SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities investigating the cause of a Monday house fire in Topeka have identified the boy who died as&nbsp; 7-year-old Alexander Servantez.

Just before 7a.m., fire crews responded to the house fire at 1432 SW MacVicar Avenue in Topeka, according to&nbsp;Public Education Officer Alan Stahl.

Before their arrival, fire crews were advised there were possibly residents trapped in the home. They immediately found the home with heavy fire and smoke coming from the first floor. 

Fire crews made an interior attack on the fire. They located and rescued&nbsp;Servantez &nbsp;and an adult female, according to Stahl.

 American Medical Response (AMR) transported both of them to Stormont Vail Hospital with life-threatening injuries and the boy died, according to Stahl.

Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control, and no other homes were damaged.

After the fire was out, AMR transported a third resident of the home to the hospital to treat non-life-threatening injuries. A fourth occupant was able to escape the fire before the arrival of fire crews and had no injuries.

The Topeka Fire Department Investigation Unit and investigators from the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshal continue working to determine the cause of the fire.&nbsp;&nbsp;At this time no foul play is suspected.

The total dollar loss is estimated to be $120,000 with $80,000 in loss to the structure and $40,000 in loss to contents. There were no working smoke detectors in the home, according to Stahl.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641835732799.png" alt="Crews on the scene of the fatal house fire Monday in Topeka-photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Crews on the scene of the fatal house fire Monday in Topeka-photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities investigating the cause of a Monday house fire in Topeka have identified the boy who died as&nbsp; 7-year-old Alexander Servantez.Just before 7a.m., fire crews responded to the house fire at 1432 SW MacVicar Avenue in Topeka, according to&nbsp;Public Education Officer Alan Stahl.Before their arrival, fire crews were advised there were possibly residents trapped in the home. They immediately found the home with heavy fire and smoke coming from the first floor. Fire crews made an interior attack on the fire. They located and rescued&nbsp;Servantez &nbsp;and an adult female, according to Stahl. American Medical Response (AMR) transported both of them to Stormont Vail Hospital with life-threatening injuries and the boy died, according to Stahl.Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control, and no other homes were damaged.After the fire was out, AMR transported a third resident of the home to the hospital to treat non-life-threatening injuries. A fourth occupant was able to escape the fire before the arrival of fire crews and had no injuries.The Topeka Fire Department Investigation Unit and investigators from the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshal continue working to determine the cause of the fire.&nbsp;&nbsp;At this time no foul play is suspected.The total dollar loss is estimated to be $120,000 with $80,000 in loss to the structure and $40,000 in loss to contents. There were no working smoke detectors in the home, according to Stahl.

Investigators work to determine cause of Kan. fire that killed 7-year-old

Latest wave brings total program commitments to nearly $4.2B

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission this week announced that it is committing $361,037,156.16 in its latest wave of Emergency Connectivity Fund program support.  This round of commitments will support 802 schools, 49 libraries and 8 consortia, which are approved to receive nearly 654,000 connected devices and over 313,000 broadband connections.  Today’s seventh funding wave brings total commitments to nearly $4.2 billion since the program was launched on June 29, 2021, supporting students, school staff, and library patrons in all 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.

“Today’s funding announcement will provide 700,000 more schoolchildren with the digital tools they need to connect with teachers and classmates,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel.  “The Emergency Connectivity Fund is the single largest effort to close the Homework Gap by bringing connectivity and devices to students and library patrons.  The need for this support is apparent in both rural and urban America and I’m pleased to note that with this funding we are supporting communities stretching from Aniak, Alaska, to New York City.”

The funding can be used to support off-campus learning, such as nightly homework and virtual learning, to ensure students across the country have the necessary support to keep up with their education.  Total commitments to date are supporting over 9,800 schools, 800 libraries, and 100 consortia for over 8.9 million connected devices and over 4.7 million broadband connections.  Today’s announcement includes nearly $155 million in commitments from Window 1 applications and over $206 million in commitments from Window 2 applications. 

More details about which schools and libraries have received funding commitments can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund. 

Detailed information on the status of Emergency Connectivity Fund applications is available in the Open Data Portal, including applicant details, requested funds, individual product or service details, funding commitment, and funding disbursement information.  Additional information on the Emergency Connectivity Fund program is available at: https://www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org.  The program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company, with oversight from and under rules unanimously adopted by the Federal Communications Commission.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584977952684.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Latest wave brings total program commitments to nearly $4.2B</h2> FCCWASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission this week announced that it is committing $361,037,156.16 in its latest wave of Emergency Connectivity Fund program support. This round of commitments will support 802 schools, 49 libraries and 8 consortia, which are approved to receive nearly 654,000 connected devices and over 313,000 broadband connections. Today’s seventh funding wave brings total commitments to nearly $4.2 billion since the program was launched on June 29, 2021, supporting students, school staff, and library patrons in all 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.“Today’s funding announcement will provide 700,000 more schoolchildren with the digital tools they need to connect with teachers and classmates,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “The Emergency Connectivity Fund is the single largest effort to close the Homework Gap by bringing connectivity and devices to students and library patrons. The need for this support is apparent in both rural and urban America and I’m pleased to note that with this funding we are supporting communities stretching from Aniak, Alaska, to New York City.”The funding can be used to support off-campus learning, such as nightly homework and virtual learning, to ensure students across the country have the necessary support to keep up with their education. Total commitments to date are supporting over 9,800 schools, 800 libraries, and 100 consortia for over 8.9 million connected devices and over 4.7 million broadband connections. Today’s announcement includes nearly $155 million in commitments from Window 1 applications and over $206 million in commitments from Window 2 applications. More details about which schools and libraries have received funding commitments can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund. Detailed information on the status of Emergency Connectivity Fund applications is available in the Open Data Portal, including applicant details, requested funds, individual product or service details, funding commitment, and funding disbursement information. Additional information on the Emergency Connectivity Fund program is available at: https://www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org. The program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company, with oversight from and under rules unanimously adopted by the Federal Communications Commission.

FCC: Another $361M set aside for emergency internet connection

If a friend asks for a favor, you do it, no questions asked. 
Right? Time to rethink that policy. In this new con, a scammer poses as a
 friend asking for a simple favor. The email is so convincing that BBB 
staff almost fell for it!

&nbsp;You get an email that appears to be from a friend 
or family member. The message looks harmless and casual—like something a
 friend might really write. For example, one version reads: “Hi, how are
 things going with you? Are you busy? I need a quick favor.” The message
 even ends with “Sent from my iPhone.” &nbsp;

Concerned about your friend, you reply and ask for more details. The 
“friend” quickly responds that they are trying to buy a gift card for 
their niece’s birthday. However, they are traveling and having trouble 
purchasing the card online. “Could you get it from any local grocery 
store around you?” reads the email. “I’ll pay you back as soon as I am 
back.” &nbsp;

The request sounds reasonable. But if you do buy the gift card, your 
“friend” will ask you share the card’s PIN and/or send a photo of the 
back of the card. Unfortunately, by doing this you are essentially 
handing money to the scammer. It’s nearly impossible to get the money 
back because <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23734-bbb-investigation-gift-card-scams-why-do-scammers-love-gift-cards" target="_blank">gift cards do not have the same protections</a> as credit or debit cards.

Learn more about how scammers use gift cards&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23735-bbb-investigation-gift-card-scams" target="_blank">in this BBB study on gift cards</a>&nbsp;and this&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/14400-dont-get-scammed-out-of-a-gift-card-this-season" target="_blank">tip about gift cons</a>. Also, read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/16918-bbb-scam-alert-emergency-scams" target="_blank">emergency scams</a> and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/21686-who-is-really-contacting-you" target="_blank">impostor scams</a>.

If you’ve spotted a scam (whether or not you’ve lost money), report it to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/ScamTracker" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>. Your report can help others avoid falling victim to scams.

Stay up on the latest scams by&nbsp;<a href="https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/1900156/1902645/" target="_blank">subscribing to BBB Scam Alerts emails</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBIf a friend asks for a favor, you do it, no questions asked. 
Right? Time to rethink that policy. In this new con, a scammer poses as a
 friend asking for a simple favor. The email is so convincing that BBB 
staff almost fell for it!<h2>How this scam works</h2>&nbsp;You get an email that appears to be from a friend 
or family member. The message looks harmless and casual—like something a
 friend might really write. For example, one version reads: “Hi, how are
 things going with you? Are you busy? I need a quick favor.” The message
 even ends with “Sent from my iPhone.” &nbsp;Concerned about your friend, you reply and ask for more details. The 
“friend” quickly responds that they are trying to buy a gift card for 
their niece’s birthday. However, they are traveling and having trouble 
purchasing the card online. “Could you get it from any local grocery 
store around you?” reads the email. “I’ll pay you back as soon as I am 
back.” &nbsp;The request sounds reasonable. But if you do buy the gift card, your 
“friend” will ask you share the card’s PIN and/or send a photo of the 
back of the card. Unfortunately, by doing this you are essentially 
handing money to the scammer. It’s nearly impossible to get the money 
back because <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23734-bbb-investigation-gift-card-scams-why-do-scammers-love-gift-cards" target="_blank">gift cards do not have the same protections</a> as credit or debit cards.<h2>Protect yourself from this con</h2><ul>
 <li> Reach out to your friend directly. If you get an unusual request, call or text your friend to confirm their story. No matter how harmless the story sounds, always double-check before sending someone money. </li><li>Use gift cards wisely.&nbsp;Never do business with 
anyone who insists on payment with gift cards. Remember, providing the 
numbers from the back of a gift card is just like sending cash. </li>
 </ul><h2>For more information</h2>Learn more about how scammers use gift cards&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23735-bbb-investigation-gift-card-scams" target="_blank">in this BBB study on gift cards</a>&nbsp;and this&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/14400-dont-get-scammed-out-of-a-gift-card-this-season" target="_blank">tip about gift cons</a>. Also, read more about <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/16918-bbb-scam-alert-emergency-scams" target="_blank">emergency scams</a> and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/21686-who-is-really-contacting-you" target="_blank">impostor scams</a>.If you’ve spotted a scam (whether or not you’ve lost money), report it to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/ScamTracker" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>. Your report can help others avoid falling victim to scams.Stay up on the latest scams by&nbsp;<a href="https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/1900156/1902645/" target="_blank">subscribing to BBB Scam Alerts emails</a>.&nbsp;

Scam alert: Don’t do this friend a favor. It’s really a clever scam

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a officer-involved shooting and have two suspects in custody.

Just after 5:35p.m. Sunday, an off-duty Sedgwick County sheriff’s deputy was alerted to a theft from a business at Harry and Webb in Wichita, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick.

The deputy contacted the suspects of the theft outside of the business. During the contact, one of the suspects drove a vehicle towards the deputy. The deputy fired one round into the vehicle which didn’t strike any of the vehicle occupants. After the shot, the suspects fled in the same vehicle.

A short time later, the Wichita Police Department located the suspects and the vehicle near Oliver and Morris. They arrested 55-year-old Lisa Young and and 31-year-old Able Molina both of Wichita.

The KBI, Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, and the Professional Standards Unit of the sheriff’s office were notified.

The deputy involved is 34 years old and has been a patrol deputy with the sheriff’s office for 7 years. He was not injured, according to Lt. Blick.

Lisa Young i<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=51609">s being held </a>on requested charges of Aggravated Assault and drug charges. Able Molina was booked on requested charges of Theft and drug charges.

Upon the completion of the criminal investigation, the case will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office for review.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641845570693.png" alt="Molina-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Molina-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a officer-involved shooting and have two suspects in custody.Just after 5:35p.m. Sunday, an off-duty Sedgwick County sheriff’s deputy was alerted to a theft from a business at Harry and Webb in Wichita, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick.The deputy contacted the suspects of the theft outside of the business. During the contact, one of the suspects drove a vehicle towards the deputy. The deputy fired one round into the vehicle which didn’t strike any of the vehicle occupants. After the shot, the suspects fled in the same vehicle.A short time later, the Wichita Police Department located the suspects and the vehicle near Oliver and Morris. They arrested 55-year-old Lisa Young and and 31-year-old Able Molina both of Wichita.The KBI, Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, and the Professional Standards Unit of the sheriff’s office were notified.The deputy involved is 34 years old and has been a patrol deputy with the sheriff’s office for 7 years. He was not injured, according to Lt. Blick.Lisa Young i<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=51609">s being held </a>on requested charges of Aggravated Assault and drug charges. Able Molina was booked on requested charges of Theft and drug charges.Upon the completion of the criminal investigation, the case will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office for review.

Off duty Kan. deputy fired gun at suspects who drove car at him

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on multiple charges after a traffic stop.

Just before 2p.m. Sunday, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a silver 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck near SW 37th Street and South Kansas Avenue for an expired license plate, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. A K9 Unit assisted and illegal narcotics were located.

The driver, Alice L. Ackors-King (35) of Topeka, was placed into custody and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving with an expired license plate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641853056375.png" alt="Ackors-King-photo Shawnee Co" />
 <figcaption>Ackors-King-photo Shawnee Co</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on multiple charges after a traffic stop.Just before 2p.m. Sunday, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a silver 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck near SW 37th Street and South Kansas Avenue for an expired license plate, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. A K9 Unit assisted and illegal narcotics were located.The driver, Alice L. Ackors-King (35) of Topeka, was placed into custody and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving with an expired license plate.

Sheriff's K-9 helps arrest Kansas woman after traffic stop 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating&nbsp; shooting outside a weekend&nbsp; party have identified the victim as 39-year-old Justine Bell of Wichita.&nbsp;

Shortly after 2:00 a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 2200 block of E. 12th street N. in Wichita, according to officer Trevor Macy.

At the scene, police located a Bell with a single gunshot wound. She was transported to an area hospital for treatment of critical injuries.

Investigators learned that a party took place at the location on 12th street when an argument broke out in the parking lot. This led to multiple shots being fired. One of the shots struck Bell. 

It is believed that multiple people then began to flee the location, and at least one vehicle struck Bell causing additional injuries.

Police have not reported an arrest or updated Bell's condition.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating&nbsp; shooting outside a weekend&nbsp; party have identified the victim as 39-year-old Justine Bell of Wichita.&nbsp;Shortly after 2:00 a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 2200 block of E. 12th street N. in Wichita, according to officer Trevor Macy.At the scene, police located a Bell with a single gunshot wound. She was transported to an area hospital for treatment of critical injuries.Investigators learned that a party took place at the location on 12th street when an argument broke out in the parking lot. This led to multiple shots being fired. One of the shots struck Bell. It is believed that multiple people then began to flee the location, and at least one vehicle struck Bell causing additional injuries.Police have not reported an arrest or updated Bell's condition.

Police ID Kansas woman shot, struck by car outside party

PAWNEE COUNTY–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Larned Police Department, and the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office released additional details related to the homicides that occurred in Larned on Saturday, according to a media release from the KBI.

The investigation determined that just after 3 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8, Jon Smith arrived in a pickup truck at Shala Smith’s residence at 524 Park St. in Larned. He entered the house alone, while carrying a shotgun. Evidence indicates that he shot and killed both Shala Smith, his wife although separated, and Carver Smith, his 12-year-old son. He then shot himself.

The autopsies confirmed that the manners of death for Shala and Carver were homicide and that Jon’s manner of death was suicide.

PAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an incident that left three dead in Pawnee County.

Just after 9p.m. Saturday, the Larned Police Department received a 911 call from a man who discovered the three subjects dead inside a residence at 524 Park Street Larned, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

At the scene, first responders located 44-year-old Shala M. Smith,&nbsp; 12-year-old Carver A. Smith and 44-year-old Jon B. Smith all of Larned, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. They each died from gunshot wounds. They were pronounced dead by the coroner at the scene, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to Larned to investigate.

No threat to the public is believed to exist related to this incident. Additional details will be released after the autopsies are completed.

PAWNEE COUNTY–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Larned Police Department, and the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office released additional details related to the homicides that occurred in Larned on Saturday, according to a media release from the KBI.The investigation determined that just after 3 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8, Jon Smith arrived in a pickup truck at Shala Smith’s residence at 524 Park St. in Larned. He entered the house alone, while carrying a shotgun. Evidence indicates that he shot and killed both Shala Smith, his wife although separated, and Carver Smith, his 12-year-old son. He then shot himself.The autopsies confirmed that the manners of death for Shala and Carver were homicide and that Jon’s manner of death was suicide.----------PAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an incident that left three dead in Pawnee County.Just after 9p.m. Saturday, the Larned Police Department received a 911 call from a man who discovered the three subjects dead inside a residence at 524 Park Street Larned, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.At the scene, first responders located 44-year-old Shala M. Smith,&nbsp; 12-year-old Carver A. Smith and 44-year-old Jon B. Smith all of Larned, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. They each died from gunshot wounds. They were pronounced dead by the coroner at the scene, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to Larned to investigate.No threat to the public is believed to exist related to this incident. Additional details will be released after the autopsies are completed.-------------

KBI update: 2 adults, 12-year-old found dead in Kan. home

BUTLER COUNTY—Authorities investigating a fatal house fire in Butler County have made an arrest.

Late Friday, the El Dorado Police and Fire Departments responded to the fire at a home in the 300 block of N Taylor in El Dorado, according to a media release.

First responders learned there was an individual inside of the home. Emergency personnel were able to retrieve this individual from the home and administered life saving measures. 

Unfortunately, the individual did succumb to their injuries and was pronounced deceased. On Monday, 46-year-old David J. Poulter from El Dorado,&nbsp; was charged with 1st degree murder, aggravated arson and assault on a law enforcement officer in connection with the fire.

&nbsp;Authorities have not released the victim's name or additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641844111037.png" alt="Poulter is being held in the Butler Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Poulter is being held in the Butler Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY—Authorities investigating a fatal house fire in Butler County have made an arrest.Late Friday, the El Dorado Police and Fire Departments responded to the fire at a home in the 300 block of N Taylor in El Dorado, according to a media release.First responders learned there was an individual inside of the home. Emergency personnel were able to retrieve this individual from the home and administered life saving measures. Unfortunately, the individual did succumb to their injuries and was pronounced deceased. On Monday, 46-year-old David J. Poulter from El Dorado,&nbsp; was charged with 1st degree murder, aggravated arson and assault on a law enforcement officer in connection with the fire.&nbsp;Authorities have not released the victim's name or additional details.

Police: Kan. man accused of murder for fatal house fire

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/10/legislators-governor-agree-to-allocate-154-million-in-federal-stimulus-funding/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly and 
legislative leaders unanimously agreed Monday to dedicate $154 million 
in federal stimulus funding to support economic development with 
construction of commercial buildings and to improve resources available 
to low-income students struggling in school.

Members of the State Finance Council, which includes Republicans and 
Democrats from the Senate and House, adopted a recommendation to set 
aside $100 million for expansion of structures needed to expand or 
attract businesses and jobs. The council also directed $50 million at a 
new program of $1,000 per-child grants to be used by families in the way
 most useful to students struggling through the pandemic.

In addition, $4 million was approved to help school districts upgrade internet connections to high-speed broadband services.

The spending plan was recommended by a public-private board known as 
SPARK, or Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas. Two SPARK 
members raised sharp objections to the Kelly administration’s plan to 
support business and education, but were outvoted.

Lt. Gov. David Toland, who also serves as secretary at the Kansas 
Department of Commerce, said a shortage of commercial space existed in 
some areas of the state. No decisions have been made about which 
communities or businesses would receive the funding, he said.

“It will be a competitive pot of money that businesses, communities 
and others will apply to for their individual projects,” Toland said. 
“This fund would also support economic development infrastructure, 
including the extension of utilities to business and industrial sites.”

Houses Speaker Ron Ryckman, a Republican from Olathe, sought more 
details about how the state would decide which 50,000 students in Kansas
 received $1,000 grants for social and mental health services, tutoring,
 books, school supplies and other educational aids.

Ryckman estimated there were 250,000 students in Kansas receiving 
free or reduce lunch who might be eligible for learning recovery 
assistance.

“How are we going to pick 50,000 students?” Ryckman said. “How do we select those 50,000 parents or families?”

Kelly said established metrics tied to household income would be 
relied upon to identify eligible families, who would be responsible for 
applying for grants.

“The grants will be allocated for the lowest income folks, households
 at the beginning,” the governor said. “We open up the grant process. 
There is a deadline to apply for that. At the end of that deadline, if 
that income level had not applied for all of the grants to use up the 
$50 million, then we would open up to the next higher tier of income.”

She said the state’s COVID-19 recovery office would work on selecting
 a vendor that would provide families with an online portal to gain 
access to approved expenditures.

“We will put up the guardrails to ensure we don’t get scammed here and don’t overpay a vendor,” Kelly said.

The appropriation was drawn from about $1.6 billion in stimulus aid 
sent to Kansas by Congress. In the past, the State Finance Council 
agreed to spend $27 million for coronavirus testing, $30 million to 
enhance salaries of hard-to-fill state jobs and $50 million for 
compensation bonuses to nurses.

Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641846972902.jpg" alt="The Kansas Finance Council comprised of Gov. Laura Kelly and eight legislative leaders voted to use federal stimulus funding on a $50 million program to help students struggling through the pandemic and $100 million to assist with infrastructure projects to attract or retain jobs. Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Finance Council comprised of Gov. Laura Kelly and eight legislative leaders voted to use federal stimulus funding on a $50 million program to help students struggling through the pandemic and $100 million to assist with infrastructure projects to attract or retain jobs. Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/01/10/legislators-governor-agree-to-allocate-154-million-in-federal-stimulus-funding/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly and 
legislative leaders unanimously agreed Monday to dedicate $154 million 
in federal stimulus funding to support economic development with 
construction of commercial buildings and to improve resources available 
to low-income students struggling in school.Members of the State Finance Council, which includes Republicans and 
Democrats from the Senate and House, adopted a recommendation to set 
aside $100 million for expansion of structures needed to expand or 
attract businesses and jobs. The council also directed $50 million at a 
new program of $1,000 per-child grants to be used by families in the way
 most useful to students struggling through the pandemic.In addition, $4 million was approved to help school districts upgrade internet connections to high-speed broadband services.The spending plan was recommended by a public-private board known as 
SPARK, or Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas. Two SPARK 
members raised sharp objections to the Kelly administration’s plan to 
support business and education, but were outvoted.Lt. Gov. David Toland, who also serves as secretary at the Kansas 
Department of Commerce, said a shortage of commercial space existed in 
some areas of the state. No decisions have been made about which 
communities or businesses would receive the funding, he said.“It will be a competitive pot of money that businesses, communities 
and others will apply to for their individual projects,” Toland said. 
“This fund would also support economic development infrastructure, 
including the extension of utilities to business and industrial sites.”Houses Speaker Ron Ryckman, a Republican from Olathe, sought more 
details about how the state would decide which 50,000 students in Kansas
 received $1,000 grants for social and mental health services, tutoring,
 books, school supplies and other educational aids.Ryckman estimated there were 250,000 students in Kansas receiving 
free or reduce lunch who might be eligible for learning recovery 
assistance.“How are we going to pick 50,000 students?” Ryckman said. “How do we select those 50,000 parents or families?”Kelly said established metrics tied to household income would be 
relied upon to identify eligible families, who would be responsible for 
applying for grants.“The grants will be allocated for the lowest income folks, households
 at the beginning,” the governor said. “We open up the grant process. 
There is a deadline to apply for that. At the end of that deadline, if 
that income level had not applied for all of the grants to use up the 
$50 million, then we would open up to the next higher tier of income.”She said the state’s COVID-19 recovery office would work on selecting
 a vendor that would provide families with an online portal to gain 
access to approved expenditures.“We will put up the guardrails to ensure we don’t get scammed here and don’t overpay a vendor,” Kelly said.The appropriation was drawn from about $1.6 billion in stimulus aid 
sent to Kansas by Congress. In the past, the State Finance Council 
agreed to spend $27 million for coronavirus testing, $30 million to 
enhance salaries of hard-to-fill state jobs and $50 million for 
compensation bonuses to nurses.Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.&nbsp;

Legislators, governor agree to allocate $154M in federal stimulus funding

I finally paid off all my debt except for my house, and I have an emergency fund of six months of expenses saved. It feels great to be in control of my money, but I am afraid I might lose control again and end up back where I started before I began following your plan. How can you make sure your leisure spending doesn’t get out of hand?

I get what you’re saying. You don’t want to go back to those days of being scared and out of control where your finances are concerned. You spent a lot of time, made tons of sacrifices, and put in lots of disciplined hard work&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/debt/debt-calculator">getting out of debt</a>, changing your behavior, and finally reached a point where you’re winning with money. Most people don’t forget the hardship and sacrifices that go into something like that, and I don’t think you will, either.

There’s a season to be strict, hard-nosed, and deny yourself things. There’s also a time to act like an adult, and forego instant gratification, like during those early&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/dave-ramsey-7-baby-steps">Baby Steps</a>. But some self-care and a little fun is important once in a while, too. One way to enjoy life without going financially overboard is to make a budget line for fun money.

Putting fun money in your budget isn’t a green light to forget your money goals, or go on a spending free-for-all. It’s actually part of sticking to your budget. Remember, you want a&nbsp;zero-based budget. That means giving&nbsp;every&nbsp;dollar a job, and having a fun money category helps you focus on&nbsp;all&nbsp;your spending, so you don’t accidently waste money on little things here and there.

When you give yourself a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/guide-to-budgeting">budget</a>&nbsp;line for fun, you can spend that amount on whatever you want. We talk a lot about goals and how they need to be a balance of empowering and realistic.&nbsp;Budgeting&nbsp;fun money helps with the realistic side, because it lets you stick to your goals&nbsp;and&nbsp;have a treat every now and then.

When you think of your budget as&nbsp;permission to spend, you get a new perspective on budgeting. You’re giving your money permission to go where you want it to go. Plus, when you treat yourself once in a while, you’re less likely to fall back in your old, financially-out-of-control ways!

*&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/">Dave Ramsey</a>&nbsp;is a seven-time #1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host ofThe Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He&nbsp;has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635524005597.png" alt="Dave Ramsey" />
 <figcaption>Dave Ramsey</figcaption>
 </figure>Dear Dave,I finally paid off all my debt except for my house, and I have an emergency fund of six months of expenses saved. It feels great to be in control of my money, but I am afraid I might lose control again and end up back where I started before I began following your plan. How can you make sure your leisure spending doesn’t get out of hand?LavellDear Lavell,I get what you’re saying. You don’t want to go back to those days of being scared and out of control where your finances are concerned. You spent a lot of time, made tons of sacrifices, and put in lots of disciplined hard work&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/debt/debt-calculator">getting out of debt</a>, changing your behavior, and finally reached a point where you’re winning with money. Most people don’t forget the hardship and sacrifices that go into something like that, and I don’t think you will, either.There’s a season to be strict, hard-nosed, and deny yourself things. There’s also a time to act like an adult, and forego instant gratification, like during those early&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/dave-ramsey-7-baby-steps">Baby Steps</a>. But some self-care and a little fun is important once in a while, too. One way to enjoy life without going financially overboard is to make a budget line for fun money.Putting fun money in your budget isn’t a green light to forget your money goals, or go on a spending free-for-all. It’s actually part of sticking to your budget. Remember, you want a&nbsp;zero-based budget. That means giving&nbsp;every&nbsp;dollar a job, and having a fun money category helps you focus on&nbsp;all&nbsp;your spending, so you don’t accidently waste money on little things here and there.When you give yourself a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/guide-to-budgeting">budget</a>&nbsp;line for fun, you can spend that amount on whatever you want. We talk a lot about goals and how they need to be a balance of empowering and realistic.&nbsp;Budgeting&nbsp;fun money helps with the realistic side, because it lets you stick to your goals&nbsp;and&nbsp;have a treat every now and then.When you think of your budget as&nbsp;permission to spend, you get a new perspective on budgeting. You’re giving your money permission to go where you want it to go. Plus, when you treat yourself once in a while, you’re less likely to fall back in your old, financially-out-of-control ways!— Dave*&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/">Dave Ramsey</a>&nbsp;is a seven-time #1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host ofThe Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He&nbsp;has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.

DAVE SAYS: Make a budget line for fun money

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities in Kansas City, Kansas are investigating the first homicide of 2022.

Just before 3a.m. Monday, police responded to report of a shooting the 2600 Block of 37th Street, according to a media release.

First responders discovered a deceased Hispanic man inside the home, a victim of gunfire. The KCPD major case unit is in charge of the investigation.&nbsp; &nbsp;Authorities released no additional details Monday morning.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641833217883.png" alt="Photo courtesy KMBC TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KMBC TV</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities in Kansas City, Kansas are investigating the first homicide of 2022.Just before 3a.m. Monday, police responded to report of a shooting the 2600 Block of 37th Street, according to a media release.First responders discovered a deceased Hispanic man inside the home, a victim of gunfire. The KCPD major case unit is in charge of the investigation.&nbsp; &nbsp;Authorities released no additional details Monday morning.

Police in KCK investigate first homicide of 2022

By Scott Edger&nbsp; Little Apple Post&nbsp;

Following nine years of flat funding, Riley County Community Corrections and its sister agencies around the state are in crisis.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Riley&nbsp;County&nbsp;Community&nbsp;Corrections&nbsp;Director Shelly Williams&nbsp;told the&nbsp;Board of the&nbsp;Board of Commissioners&nbsp;Monday&nbsp;that&nbsp;her agency needs&nbsp;its&nbsp;direct support and action in order to fulfill&nbsp;its&nbsp;mandated mission.&nbsp;

Riley County Community Corrections provides supervision of moderate to high-risk adult felony and juvenile offenders in Riley and Clay Counties.&nbsp;

There are&nbsp;about 115 adult offenders currently registered with Riley County community corrections, according to Williams, with about 70 of those being&nbsp;for person felonies.&nbsp;

Kansas has a trifurcated system of community supervision. Three different entities&nbsp;currently&nbsp;fulfill roles within the system.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Kansas judicial branch&nbsp;provides&nbsp;support services and, while the County&nbsp;funds operations and provide space,&nbsp;the&nbsp;workers are state employees.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Department of Corrections operates jails and runs the parole system, again with state employees funded through&nbsp;the&nbsp;DOC&nbsp;budget.&nbsp;

For&nbsp;this fiscal year, the Kansas legislature appropriated roughly $10.8 million for judicial branch pay increases and $4.3 million for its support officer&nbsp;positions.&nbsp;

The DOC provides Community Corrections with&nbsp;funding and oversight,&nbsp;however&nbsp;individual offices are&nbsp;county agencies&nbsp;and staffed with&nbsp;county employees.&nbsp;

This year governor Laura Kelly issued an executive order&nbsp;shortly&nbsp;before Thanksgiving that allocated just over $500,000 for&nbsp;parole officer pay increases fiscal year 2022,&nbsp;and almost $1&nbsp;million for 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to Williams, Community&nbsp;Corrections agencies did not receive any of&nbsp;the approved&nbsp;new funding.&nbsp;

“Those salary increases for the other agencies impact Community Corrections’ ability to maintain its own workforce,” she said, “and as a result public safety is, and will be negatively impacted.”&nbsp;

She&nbsp;also pointed out that for at least the last nine years funding for&nbsp;community corrections has remained essentially flat.&nbsp;Community Corrections funding comes out of the&nbsp;state's&nbsp;general fund -&nbsp;competing against roads and schools and every other line item.&nbsp;

Williams said that when agencies are underfunded and understaffed, caseloads become too large to adequately supervise high risk offenders and “intensive supervision is at risk.”&nbsp;

The offenders her agency supervises in the community have serious criminal histories and over 53&nbsp;percent have both mental health and substance use issues,&nbsp;according to Williams.&nbsp;She said it simply comes down to having enough staff to do effective work.&nbsp;

“Community Corrections officers do not have enough time to spend with these offenders doing the difficult work of changing offender behavior,” she said. “Underfunded agencies cannot afford to dedicate staff time to programming targeted teaching.”&nbsp;

Williams asked commissioners to use whatever influence or connections they may have&nbsp;two&nbsp;influence legislation to better compensate community corrections personnel, and hopefully maintain and attract&nbsp;employees.&nbsp;

“The inability to recruit and maintain skilled staff means less experience and specialized officers,” Williams said, “and less means more... more crime,&nbsp;more victims,&nbsp;more jail confinement,&nbsp;more future recidivism.”&nbsp;

Williams said agencies around the state are working closely with the&nbsp;Kansas Secretary of Corrections,&nbsp;Jeff Zmuda,&nbsp;who is advocating strongly for&nbsp;increased&nbsp;funding for Community Corrections.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641838863936.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Scott Edger&nbsp; Little Apple Post&nbsp;Following nine years of flat funding, Riley County Community Corrections and its sister agencies around the state are in crisis.&nbsp;&nbsp;Riley&nbsp;County&nbsp;Community&nbsp;Corrections&nbsp;Director Shelly Williams&nbsp;told the&nbsp;Board of the&nbsp;Board of Commissioners&nbsp;Monday&nbsp;that&nbsp;her agency needs&nbsp;its&nbsp;direct support and action in order to fulfill&nbsp;its&nbsp;mandated mission.&nbsp;Riley County Community Corrections provides supervision of moderate to high-risk adult felony and juvenile offenders in Riley and Clay Counties.&nbsp;There are&nbsp;about 115 adult offenders currently registered with Riley County community corrections, according to Williams, with about 70 of those being&nbsp;for person felonies.&nbsp;Kansas has a trifurcated system of community supervision. Three different entities&nbsp;currently&nbsp;fulfill roles within the system.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Kansas judicial branch&nbsp;provides&nbsp;support services and, while the County&nbsp;funds operations and provide space,&nbsp;the&nbsp;workers are state employees.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Department of Corrections operates jails and runs the parole system, again with state employees funded through&nbsp;the&nbsp;DOC&nbsp;budget.&nbsp;For&nbsp;this fiscal year, the Kansas legislature appropriated roughly $10.8 million for judicial branch pay increases and $4.3 million for its support officer&nbsp;positions.&nbsp;The DOC provides Community Corrections with&nbsp;funding and oversight,&nbsp;however&nbsp;individual offices are&nbsp;county agencies&nbsp;and staffed with&nbsp;county employees.&nbsp;This year governor Laura Kelly issued an executive order&nbsp;shortly&nbsp;before Thanksgiving that allocated just over $500,000 for&nbsp;parole officer pay increases fiscal year 2022,&nbsp;and almost $1&nbsp;million for 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to Williams, Community&nbsp;Corrections agencies did not receive any of&nbsp;the approved&nbsp;new funding.&nbsp;“Those salary increases for the other agencies impact Community Corrections’ ability to maintain its own workforce,” she said, “and as a result public safety is, and will be negatively impacted.”&nbsp;She&nbsp;also pointed out that for at least the last nine years funding for&nbsp;community corrections has remained essentially flat.&nbsp;Community Corrections funding comes out of the&nbsp;state's&nbsp;general fund -&nbsp;competing against roads and schools and every other line item.&nbsp;Williams said that when agencies are underfunded and understaffed, caseloads become too large to adequately supervise high risk offenders and “intensive supervision is at risk.”&nbsp;The offenders her agency supervises in the community have serious criminal histories and over 53&nbsp;percent have both mental health and substance use issues,&nbsp;according to Williams.&nbsp;She said it simply comes down to having enough staff to do effective work.&nbsp;“Community Corrections officers do not have enough time to spend with these offenders doing the difficult work of changing offender behavior,” she said. “Underfunded agencies cannot afford to dedicate staff time to programming targeted teaching.”&nbsp;Williams asked commissioners to use whatever influence or connections they may have&nbsp;two&nbsp;influence legislation to better compensate community corrections personnel, and hopefully maintain and attract&nbsp;employees.&nbsp;“The inability to recruit and maintain skilled staff means less experience and specialized officers,” Williams said, “and less means more... more crime,&nbsp;more victims,&nbsp;more jail confinement,&nbsp;more future recidivism.”&nbsp;Williams said agencies around the state are working closely with the&nbsp;Kansas Secretary of Corrections,&nbsp;Jeff Zmuda,&nbsp;who is advocating strongly for&nbsp;increased&nbsp;funding for Community Corrections.&nbsp;

Community Corrections in Kansas in crisis

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 13,557 to a total of 579,619 the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The state reported 18 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 7,114.

<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 13,557 to a total of 579,619 the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;&nbsp;The state reported 18 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 7,114.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641839812688.png" alt="Monday January 10, 2022" />
 <figcaption>Monday January 10, 2022</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: 13,500 new cases, 18 more COVID deaths

SHAWNEE COUNTY—A 7-year-old boy died from injuries in a fire at a Kansas home on Monday.

Just before 7a.m., fire crews responded to a house fire at 1432 SW MacVicar Avenue in Topeka, according to&nbsp;Public Education Officer Alan Stahl.

Fire crews made an interior attack on the fire. They located and rescued a 7-year-old boy and an adult female, according to Stahl.

 American Medical Response (AMR) transported them to Stormont Vail Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The boy later died, according to Stahl.

The Topeka Fire Department Investigation Unit and investigators from the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshal are working to determine the cause of the fire.&nbsp; Names of the victims have not been released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641835732799.png" alt="Crews on the scene of the fatal house fire Monday in Topeka-photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Crews on the scene of the fatal house fire Monday in Topeka-photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—A 7-year-old boy died from injuries in a fire at a Kansas home on Monday.Just before 7a.m., fire crews responded to a house fire at 1432 SW MacVicar Avenue in Topeka, according to&nbsp;Public Education Officer Alan Stahl.Before their arrival, fire crews were advised there were possibly residents trapped in the home. They immediately found the home with heavy fire and smoke coming from the first floor. Fire crews made an interior attack on the fire. They located and rescued a 7-year-old boy and an adult female, according to Stahl. American Medical Response (AMR) transported them to Stormont Vail Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The boy later died, according to Stahl.Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control, and no other homes were damaged.After the fire was out, AMR transported a third resident of the home to the hospital to treat non-life-threatening injuries. A fourth occupant was able to escape the fire before the arrival of fire crews and had no injuries.The Topeka Fire Department Investigation Unit and investigators from the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshal are working to determine the cause of the fire.&nbsp; Names of the victims have not been released.

7-year-old dies from injuries in Kansas house fire

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Salina man for allegedly driving in reverse across Salina on Saturday evening.

Just after 7:30p.m., patrol officers were alerted to the report of a Chevrolet Camaro driving in reverse westbound on E. Crawford Street near Marymount Road, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.&nbsp;

An officer located the Camaro headed north on Ninth Street and attempted to stop it in the 100 block of N. Ninth Street. The Camaro, however, continued and eventually turned west on Park Street before pulling over in the 700 block of Park Street, facing the wrong way on the street, according to Forrester.

The driver, identified as Anthony Sustaita, 24, of Salina, was arrested on the following requested charges of misdemeanor flee and elude, reckless driving, and driving while suspended or revoked. Sustaita told police that the Camaro was having mechanical issues and he had to drive it in reverse

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641743153558.jpeg" alt="Sustaita-photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Sustaita-photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Salina man for allegedly driving in reverse across Salina on Saturday evening.Just after 7:30p.m., patrol officers were alerted to the report of a Chevrolet Camaro driving in reverse westbound on E. Crawford Street near Marymount Road, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.&nbsp;An officer located the Camaro headed north on Ninth Street and attempted to stop it in the 100 block of N. Ninth Street. The Camaro, however, continued and eventually turned west on Park Street before pulling over in the 700 block of Park Street, facing the wrong way on the street, according to Forrester.The driver, identified as Anthony Sustaita, 24, of Salina, was arrested on the following requested charges of misdemeanor flee and elude, reckless driving, and driving while suspended or revoked. Sustaita told police that the Camaro was having mechanical issues and he had to drive it in reverse

Police: Man arrested for driving Camaro in reverse across Salina

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend bar shooting in Topeka.

Just after 2:30 a.m. Saturday, a Topeka Police officer was flagged down by the staff of 45th Street Bar, 4601 SW Topeka Blvd. about a disturbance occurring inside. As the officer pulled into the bar, he observed numerous patrons running out of the business and yelling, “Shots fired," according to Lt. Manuel Munoz.

The officer requested emergency back up to his location. As those officers were arriving, they observed a security officer detaining an individual at gunpoint outside in the parking lot. The individual was taken into custody without incident. 

Officers were then told by people leaving the business that there was a male victim shot. 

The officers located an individual who was suffering injuries that resulted from a fight inside, but not from being shot. The individual did not wish to file a report and was uncooperative. Officers talked to several patrons, but no additional victims were located. Officers did recover a handgun near where the individual that was taken into custody.

During the course of the investigation, officers determined that the subject in their custody, later identified as 29-year-old William Kevon Elmore of Topeka had been involved in an altercation while inside the business. 

During the incident, the Elmore fired a gun and was later detained outside by security. Police transported Elmore to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and booked him on requested charges of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Criminal Discharge of a Firearm within City Limits.

Later in the day, officers were called to a local hospital in reference a victim who had arrived suffering from not life threatening gunshot wound. During the investigation, it was determined that the victim had been at the 45th Street Bar when the altercation took place.

The victim was shot during the incident and ran out from the establishment and later went to the hospital for treatment. As a result of Sunday's investigation, an additional requested charge of Aggravated Battery was added to Elmore, who remains in custody. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641820851923.png" alt="Elmore-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Elmore-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend bar shooting in Topeka.Just after 2:30 a.m. Saturday, a Topeka Police officer was flagged down by the staff of 45th Street Bar, 4601 SW Topeka Blvd. about a disturbance occurring inside. As the officer pulled into the bar, he observed numerous patrons running out of the business and yelling, “Shots fired," according to Lt. Manuel Munoz.The officer requested emergency back up to his location. As those officers were arriving, they observed a security officer detaining an individual at gunpoint outside in the parking lot. The individual was taken into custody without incident. Officers were then told by people leaving the business that there was a male victim shot. The officers located an individual who was suffering injuries that resulted from a fight inside, but not from being shot. The individual did not wish to file a report and was uncooperative. Officers talked to several patrons, but no additional victims were located. Officers did recover a handgun near where the individual that was taken into custody.During the course of the investigation, officers determined that the subject in their custody, later identified as 29-year-old William Kevon Elmore of Topeka had been involved in an altercation while inside the business. During the incident, the Elmore fired a gun and was later detained outside by security. Police transported Elmore to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and booked him on requested charges of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Criminal Discharge of a Firearm within City Limits.Later in the day, officers were called to a local hospital in reference a victim who had arrived suffering from not life threatening gunshot wound. During the investigation, it was determined that the victim had been at the 45th Street Bar when the altercation took place.The victim was shot during the incident and ran out from the establishment and later went to the hospital for treatment. As a result of Sunday's investigation, an additional requested charge of Aggravated Battery was added to Elmore, who remains in custody.

Kansas man jailed after shooting during weekend bar fight

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden announced last month that the federal government will buy half a billion COVID-19 rapid test kits and distribute them free to people to use at home. But despite high public demand for tests, it will still be several more weeks before these kits are available to be shipped, White House officials said.

Not yet. Last week marked the close of an initial bidding period for test manufacturers to apply to the departments of Defense and Health and Human Services for contracts to make the tests. The first contract, worth $51.6 million, was awarded Thursday and a second for 13.3 million tests was assigned Friday. Additional contracts will be signed in the coming weeks, officials said. All 500 million kits will not arrive at the same time. They will be delivered in batches over months.

The federal government is expected to get delivery of the first batch of tests “over the next week or so,” according to White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients. Americans will start receiving them “in the coming weeks” he added.

MY DRUGSTORE DOESN’T HAVE ANY TESTS. HOW CAN I GET A FREE KIT FROM THE GOVERNMENT?

You’ll go to a new government website to request a kit, but the site won’t be operating until after the first batch of test kits has been delivered to the government. “We’re obviously not going to put the website up until there are tests available,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last month.

The Postal Service will handle fulfillment and shipment of tests to Americans’ doorsteps, officials said.

It’s unclear. But Psaki noted that the Food and Drug Administration has approved several different brands of rapid home tests that are currently on the market. While they are packaged differently and may use slightly different procedures, officials said, their mechanisms of detection and effectiveness are generally the same.

WILL I BE LIMITED TO ONE TEST OR CAN I REQUEST MULTIPLE?

To be determined. Officials are also working on policies for how frequently people can request a free test. That’s expected to come with a new focus on educating Americans about best practices for when they should take a test.

It represents an acknowledgement by the president that the administration needs to do more to increase access to COVID-19 testing, which is an important tool to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

In cases where infected people show symptoms or not, testing is the only way to find out if they have the virus so they can avoid being out and about and potentially spreading disease.

Demand for test kits soared as the holidays neared and people grew eager to test themselves and their families before traveling and as the easily transmissible omicron variant spread rapidly in just a few weeks to become dominant strain in the U.S.

Biden’s promise of 500 million test kits is in addition to the administration’s earlier pledge to send 50 million rapid tests to community health centers across the country.

The purchase will be paid for with money from the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill Biden signed into law in March, the White House said. The exact cost will be known soon.

IS THERE ANOTHER WAY TO GET A TEST KIT FOR FREE

Starting Jan. 15, private insurers will be required to cover the cost of at-home testing, the same way they cover the cost of PCR lab tests. People will have the option of buying tests at a store or online, then seeking reimbursement from their health insurance provider. Those with public health insurance through Medicare or Medicaid, or without insurance, will be directed to the forthcoming website to order tests or to community health centers in their area offering free testing.

WILL THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAM MAKE IT HARDER FOR ME TO FIND A TEST AT THE DRUGSTORE?

White House officials say the government tests are coming from new manufacturing capacity and should not interfere with existing supplies that drugstores, health clinics and state governments are relying on.

“These are additional tests,” Zients said, made possible by the fact that the FDA has authorized many new ones in the last few months. “So, there’s a lot more capacity for rapid tests.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635437156930.png" alt="According to President Biden, starting Jan. 15, private insurers will be required to cover the cost of at-home testing, the same way they cover the cost of PCR lab tests. -White House photo" />
 <figcaption>According to President Biden, starting Jan. 15, private insurers will be required to cover the cost of at-home testing, the same way they cover the cost of PCR lab tests. -White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden announced last month that the federal government will buy half a billion COVID-19 rapid test kits and distribute them free to people to use at home. But despite high public demand for tests, it will still be several more weeks before these kits are available to be shipped, White House officials said.DOES THE GOVERNMENT HAVE THE TESTS?Not yet. Last week marked the close of an initial bidding period for test manufacturers to apply to the departments of Defense and Health and Human Services for contracts to make the tests. The first contract, worth $51.6 million, was awarded Thursday and a second for 13.3 million tests was assigned Friday. Additional contracts will be signed in the coming weeks, officials said. All 500 million kits will not arrive at the same time. They will be delivered in batches over months.WHEN WILL THE TEST KITS BE DELIVERED?The federal government is expected to get delivery of the first batch of tests “over the next week or so,” according to White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients. Americans will start receiving them “in the coming weeks” he added.MY DRUGSTORE DOESN’T HAVE ANY TESTS. HOW CAN I GET A FREE KIT FROM THE GOVERNMENT?You’ll go to a new government website to request a kit, but the site won’t be operating until after the first batch of test kits has been delivered to the government. “We’re obviously not going to put the website up until there are tests available,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last month.The Postal Service will handle fulfillment and shipment of tests to Americans’ doorsteps, officials said.WHICH HOME TEST WILL I GET?It’s unclear. But Psaki noted that the Food and Drug Administration has approved several different brands of rapid home tests that are currently on the market. While they are packaged differently and may use slightly different procedures, officials said, their mechanisms of detection and effectiveness are generally the same.WILL I BE LIMITED TO ONE TEST OR CAN I REQUEST MULTIPLE?To be determined. Officials are also working on policies for how frequently people can request a free test. That’s expected to come with a new focus on educating Americans about best practices for when they should take a test.WHY IS BIDEN BUYING THESE TEST KITS?It represents an acknowledgement by the president that the administration needs to do more to increase access to COVID-19 testing, which is an important tool to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.In cases where infected people show symptoms or not, testing is the only way to find out if they have the virus so they can avoid being out and about and potentially spreading disease.Demand for test kits soared as the holidays neared and people grew eager to test themselves and their families before traveling and as the easily transmissible omicron variant spread rapidly in just a few weeks to become dominant strain in the U.S.Biden’s promise of 500 million test kits is in addition to the administration’s earlier pledge to send 50 million rapid tests to community health centers across the country.HOW MUCH WILL THE PROGRAM COST?The purchase will be paid for with money from the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill Biden signed into law in March, the White House said. The exact cost will be known soon.IS THERE ANOTHER WAY TO GET A TEST KIT FOR FREEStarting Jan. 15, private insurers will be required to cover the cost of at-home testing, the same way they cover the cost of PCR lab tests. People will have the option of buying tests at a store or online, then seeking reimbursement from their health insurance provider. Those with public health insurance through Medicare or Medicaid, or without insurance, will be directed to the forthcoming website to order tests or to community health centers in their area offering free testing.WILL THE GOVERNMENT PROGRAM MAKE IT HARDER FOR ME TO FIND A TEST AT THE DRUGSTORE?White House officials say the government tests are coming from new manufacturing capacity and should not interfere with existing supplies that drugstores, health clinics and state governments are relying on.“These are additional tests,” Zients said, made possible by the fact that the FDA has authorized many new ones in the last few months. “So, there’s a lot more capacity for rapid tests.”

Where are the COVID-19 tests that President Biden promised?

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is flush with cash, making Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican lawmakers eager to cut taxes, but the annual legislative session set to open Monday is also shadowed by redistricting, election-year politics and COVID-19.

GOP supermajorities in both chambers mean lawmakers expect to consider tightening election laws during their 90 scheduled days in session. Also on tap is a debate over what’s taught in public schools about race and U.S. history.

And legislators are likely to debate legalizing marijuana for medical use — something Kelly and other Democrats support — because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-health-medical-marijuana-marijuana-7f059c07fd72dbec30180f0f50f6dc74">some Republicans have warmed</a>&nbsp;to the idea of at least allowing a highly regulated version.

Kelly wants&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-kansas-topeka-derek-schmidt-fe33c829200bb2c9345ee37534cf2b07">to eliminate the state’s 6.5% sales tax on groceries</a>&nbsp;so that a family buying $200 worth of groceries a week would save $676 a year. Lowering or ending the tax has bipartisan support, but lawmakers might consider alternatives, such as lowering the tax on all consumer goods.

The governor also has proposed giving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-personal-taxes-kansas-topeka-state-taxes-9c8e53d13a10b9bdd113db8a64be5d52">a one-time $250 rebate</a>&nbsp;to Kansas residents who filed state income tax returns last year. GOP leaders have said they prefer ongoing income tax cuts.

Senate tax committee Chair Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican, said other ideas are on the table, too, including lowering taxes on retirees’ Social Security benefits.

Kansas is in strong shape financially, on pace after months of surplus tax collections to end June with about $3 billion in cash reserves.

Tyson wants to require teachers to post lesson plans online that list reading materials. She said her goal is to enable parents to research those materials so they have a chance to voice any objections.

She and other Republicans also expect a debate on banning critical race theory in public schools. They say many parents became alarmed when they monitored online classes earlier in the pandemic.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-critical-race-theory-08f5d0a0489c7d6eab7d9a238365d2c1">Critical race theory</a>&nbsp;argues that racism is systemic in the U.S. and its institutions maintain white people’s dominance. However, the term has come to cover broader diversity initiatives that conservatives oppose.

The state school board said last year that critical race theory is not part of Kansas’ academic standards. Kelly has called the issue a “nothing burger” and told The Associated Press it has been “conjured up” by people “who have a track record of being sort of anti-public education.”

Rabbi Moti Rieber, executive director of Kansas Interfaith Action, said he worries that lawmakers would enable “the most racist parents” to harass teachers and administrators.

GOVERNOR’S RACE, OTHER CONTESTS SHAPE POLICY

Kelly sells herself as a bipartisan problem solver and she’s almost certain to tout big legislative victories in appealing later this year to the moderate GOP and independent voters she needs to win another term. She faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-bob-dole-joe-biden-health-kansas-81c2305849fc6d9e1097ed4a20466f9e">a tough race</a>&nbsp;with three-term Attorney General Derek Schmidt as the presumed Republican nominee.

The election gives Republicans an incentive to ditch Kelly’s proposals and pass GOP ones instead to raise questions about her effectiveness.

Meanwhile, all 125 Kansas House seats are on the ballot in November.

CAN LAWMAKERS AVOID ANOTHER REDISTRICTING IMPASSE?

Election-year politics are intensified by the once-a-decade redrawing of the state’s political boundaries. Kansas must account for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/census-2020-kansas-17f2a5e8643e76f33c0a8af22b78c10a">shifts in population</a>&nbsp;and make districts as equal in population as possible.

Redistricting has national implications as Republicans seek to regain a U.S. House majority, putting a spotlight on the Kansas City-area district held by the only Kansas Democrat in Congress, Rep. Sharice Davids. Her district is overpopulated and Democrats fear that Republicans will draw out Democratic neighborhoods in Kansas City, Kansas, to hurt her politically.

But to reshape Davids’ district, Republicans must avoid the internal struggle they saw 10 years ago over new legislative districts. The debate grew so contentious that no redistricting plan cleared the Legislature. Three federal judges drew all boundaries; the state had to push back its June candidate filing deadline, and there were far more incumbent-on-incumbent races than lawmakers would have allowed.

REPUBLICANS CONSIDER TIGHTER ELECTION LAWS

GOP lawmakers in Kansas last year joined counterparts in other states in tightening election laws.

Republican Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab said he’ll push for legislation this year aimed at making it easier to remove inactive voters from registration lists. Counties can’t remove people from registration lists until they’ve failed to vote in two federal elections.

And legislation to tighten voting laws have carried over from last year’s annual session, including a bill to shorten the deadline for returning mail-in ballots.

GOP CONTINUES PUSH OVER VACCINES, VIRUS MANDATES

The days leading up to the session’s opening saw a surge in new COVID-19 cases in Kansas and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-infectious-diseases-kansas-city-989fb124d926e2253ffca07ad499bd70">hospitals stressed again.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615497611380.png" alt="Governor Laura Kelly&nbsp; has proposed giving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-personal-taxes-kansas-topeka-state-taxes-9c8e53d13a10b9bdd113db8a64be5d52">a one-time $250 rebate</a>&nbsp;to Kansas residents who filed state income tax returns last year. GOP leaders have said they prefer ongoing income tax cuts." />
 <figcaption>Governor Laura Kelly&nbsp; has proposed giving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-personal-taxes-kansas-topeka-state-taxes-9c8e53d13a10b9bdd113db8a64be5d52">a one-time $250 rebate</a>&nbsp;to Kansas residents who filed state income tax returns last year. GOP leaders have said they prefer ongoing income tax cuts.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is flush with cash, making Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican lawmakers eager to cut taxes, but the annual legislative session set to open Monday is also shadowed by redistricting, election-year politics and COVID-19.GOP supermajorities in both chambers mean lawmakers expect to consider tightening election laws during their 90 scheduled days in session. Also on tap is a debate over what’s taught in public schools about race and U.S. history.And legislators are likely to debate legalizing marijuana for medical use — something Kelly and other Democrats support — because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-health-medical-marijuana-marijuana-7f059c07fd72dbec30180f0f50f6dc74">some Republicans have warmed</a>&nbsp;to the idea of at least allowing a highly regulated version.Here’s a look at some key issues:REVENUE SURPLUS FUELS PUSH FOR TAX CUTSKelly wants&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-kansas-topeka-derek-schmidt-fe33c829200bb2c9345ee37534cf2b07">to eliminate the state’s 6.5% sales tax on groceries</a>&nbsp;so that a family buying $200 worth of groceries a week would save $676 a year. Lowering or ending the tax has bipartisan support, but lawmakers might consider alternatives, such as lowering the tax on all consumer goods.The governor also has proposed giving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-personal-taxes-kansas-topeka-state-taxes-9c8e53d13a10b9bdd113db8a64be5d52">a one-time $250 rebate</a>&nbsp;to Kansas residents who filed state income tax returns last year. GOP leaders have said they prefer ongoing income tax cuts.Senate tax committee Chair Caryn Tyson, a Parker Republican, said other ideas are on the table, too, including lowering taxes on retirees’ Social Security benefits.Kansas is in strong shape financially, on pace after months of surplus tax collections to end June with about $3 billion in cash reserves.CRITICAL RACE THEORY ARGUMENT HEATS UPTyson wants to require teachers to post lesson plans online that list reading materials. She said her goal is to enable parents to research those materials so they have a chance to voice any objections.She and other Republicans also expect a debate on banning critical race theory in public schools. They say many parents became alarmed when they monitored online classes earlier in the pandemic.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-critical-race-theory-08f5d0a0489c7d6eab7d9a238365d2c1">Critical race theory</a>&nbsp;argues that racism is systemic in the U.S. and its institutions maintain white people’s dominance. However, the term has come to cover broader diversity initiatives that conservatives oppose.The state school board said last year that critical race theory is not part of Kansas’ academic standards. Kelly has called the issue a “nothing burger” and told The Associated Press it has been “conjured up” by people “who have a track record of being sort of anti-public education.”Rabbi Moti Rieber, executive director of Kansas Interfaith Action, said he worries that lawmakers would enable “the most racist parents” to harass teachers and administrators.GOVERNOR’S RACE, OTHER CONTESTS SHAPE POLICYKelly sells herself as a bipartisan problem solver and she’s almost certain to tout big legislative victories in appealing later this year to the moderate GOP and independent voters she needs to win another term. She faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-bob-dole-joe-biden-health-kansas-81c2305849fc6d9e1097ed4a20466f9e">a tough race</a>&nbsp;with three-term Attorney General Derek Schmidt as the presumed Republican nominee.The election gives Republicans an incentive to ditch Kelly’s proposals and pass GOP ones instead to raise questions about her effectiveness.Meanwhile, all 125 Kansas House seats are on the ballot in November.CAN LAWMAKERS AVOID ANOTHER REDISTRICTING IMPASSE?Election-year politics are intensified by the once-a-decade redrawing of the state’s political boundaries. Kansas must account for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/census-2020-kansas-17f2a5e8643e76f33c0a8af22b78c10a">shifts in population</a>&nbsp;and make districts as equal in population as possible.Redistricting has national implications as Republicans seek to regain a U.S. House majority, putting a spotlight on the Kansas City-area district held by the only Kansas Democrat in Congress, Rep. Sharice Davids. Her district is overpopulated and Democrats fear that Republicans will draw out Democratic neighborhoods in Kansas City, Kansas, to hurt her politically.But to reshape Davids’ district, Republicans must avoid the internal struggle they saw 10 years ago over new legislative districts. The debate grew so contentious that no redistricting plan cleared the Legislature. Three federal judges drew all boundaries; the state had to push back its June candidate filing deadline, and there were far more incumbent-on-incumbent races than lawmakers would have allowed.REPUBLICANS CONSIDER TIGHTER ELECTION LAWSGOP lawmakers in Kansas last year joined counterparts in other states in tightening election laws.Republican Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab said he’ll push for legislation this year aimed at making it easier to remove inactive voters from registration lists. Counties can’t remove people from registration lists until they’ve failed to vote in two federal elections.And legislation to tighten voting laws have carried over from last year’s annual session, including a bill to shorten the deadline for returning mail-in ballots.GOP CONTINUES PUSH OVER VACCINES, VIRUS MANDATESThe days leading up to the session’s opening saw a surge in new COVID-19 cases in Kansas and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-infectious-diseases-kansas-city-989fb124d926e2253ffca07ad499bd70">hospitals stressed again.</a>Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-kansas-topeka-b1f211f1561aa92265a5acd42a645fcc">declared a new emergency&nbsp;</a>Thursday and issued executive orders that eased state licensing rules to make it easier for hospitals and nursing homes to add staff quickly. Lawmakers must decide whether to keep it in effect past 15 days.But for GOP lawmakers the biggest pandemic issue was following up on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-religion-822d31ed5cd6cdca053f21f4a9a965d9">legislation enacted during a November special session</a>&nbsp;to make it easier for workers to refuse to comply with vaccine mandates. Some conservatives want to bar private employers from imposing mandates, but others acknowledge the issue is tough because they’ve normally argued for less government regulation of businesses.Some conservatives would also like to strip the state health department of its power to require new vaccines for school attendance without going through the Legislature.ABORTION IS ON MANY MINDSAbortion is usually a major issue facing lawmakers, but not this year. Abortion opponents are waiting for an Aug. 2 statewide vote on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-legislature-constitutions-kansas-topeka-2b65563a5637dda6d6707822154dece5">proposed anti-abortion amendment</a>&nbsp;to the state constitution that would allow legislators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3f479b218a6140719e1694fcfcdb8036">to restrict abortion</a>&nbsp;as much as the federal courts permit.____