to jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634215313154.png" alt="Duhon photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Duhon photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man in connection with an incident in Atchison.On Wednesday, police responded to the 1500 Block of Applegate Drive in Atchison. They arrested 29-year-old James W. Duhon, Rushville Mo, on a requested charge of domestic battery, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.In 2018, Police arrested Duhon on a requested charge of aggravated assault and in 2017 on a requested charge for marijuana possession, according to online jail records. Police have arrested him ten other times, according to jail records.

Kan. man with history of crime jailed for alleged domestic battery

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Chairpersons of the House and Senate education committees took the Kansas State Board of Education to task Wednesday because they don’t think the panel is taking seriously enough lawmakers’ and parents’ concerns about how race and racism are discussed in schools.

Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a Louisburg Republican who chairs the Senate Education Committee, told board members to direct state Department of Education staff to “get real” about how Kansas schools are applying the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-critical-race-theory-08f5d0a0489c7d6eab7d9a238365d2c1">concept</a>&nbsp;of “critical race theory,” which centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nation’s institutions and that they function to maintain the dominance of white people in society.

Baumgardner said in Wednesday’s meeting that she is aware of four bills being drafted that oppose the teaching of critical race theory, including bills inspired by those in Oklahoma and Texas.

“That issue is absolutely not going to go away in the state of Kansas,” Baumgardner said.

In July, the state school board&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-school-boards-7500c858ac801f1f0abd13dfa6f0cc66">issued a statement</a>&nbsp;saying that critical race theory is not part of state academic standards. Some parents say that skirts the issue, pointing to class reading assignments and diversity training for teachers as examples of the discussions about race that they oppose.

The state school board’s statement also said that critics were conflating critical race theory with “federal and state policies and requirements for measuring achievement, fairness and opportunity in education.”

On Wednesday, Baumgardner criticized the statement, saying that some perceived it as a “smokescreen.”

Board Chairman Jim Porter and other board members did not respond to Baumgardner’s comments during the meeting. However, he told The Associated Press later in the day that board members plan to discuss critical race theory in a “relatively near” meeting.

“I’m one-tenth of the group, but as a general rule, we don’t believe it’s a real problem,” Porter said. “However, it is a real problem to others. So consequently, we need to look into it further.”

Rep. Steve Huebert, a Valley Center Republican who chairs the House Education Committee, said the board’s July statement raised questions for him about whether a practice called culturally responsive teaching was opening the door for school districts and teachers “who are motivated to do some things that maybe aren’t in our standards.”

Culturally responsive teaching generally refers to an approach that connects students’ cultures and life experiences with what they learn in school.

Nationally, a push for culturally responsive teaching gained steam following last year’s police killing of George Floyd.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tn-state-wire-laws-racial-injustice-race-and-ethnicity-5da643d3fd15e425adbde2b4e0340ad4">Lawmakers and governors</a>&nbsp;have championed legislation to limit the teaching of material that explores how race and racism influence American politics, culture and law. Laws have been enacted in Tennessee, Idaho and Oklahoma.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-race-and-ethnicity-d69cf5d38e3293884fca00ad3963a90e">Oklahoma’s new law</a>&nbsp;governing the teaching of race went into effect July 1 and prohibits teaching that individuals, by virtue of race or gender, are inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633458024736.png" alt="Sen. Molly Baumgardner, R-Louisburg, said in Wednesday’s meeting that she is aware of four bills being drafted that oppose the teaching of critical race theory, including bills inspired by those in Oklahoma and Texas.-photo by Sherman Smith" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Molly Baumgardner, R-Louisburg, said in Wednesday’s meeting that she is aware of four bills being drafted that oppose the teaching of critical race theory, including bills inspired by those in Oklahoma and Texas.-photo by Sherman Smith</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Chairpersons of the House and Senate education committees took the Kansas State Board of Education to task Wednesday because they don’t think the panel is taking seriously enough lawmakers’ and parents’ concerns about how race and racism are discussed in schools.Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a Louisburg Republican who chairs the Senate Education Committee, told board members to direct state Department of Education staff to “get real” about how Kansas schools are applying the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-critical-race-theory-08f5d0a0489c7d6eab7d9a238365d2c1">concept</a>&nbsp;of “critical race theory,” which centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nation’s institutions and that they function to maintain the dominance of white people in society.Baumgardner said in Wednesday’s meeting that she is aware of four bills being drafted that oppose the teaching of critical race theory, including bills inspired by those in Oklahoma and Texas.“That issue is absolutely not going to go away in the state of Kansas,” Baumgardner said.In July, the state school board&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-school-boards-7500c858ac801f1f0abd13dfa6f0cc66">issued a statement</a>&nbsp;saying that critical race theory is not part of state academic standards. Some parents say that skirts the issue, pointing to class reading assignments and diversity training for teachers as examples of the discussions about race that they oppose.The state school board’s statement also said that critics were conflating critical race theory with “federal and state policies and requirements for measuring achievement, fairness and opportunity in education.”On Wednesday, Baumgardner criticized the statement, saying that some perceived it as a “smokescreen.”Board Chairman Jim Porter and other board members did not respond to Baumgardner’s comments during the meeting. However, he told The Associated Press later in the day that board members plan to discuss critical race theory in a “relatively near” meeting.“I’m one-tenth of the group, but as a general rule, we don’t believe it’s a real problem,” Porter said. “However, it is a real problem to others. So consequently, we need to look into it further.”Rep. Steve Huebert, a Valley Center Republican who chairs the House Education Committee, said the board’s July statement raised questions for him about whether a practice called culturally responsive teaching was opening the door for school districts and teachers “who are motivated to do some things that maybe aren’t in our standards.”Culturally responsive teaching generally refers to an approach that connects students’ cultures and life experiences with what they learn in school.Nationally, a push for culturally responsive teaching gained steam following last year’s police killing of George Floyd.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tn-state-wire-laws-racial-injustice-race-and-ethnicity-5da643d3fd15e425adbde2b4e0340ad4">Lawmakers and governors</a>&nbsp;have championed legislation to limit the teaching of material that explores how race and racism influence American politics, culture and law. Laws have been enacted in Tennessee, Idaho and Oklahoma.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-race-and-ethnicity-d69cf5d38e3293884fca00ad3963a90e">Oklahoma’s new law</a>&nbsp;governing the teaching of race went into effect July 1 and prohibits teaching that individuals, by virtue of race or gender, are inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously.___

Kan. legislators press state school board on critical race theory

RICE COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;Law enforcement authorities arrested a Sterling man Thursday morning after an investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI).

Just after 8 a.m., KBI agents served an arrest warrant at the residence of 2020 Avenue R in Sterling, Kansas. The Rice County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol assisted during the arrest, according to a media release from the KBI.

Jonathan A. Braden, 43, also known as Jonathan Behnke, was arrested without incident. He was booked into the Rice County Jail for two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, and 25 counts of sexual exploitation of a child. The crimes allege Braden engaged in sexual conduct with a juvenile, and possessed and manufactured child pornography.

In September 2019, a report was made to the Grandview Plaza Police Department when a subject discovered images of child pornography that were suspected to be Braden’s. The Grandview Plaza Police Department began investigating. They requested KBI assistance in October of 2019.

On Dec. 19, 2019, a search warrant was executed at Braden’s residence in Sterling, and evidence was located and seized.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634246081483.png" alt="Braden -photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Braden -photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>RICE COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;Law enforcement authorities arrested a Sterling man Thursday morning after an investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI).Just after 8 a.m., KBI agents served an arrest warrant at the residence of 2020 Avenue R in Sterling, Kansas. The Rice County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol assisted during the arrest, according to a media release from the KBI.Jonathan A. Braden, 43, also known as Jonathan Behnke, was arrested without incident. He was booked into the Rice County Jail for two counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, and 25 counts of sexual exploitation of a child. The crimes allege Braden engaged in sexual conduct with a juvenile, and possessed and manufactured child pornography.In September 2019, a report was made to the Grandview Plaza Police Department when a subject discovered images of child pornography that were suspected to be Braden’s. The Grandview Plaza Police Department began investigating. They requested KBI assistance in October of 2019.On Dec. 19, 2019, a search warrant was executed at Braden’s residence in Sterling, and evidence was located and seized.

KBI: Kansas man jailed for alleged child sex crimes 

WASHINGTON (AP) —U.S. health advisers said Thursday that some Americans who received Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine should get a half-dose booster to bolster protection against the virus.

The panel of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration voted unanimously to recommend a booster shot for seniors, adults with other health problems, jobs or living situations that put them at increased risk for COVID-19.

The recommendation is non-binding but it’s a key step toward expanding the U.S. booster campaign to millions more Americans. Many people who got their initial Pfizer shots at least six months ago are already getting a booster after the FDA authorized their use last month.

As for the dose, initial Moderna vaccination consists of two 100-microgram shots. But Moderna says a single 50-microgram shot should be enough for a booster.

The agency convened its experts Thursday and Friday to weigh-in on who should get boosters and when for people that received the Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson shots earlier this year.

The FDA will use its advisers’ recommendations in making final decisions for boosters from both companies. Assuming a positive decision, there’s still another hurdle: Next week, a panel convened by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will offer more specifics on who should get one.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613693226012.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —U.S. health advisers said Thursday that some Americans who received Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine should get a half-dose booster to bolster protection against the virus.The panel of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration voted unanimously to recommend a booster shot for seniors, adults with other health problems, jobs or living situations that put them at increased risk for COVID-19.The recommendation is non-binding but it’s a key step toward expanding the U.S. booster campaign to millions more Americans. Many people who got their initial Pfizer shots at least six months ago are already getting a booster after the FDA authorized their use last month.As for the dose, initial Moderna vaccination consists of two 100-microgram shots. But Moderna says a single 50-microgram shot should be enough for a booster.The agency convened its experts Thursday and Friday to weigh-in on who should get boosters and when for people that received the Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson shots earlier this year.The FDA will use its advisers’ recommendations in making final decisions for boosters from both companies. Assuming a positive decision, there’s still another hurdle: Next week, a panel convened by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will offer more specifics on who should get one.

FDA panel endorses lower-dose Moderna COVID shot for booster

WASHINGTON (AP)— President Joe Biden on Thursday spoke out against misinformation surrounding COVID-19 vaccination mandates, encouraging the approximately 66 million unvaccinated Americans to get a shot.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?515337-1/president-biden-update-covid-19-response-vaccinations">Click here to watch </a>the President's statement

“School board members, religious leaders and doctors across the country are fighting misinformation and educating people about the importance of vaccines,” Biden said.

Speaking at the White House, Biden says employer requirements that their workers be vaccinated are effective. He added: “Vaccination requirements should not be another issue that divides us.”

Biden has issued a federal vaccine mandate on businesses with 100 or more employees that will be implemented in the coming weeks. He says the federal government, as well as businesses and community groups, must “continue to battle the misinformation that’s out there.”

He noted both Southwest Airlines and its pilots’ union dismissed claims that worker action over a pending vaccine mandate at the company was responsible for days of disruption at the airline.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634230982483.png" alt="Speaking at the White House, Biden says employer requirements that their workers be vaccinated are effective. He added: “Vaccination requirements should not be another issue that divides us.”" />
 <figcaption>Speaking at the White House, Biden says employer requirements that their workers be vaccinated are effective. He added: “Vaccination requirements should not be another issue that divides us.”</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP)— President Joe Biden on Thursday spoke out against misinformation surrounding COVID-19 vaccination mandates, encouraging the approximately 66 million unvaccinated Americans to get a shot.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?515337-1/president-biden-update-covid-19-response-vaccinations">Click here to watch </a>the President's statement“School board members, religious leaders and doctors across the country are fighting misinformation and educating people about the importance of vaccines,” Biden said.Speaking at the White House, Biden says employer requirements that their workers be vaccinated are effective. He added: “Vaccination requirements should not be another issue that divides us.”Biden has issued a federal vaccine mandate on businesses with 100 or more employees that will be implemented in the coming weeks. He says the federal government, as well as businesses and community groups, must “continue to battle the misinformation that’s out there.”He noted both Southwest Airlines and its pilots’ union dismissed claims that worker action over a pending vaccine mandate at the company was responsible for days of disruption at the airline.

🎥Biden: Vaccination mandates should not be an issue that divides us

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in the violent killing of his mother made his first court appearance in the case Tuesday.

Kyle Romey, 42 of Goddard, is charged with 1st degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.

Just after 11a.m. Oct. 6, deputies responded to the check the welfare of a person at a trailer home in the 15300 Block of U.S. 54, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter.

At the scene, deputies saw a victim on the floor and forced entry into the residence. They found the body of 67-year-old Denyce Briet. It was very obvious to the deputies that there was blunt force trauma to the victim and that this was a homicide, according to Easter.

During the investigation, deputies responded to a related call at a home the 1000 Block of West Dayton. The same caller told deputies they believed the victim, Denyce Breit, had been injured by her son.

Investigators developed a suspect identified as 42-year-old Kyle L. Romey. He is Breit's son. Deputies located him near the area of Taft and McClain and took him into custody.

According to Easter, Romey and his family had a history of violence but investigators don't know what led to Breit's death.&nbsp; Romey had been living at the trailer home since he was paroled in April.&nbsp;Romey has had several previous convictions for criminal threat, aggravated battery; great bodily harm and felon in possession of a weapon, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633632874021.png" alt="Romey was on parole and had several previous convictions for criminal threat, aggravated battery; great bodily harm and felon in possession of a weapon, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Romey was on parole and had several previous convictions for criminal threat, aggravated battery; great bodily harm and felon in possession of a weapon, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in the violent killing of his mother made his first court appearance in the case Tuesday.Kyle Romey, 42 of Goddard, is charged with 1st degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.Just after 11a.m. Oct. 6, deputies responded to the check the welfare of a person at a trailer home in the 15300 Block of U.S. 54, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter.At the scene, deputies saw a victim on the floor and forced entry into the residence. They found the body of 67-year-old Denyce Briet. It was very obvious to the deputies that there was blunt force trauma to the victim and that this was a homicide, according to Easter.During the investigation, deputies responded to a related call at a home the 1000 Block of West Dayton. The same caller told deputies they believed the victim, Denyce Breit, had been injured by her son.Investigators developed a suspect identified as 42-year-old Kyle L. Romey. He is Breit's son. Deputies located him near the area of Taft and McClain and took him into custody.According to Easter, Romey and his family had a history of violence but investigators don't know what led to Breit's death.&nbsp; Romey had been living at the trailer home since he was paroled in April.&nbsp;Romey has had several previous convictions for criminal threat, aggravated battery; great bodily harm and felon in possession of a weapon, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.Romey is being held on a $500,000 bond.&nbsp; His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 28, according to the district attorney.