SEWARD COUNTY—A 5-year-old Kansas boy died in an accident Wednesday in Liberal.

Just before 8a.m., emergency crews responded to reported of an accident involving a juvenile near Prairie View Elementary in the 600 Block of Warren in Liberal, according to a media release from police.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 GMC Sierra driven by Lizeth Michelle&nbsp;Hernandez-Ibarra, 25, Liberal,&nbsp;was northbound on Warren Street and made a left turn onto Hickory Avenue.&nbsp; The pickup struck 5-year-old Nathaniel Garro&nbsp;Rivera of Liberal in the cross walk.

EMS transported the boy to Southwest Kansas Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Authorities released no additional details Wednesday afternoon.

SEWARD COUNTY—A 5-year-old Kansas boy died in an accident Wednesday in Liberal.Just before 8a.m., emergency crews responded to reported of an accident involving a juvenile near Prairie View Elementary in the 600 Block of Warren in Liberal, according to a media release from police.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 GMC Sierra driven by Lizeth Michelle&nbsp;Hernandez-Ibarra, 25, Liberal,&nbsp;was northbound on Warren Street and made a left turn onto Hickory Avenue.&nbsp; The pickup struck 5-year-old Nathaniel Garro&nbsp;Rivera of Liberal in the cross walk.EMS transported the boy to Southwest Kansas Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Authorities released no additional details Wednesday afternoon.

5-year-old SW Kan. boy dies after struck by pickup near school

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 3,096 to a total of 452,909, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 20 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6,634.

<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 3,096 to a total of 452,909, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 20 additional COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6,634.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637172630234.png" alt="Wednesday November 17, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday November 17, 2021 KDHE image</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: 3,096 new cases, 20 more COVID deaths

PAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating three Kansas women on drug distribution charges.

On Tuesday, Jeanna Merie Rader, 39 Larned, appeared in custody in the Pawnee County District Court and was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Felony Drug Paraphernalia suitable to distribute a controlled substance,&nbsp; Misdemeanor Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance, and&nbsp; Driving While Suspended, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

The charges stem from a traffic stop by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department on November 10, 2021 and the subsequent execution of search warrant at Rader’s residence.

A Preliminary Hearing has been scheduled for December 15, 2021. Rader is being held in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff on a $90,000 bond.

On November 12, 2021, Misty and Kristy Perez, both 44 of Larned, appeared in custody in the Pawnee County District Court.

Misty Perez is charged with&nbsp; Conspiracy to Distribute a Stimulant Drug, Unlawful Use of a Telecommunication Device to distribute a controlled substance, Possession of Methamphetamine,&nbsp; Possession of Marijuana, and Misdemeanor Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance. She remains in the custody of the Pawnee County Sherif on a $50,000&nbsp; bond, according to McNett.

Kristy Perez is charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, and&nbsp; Misdemeanor Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance. She was released on a supervised bond.

The Perez charges stem from an ongoing investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department and the execution of search warrant at Perez’s residence on November 8.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637110575241.png" alt="Rader-photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Rader-photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating three Kansas women on drug distribution charges.On Tuesday, Jeanna Merie Rader, 39 Larned, appeared in custody in the Pawnee County District Court and was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Felony Drug Paraphernalia suitable to distribute a controlled substance,&nbsp; Misdemeanor Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance, and&nbsp; Driving While Suspended, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.The charges stem from a traffic stop by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department on November 10, 2021 and the subsequent execution of search warrant at Rader’s residence.A Preliminary Hearing has been scheduled for December 15, 2021. Rader is being held in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff on a $90,000 bond.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637110622009.png" alt="Misty Perez-photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Misty Perez-photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>On November 12, 2021, Misty and Kristy Perez, both 44 of Larned, appeared in custody in the Pawnee County District Court.Misty Perez is charged with&nbsp; Conspiracy to Distribute a Stimulant Drug, Unlawful Use of a Telecommunication Device to distribute a controlled substance, Possession of Methamphetamine,&nbsp; Possession of Marijuana, and Misdemeanor Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance. She remains in the custody of the Pawnee County Sherif on a $50,000&nbsp; bond, according to McNett.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637110675457.png" alt="Perez-photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Perez-photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kristy Perez is charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, and&nbsp; Misdemeanor Drug Paraphernalia suitable to ingest a controlled substance. She was released on a supervised bond.The Perez charges stem from an ongoing investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department and the execution of search warrant at Perez’s residence on November 8.

3 SW Kansas women charged with drug distribution 

TOPEKA&nbsp;– On Wednesday Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced all fully vaccinated Kansans over the age of 18 are now eligible for COVID-19 booster shots.

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

“The COVID-19 vaccine is free, safe, effective, and the best way to keep our communities protected from this virus,”&nbsp;said Governor Laura Kelly. “Expanding access to booster shots will help us put an end to this deadly pandemic. Whether you are considering your first shot or signing up for a booster, I urge everyone to get the facts and get vaccinated.”

All Kansans who meet the below criteria are now eligible and encouraged to receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine:

“As we move into the winter months, Kansans will increasingly be indoors, putting themselves at greater risk of contracting the virus,”&nbsp;said Secretary Lee Norman, M.D., Kansas Department of Health and Environment.&nbsp;“Allowing Kansans to self-determine their risk of exposure to COVID-19 ensures that every tool is available to protect themselves and reduce the possibility of a winter COVID-19 surge.”

Available data right now show that all three of the&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.RrkAXw4ABRUBUNyhR2rmLHg8hvADpcyQex1KnOkqnuE%2Fs%2F1827122333%2Fbr%2F114450830309-l&amp;data=04%7C01%7CReeves.Oyster%40ks.gov%7Ca43249f8b88445ec2c2e08d9a931baff%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637726853321930361%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=wolJtCztmeQjSWkQ4GJQklR1gDbEJbE0KKNAYglvS8o%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">COVID-19 vaccines approved or authorized in the United States</a>&nbsp;continue to be&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.BawDTyMuYcOtJr_yrql19LTzEOi3EQavicttlorMDjw%2Fs%2F1827122333%2Fbr%2F114450830309-l&amp;data=04%7C01%7CReeves.Oyster%40ks.gov%7Ca43249f8b88445ec2c2e08d9a931baff%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637726853321930361%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=AzQTDvAo4lvulrnhpPskKrHdsNNyaSpNZy4oo9N60WI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">highly effective</a>&nbsp;in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even against the&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.CSo7J6ScuSUU9mnblLeHdqTqzvbo_gYj28oNTyXVqdI%2Fs%2F1827122333%2Fbr%2F114450830309-l&amp;data=04%7C01%7CReeves.Oyster%40ks.gov%7Ca43249f8b88445ec2c2e08d9a931baff%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637726853321940316%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=DuNrNswYki5Z%2BpG1QDNFn5Qh3RurRoyKsR9R5OGCxzM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Delta variant</a>. Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and reduce the spread of the virus and help prevent new variants from emerging. To find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTExMTcuNDg5OTA3ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2djYzAyLnNhZmVsaW5rcy5wcm90ZWN0aW9uLm91dGxvb2suY29tLz91cmw9aHR0cCUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy52YWNjaW5lcy5nb3YlMkYmZGF0YT0wNCU3QzAxJTdDUmVldmVzLk95c3RlciU0MGtzLmdvdiU3Q2E0MzI0OWY4Yjg4NDQ1ZWMyYzJlMDhkOWE5MzFiYWZmJTdDZGNhZTgxMDFjOTJkNDgwY2JjNDNjNjc2MWNjY2NjNWElN0MwJTdDMCU3QzYzNzcyNjg1MzMyMTk1MDI2OSU3Q1Vua25vd24lN0NUV0ZwYkdac2IzZDhleUpXSWpvaU1DNHdMakF3TURBaUxDSlFJam9pVjJsdU16SWlMQ0pCVGlJNklrMWhhV3dpTENKWFZDSTZNbjAlM0QlN0MzMDAwJnNkYXRhPUh5V0FhRlRGcHE1VSUyQnRRT1FyR2NDVEtZNXVtOEhRYUtjbm5RTWJrWEY1dyUzRCZyZXNlcnZlZD0wIn0._khF6jbbL5MZ6LtJIb3LyeAjvxouXZOQHPUtn6MBNR0/s/1303160919/br/121153708601-l" target="_blank">Vaccines.gov</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609526323922.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;– On Wednesday Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced all fully vaccinated Kansans over the age of 18 are now eligible for COVID-19 booster shots.<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for KDHE</a>&nbsp;information&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.“The COVID-19 vaccine is free, safe, effective, and the best way to keep our communities protected from this virus,”&nbsp;said Governor Laura Kelly. “Expanding access to booster shots will help us put an end to this deadly pandemic. Whether you are considering your first shot or signing up for a booster, I urge everyone to get the facts and get vaccinated.”All Kansans who meet the below criteria are now eligible and encouraged to receive a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine:<ul>
 <li>The patient is at least 18 years old&nbsp;and&nbsp;has met the 6-month time period following the primary vaccination series for the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or it has been at least 2 months since their Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine.</li><li>The patient’s assessment of risk exposure may include, but is not limited to, those who work with the public or live with someone who works with the public, live or work with someone at high risk of severe impact of COVID, live in geographic areas that have been heavily impacted by COVID, reside in&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.Yv-HmT5Jp_OpuJxfE4kaBifBi6YCqw5_KrC52mEfEIY/s/1303160919/br/121153708601-l" target="_blank">high transmission areas</a>, live in congregate setting, experience social inequity or other risk conditions as assessed by the individual. Currently, there is a high risk of community transmission in all Kansas counties.&nbsp;Vaccine providers should allow patients to self-determine their risk of exposure.</li>
 </ul>“As we move into the winter months, Kansans will increasingly be indoors, putting themselves at greater risk of contracting the virus,”&nbsp;said Secretary Lee Norman, M.D., Kansas Department of Health and Environment.&nbsp;“Allowing Kansans to self-determine their risk of exposure to COVID-19 ensures that every tool is available to protect themselves and reduce the possibility of a winter COVID-19 surge.”Available data right now show that all three of the&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.RrkAXw4ABRUBUNyhR2rmLHg8hvADpcyQex1KnOkqnuE%2Fs%2F1827122333%2Fbr%2F114450830309-l&amp;data=04%7C01%7CReeves.Oyster%40ks.gov%7Ca43249f8b88445ec2c2e08d9a931baff%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637726853321930361%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=wolJtCztmeQjSWkQ4GJQklR1gDbEJbE0KKNAYglvS8o%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">COVID-19 vaccines approved or authorized in the United States</a>&nbsp;continue to be&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.BawDTyMuYcOtJr_yrql19LTzEOi3EQavicttlorMDjw%2Fs%2F1827122333%2Fbr%2F114450830309-l&amp;data=04%7C01%7CReeves.Oyster%40ks.gov%7Ca43249f8b88445ec2c2e08d9a931baff%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637726853321930361%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=AzQTDvAo4lvulrnhpPskKrHdsNNyaSpNZy4oo9N60WI%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">highly effective</a>&nbsp;in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even against the&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.CSo7J6ScuSUU9mnblLeHdqTqzvbo_gYj28oNTyXVqdI%2Fs%2F1827122333%2Fbr%2F114450830309-l&amp;data=04%7C01%7CReeves.Oyster%40ks.gov%7Ca43249f8b88445ec2c2e08d9a931baff%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637726853321940316%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=DuNrNswYki5Z%2BpG1QDNFn5Qh3RurRoyKsR9R5OGCxzM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">Delta variant</a>. Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and reduce the spread of the virus and help prevent new variants from emerging. To find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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._khF6jbbL5MZ6LtJIb3LyeAjvxouXZOQHPUtn6MBNR0/s/1303160919/br/121153708601-l" target="_blank">Vaccines.gov</a>.

KDHE: COVID-19 booster shots now available to all adults

By KEN CARPENTER <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>

The story of 
Elgie Unruh, a man who lived his entire life in Pawnee Rock, is 
chronicled in a new book by his daughter, writer and columnist Cheryl 
Unruh. The book entitled Gravedigger's Daughter is composed of 
short vignettes that capture some of the flavor of Elgie's 85 years in 
the small Barton County town. Cheryl said her father had a weird and 
wonderful personality.&nbsp;

"I always wanted to write a book about my 
dad,” Cheryl noted. “He was an interesting person. He had a lot of jobs 
around town. I guess&nbsp;the&nbsp;most interesting job was his work in the 
cemetery. He dug graves by hand for maybe about 20 years.&nbsp;He was a 
school bus driver. He was a carpenter in town. He was a substitute rural
 mail carrier.&nbsp;So&nbsp;he had a lot of things going on, and I tagged along 
with him when I was a kid.”&nbsp;

Cheryl&nbsp;grew up in Pawnee Rock in the 1960s and 70's when the 
population was about 400 people. She has happy memories of that time.&nbsp;

"When
 you’re a little kid and you’re surrounded by friends and family&nbsp;in&nbsp;the 
community&nbsp;that’s generally caring about you,&nbsp;it’s a great place,” Cheryl
 remembered. “When we still had the high school which was closed in 
1972,&nbsp;there was a lot, maybe not a lot going on, but there was stuff 
going on with the school.&nbsp;It was a good community for a kid to grow up 
in.”&nbsp;

A copy of Gravedigger's Daughter can be purchased directly from Meadowlark Press. You can order the book by clicking <a href="https://meadowlark-books.square.site/">HERE</a>. It is also available for purchase at the Barton County Historical Society.&nbsp;

Cheryl
 attended Barton Community College for one year before transferring to 
the University of Kansas. Currently a resident of Emporia, she was a 
columnist for the Emporia Gazette for 11 years. She has written two 
other essay books, Flyover People and Waiting on the Sky that can be purchased at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637166300624.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KEN CARPENTER <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>The story of 
Elgie Unruh, a man who lived his entire life in Pawnee Rock, is 
chronicled in a new book by his daughter, writer and columnist Cheryl 
Unruh. The book entitled Gravedigger's Daughter is composed of 
short vignettes that capture some of the flavor of Elgie's 85 years in 
the small Barton County town. Cheryl said her father had a weird and 
wonderful personality.&nbsp;"I always wanted to write a book about my 
dad,” Cheryl noted. “He was an interesting person. He had a lot of jobs 
around town. I guess&nbsp;the&nbsp;most interesting job was his work in the 
cemetery. He dug graves by hand for maybe about 20 years.&nbsp;He was a 
school bus driver. He was a carpenter in town. He was a substitute rural
 mail carrier.&nbsp;So&nbsp;he had a lot of things going on, and I tagged along 
with him when I was a kid.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637166338292.jpeg" alt="Author Cheryl Unruh" />
 <figcaption>Author Cheryl Unruh</figcaption>
 </figure>Cheryl&nbsp;grew up in Pawnee Rock in the 1960s and 70's when the 
population was about 400 people. She has happy memories of that time.&nbsp;"When
 you’re a little kid and you’re surrounded by friends and family&nbsp;in&nbsp;the 
community&nbsp;that’s generally caring about you,&nbsp;it’s a great place,” Cheryl
 remembered. “When we still had the high school which was closed in 
1972,&nbsp;there was a lot, maybe not a lot going on, but there was stuff 
going on with the school.&nbsp;It was a good community for a kid to grow up 
in.”&nbsp;A copy of Gravedigger's Daughter can be purchased directly from Meadowlark Press. You can order the book by clicking <a href="https://meadowlark-books.square.site/">HERE</a>. It is also available for purchase at the Barton County Historical Society.&nbsp;Cheryl
 attended Barton Community College for one year before transferring to 
the University of Kansas. Currently a resident of Emporia, she was a 
columnist for the Emporia Gazette for 11 years. She has written two 
other essay books, Flyover People and Waiting on the Sky that can be purchased at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center.&nbsp;

Pawnee Rock native writes book about her father 

BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a multi-state crime spree that included a stop in Great Bend have made an arrest.

Just before 3a.m. Oct. 14, police discovered broken glass from the front door of as Mind Sculpt Games, 4908 10th Street in Great Bend, according to a media release.

The investigation yielded several security videos which showed that on Oct. 13, at 11:33 p.m., a man broke the glass front door and entered the store. The suspect also broke several glass cases inside of the store and removed items from the cases and shelves. He entered and exited the store several times with merchandise before finally leaving the area at approximately 12:22 a.m, according to police.

The owners of Mind Sculpt Games had been in contact with other business owners since this incident occurred and investigators later learned that similar stores, not only in Kansas, but also throughout Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma and Texas had been victims of similar incidents. Through further investigation, the additional cases also yielded information that connected the suspect to these surrounding incidents between&nbsp; Sept. 21 and Oct. 14.&nbsp;

With assistance from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Tulsa, Oklahoma PD, and the Van Alstyen, Texas PD, the suspect was identified as Nicholas Garrison, age 23.&nbsp; It was determined that he was driving a Chevy Cruze.

This information led to Garrison being stopped in the red Chevy Cruze in Bedford, TX and placed under arrest for the multi-jurisdictional crime spree. Upon further investigation, numerous stolen property items of sports trading cards, rare merchandise and gaming items were located and recovered as evidence. All stolen property items were connected back to the multi-state investigation, with the total loss in damages and property stolen exceeding $200,000 combined among all of the stores involved.

The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with any information in reference to this case is urged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120 or Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637160664427.png" alt="Garrison was held in Tarrant County, Texas and is being extradited to Illinois, according to online jail records." />
 <figcaption>Garrison was held in Tarrant County, Texas and is being extradited to Illinois, according to online jail records.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a multi-state crime spree that included a stop in Great Bend have made an arrest.Just before 3a.m. Oct. 14, police discovered broken glass from the front door of as Mind Sculpt Games, 4908 10th Street in Great Bend, according to a media release.The investigation yielded several security videos which showed that on Oct. 13, at 11:33 p.m., a man broke the glass front door and entered the store. The suspect also broke several glass cases inside of the store and removed items from the cases and shelves. He entered and exited the store several times with merchandise before finally leaving the area at approximately 12:22 a.m, according to police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634217259761.jpeg" alt="Security camera image from Mind Sculpt in Great Bend" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image from Mind Sculpt in Great Bend</figcaption>
 </figure>The owners of Mind Sculpt Games had been in contact with other business owners since this incident occurred and investigators later learned that similar stores, not only in Kansas, but also throughout Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma and Texas had been victims of similar incidents. Through further investigation, the additional cases also yielded information that connected the suspect to these surrounding incidents between&nbsp; Sept. 21 and Oct. 14.&nbsp;With assistance from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the Tulsa, Oklahoma PD, and the Van Alstyen, Texas PD, the suspect was identified as Nicholas Garrison, age 23.&nbsp; It was determined that he was driving a Chevy Cruze.This information led to Garrison being stopped in the red Chevy Cruze in Bedford, TX and placed under arrest for the multi-jurisdictional crime spree. Upon further investigation, numerous stolen property items of sports trading cards, rare merchandise and gaming items were located and recovered as evidence. All stolen property items were connected back to the multi-state investigation, with the total loss in damages and property stolen exceeding $200,000 combined among all of the stores involved.The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with any information in reference to this case is urged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120 or Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300.

Suspect in 5-state crime spree including Kansas arrested in Texas

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge has blocked the U.S. Treasury from enforcing a provision of the American Rescue Plan Act that prohibited states from using the pandemic relief funds to offset new tax cuts.

U.S. District Judge L. Scott Coogler ruled Monday in Alabama that Congress exceeded its power in putting the so-called tax mandate on states. He entered a final judgement in favor of 13 states that had filed a lawsuit and instructed the Treasury Department not to enforce the provision. The judge left the rest of the law in place.

The American Rescue Plan steered $195 billion in flexible relief funds to states but specified that states could not use it as a means to cut taxes by using the federal relief dollars to offset the revenue reduction.

The judge described the tax-cut restrictions as “a federal invasion of State sovereignty” that was “unconstitutionally ambiguous” — leaving states guessing as to whether their tax cuts would trigger a repayment of federal funds.

“The Tax Mandate’s restriction on direct or indirect state tax cuts pressures States into adopting a particular — and federally preferred — tax policy,” Coogler wrote. That “may disincentive” states “from considering any tax reductions for fear of forfeiting ARPA funds,”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-alabama-us-news-courts-a680c1ebdda96708a13aed98b55386dc">The lawsuit was filed</a>&nbsp;by Alabama, Arkansas, Alaska, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah and West Virginia.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshal called that tax-cut restrictions “an unprecedented and unconstitutional assault on state sovereignty by the federal government.”

Officials from other states on Tuesday also praised the ruling.

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said the decision “ensures our citizens aren’t stuck with an unforeseen bill from the feds years from now.”

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said it “clears the way” for the state to pursue a sales tax cut on groceries “without fear of federal reprisal.”

Justice Department lawyers representing the Treasury Department argued the money should be used for its intended purpose — pandemic recovery.

“Congress did not provide Rescue Plan funds for States to replace purposeful decreases in net tax revenue; it provided the money to help States economically recover from the pandemic in ways they otherwise could not,” federal lawyers wrote in an August court filing.

Federal government lawyers added, “states are free to cut all the taxes they want, as long as they do not use the federal aid to ‘offset’ any decreased revenue.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1627053425831.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A federal judge has blocked the U.S. Treasury from enforcing a provision of the American Rescue Plan Act that prohibited states from using the pandemic relief funds to offset new tax cuts.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WE WON! Last night a federal court agreed with KS and held unconstitutional the Biden administration&#39;s attempt to block states from reducing our own state-level taxes just because the state accepted federal COVID relief money! <a href="https://t.co/4AMhLkk3QW">https://t.co/4AMhLkk3QW</a>&mdash; Derek Schmidt (@DerekSchmidtKS) <a href="https://twitter.com/DerekSchmidtKS/status/1460736031637098502?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>U.S. District Judge L. Scott Coogler ruled Monday in Alabama that Congress exceeded its power in putting the so-called tax mandate on states. He entered a final judgement in favor of 13 states that had filed a lawsuit and instructed the Treasury Department not to enforce the provision. The judge left the rest of the law in place.The American Rescue Plan steered $195 billion in flexible relief funds to states but specified that states could not use it as a means to cut taxes by using the federal relief dollars to offset the revenue reduction.The judge described the tax-cut restrictions as “a federal invasion of State sovereignty” that was “unconstitutionally ambiguous” — leaving states guessing as to whether their tax cuts would trigger a repayment of federal funds.“The Tax Mandate’s restriction on direct or indirect state tax cuts pressures States into adopting a particular — and federally preferred — tax policy,” Coogler wrote. That “may disincentive” states “from considering any tax reductions for fear of forfeiting ARPA funds,”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-alabama-us-news-courts-a680c1ebdda96708a13aed98b55386dc">The lawsuit was filed</a>&nbsp;by Alabama, Arkansas, Alaska, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah and West Virginia.Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshal called that tax-cut restrictions “an unprecedented and unconstitutional assault on state sovereignty by the federal government.”Officials from other states on Tuesday also praised the ruling.West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said the decision “ensures our citizens aren’t stuck with an unforeseen bill from the feds years from now.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631615956936.png" alt="Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said it “clears the way” for the state to pursue a sales tax cut on groceries “without fear of federal reprisal.”Justice Department lawyers representing the Treasury Department argued the money should be used for its intended purpose — pandemic recovery.“Congress did not provide Rescue Plan funds for States to replace purposeful decreases in net tax revenue; it provided the money to help States economically recover from the pandemic in ways they otherwise could not,” federal lawyers wrote in an August court filing.Federal government lawyers added, “states are free to cut all the taxes they want, as long as they do not use the federal aid to ‘offset’ any decreased revenue.”___

Federal judge agrees with Kan., blocks tax cut rule in American Rescue Plan 

Proper thawing, prep important in making turkey

By EMILY HALSTEAD K-State Research and Extension&nbsp;

MANHATTAN — The holiday season can be a great time for family and friends to gather, and Kansas State University food scientist Karen Blakeslee said following proper food safety steps will keep uninvited guests – like foodborne bacteria – from joining the party.&nbsp;

“The basics of cook, chill, clean and separate should guide your meal preparation, serving and clean up,”&nbsp;said Blakeslee, who is also coordinator of K-State’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rrc.k-state.edu/">Rapid Response Center</a>.&nbsp;

Poultry and other meat should not be rinsed before cooking, Blakeslee said. All meat should be cooked to the proper internal temperatures, which include:&nbsp;

“Use a food thermometer to verify doneness, not color,” Blakeslee said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Thawing the turkey is an important component to add into preparation time. “If buying a frozen turkey, purchase it at least one week beforehand to allow enough time for thawing in the refrigerator,” Blakeslee said. “This will depend on the size of turkey you need for your meal.”&nbsp;

Allow about 24 hours to thaw 5 pounds of frozen turkey, but always add an extra day to be sure it gets thawed safely. For a 12 pound turkey, plan on at least three days in the refrigerator.&nbsp;

“Never thaw frozen meat or poultry at room temperature because this can allow any bacteria to grow as it warms up,” Blakeslee said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Turkey can be cooked from the frozen state, but it will take at least 50% longer to cook.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“If hosting holiday meals, ask others to bring side dishes such as salads or vegetable platters to make the meal easier to handle,” Blakeslee said. “Many hands make light work. Just be sure to wash your hands.”&nbsp;

Blakeslee publishes a monthly newsletter called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rrc.k-state.edu/newsletter">You Asked It!</a>&nbsp;that provides numerous tips on being safe and healthy. More information is also available from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html">local extension offices</a>&nbsp;in Kansas.&nbsp;

<h2>Proper thawing, prep important in making turkey</h2>By EMILY HALSTEAD K-State Research and Extension&nbsp;MANHATTAN — The holiday season can be a great time for family and friends to gather, and Kansas State University food scientist Karen Blakeslee said following proper food safety steps will keep uninvited guests – like foodborne bacteria – from joining the party.&nbsp;“The basics of cook, chill, clean and separate should guide your meal preparation, serving and clean up,”&nbsp;said Blakeslee, who is also coordinator of K-State’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rrc.k-state.edu/">Rapid Response Center</a>.&nbsp;Poultry and other meat should not be rinsed before cooking, Blakeslee said. All meat should be cooked to the proper internal temperatures, which include:&nbsp; <ul>
 <li>Steaks, roasts, chops: 145 degrees Fahrenheit.&nbsp;</li><li>Ground meat: 160 F.&nbsp;</li><li>All poultry: 165 F.&nbsp;</li><li>Fish and seafood: 145 F.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>“Use a food thermometer to verify doneness, not color,” Blakeslee said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Thawing the turkey is an important component to add into preparation time. “If buying a frozen turkey, purchase it at least one week beforehand to allow enough time for thawing in the refrigerator,” Blakeslee said. “This will depend on the size of turkey you need for your meal.”&nbsp;Allow about 24 hours to thaw 5 pounds of frozen turkey, but always add an extra day to be sure it gets thawed safely. For a 12 pound turkey, plan on at least three days in the refrigerator.&nbsp;“Never thaw frozen meat or poultry at room temperature because this can allow any bacteria to grow as it warms up,” Blakeslee said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Turkey can be cooked from the frozen state, but it will take at least 50% longer to cook.&nbsp;&nbsp;More food safety reminders include: <ul>
 <li>Set oven to minimum of 325 F.&nbsp;</li><li>Wash your hands often.&nbsp;</li><li>Use a shallow roasting pan with a rack and add about ½ cup water to the bottom of the pan.&nbsp;</li><li>Place the turkey on the rack, season as you like and tent with foil.&nbsp;</li><li>Stuffing should be cooked separately as a casserole.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Foil can be removed after 1 to 1 ½ hours of roasting.&nbsp;</li><li>When using a food thermometer, check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the breast or innermost part of the thigh.&nbsp;</li><li>Refrigerate all leftovers within two hours of serving. Remove turkey meat from the bones and place in shallow containers for faster cooling.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>“If hosting holiday meals, ask others to bring side dishes such as salads or vegetable platters to make the meal easier to handle,” Blakeslee said. “Many hands make light work. Just be sure to wash your hands.”&nbsp;Blakeslee publishes a monthly newsletter called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rrc.k-state.edu/newsletter">You Asked It!</a>&nbsp;that provides numerous tips on being safe and healthy. More information is also available from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/statewide-locations.html">local extension offices</a>&nbsp;in Kansas.&nbsp;Cover image courtesy Pixabay

K-State food safety expert shares holiday meal reminders 

GEARY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal October shooting are asking the public for help with information in the case.

According to the Geary County Sheriff,&nbsp; On October 3, a man described as 6-foot-1 or taller and dressed in all black approached 22-year-old Enfinnity Hayes and her husband at the&nbsp; Milford State Park Group Shelter. The suspect&nbsp; attempted to rob the couple at gun point. 

There was a gun shot and Hayes fell to the ground. Her husband drove her to Geary Community Hospital where she died.

Anyone with any information on a suspect is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 785-238-2261, or after hours at 785-762-5912.

You can also report information on this case to&nbsp;david.gilbert@gearycountysheriff.org&nbsp;or anonymously to the Junction City Geary County Crime Stoppers at 762-TIPS or text TIPJC to 274637.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637156736481.png" alt="Enfinnity Hayes-Lawson-courtesy Joe Morris and Sons funeral home" />
 <figcaption>Enfinnity Hayes-Lawson-courtesy Joe Morris and Sons funeral home</figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal October shooting are asking the public for help with information in the case.According to the Geary County Sheriff,&nbsp; On October 3, a man described as 6-foot-1 or taller and dressed in all black approached 22-year-old Enfinnity Hayes and her husband at the&nbsp; Milford State Park Group Shelter. The suspect&nbsp; attempted to rob the couple at gun point. There was a gun shot and Hayes fell to the ground. Her husband drove her to Geary Community Hospital where she died.Anyone with any information on a suspect is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 785-238-2261, or after hours at 785-762-5912.You can also report information on this case to&nbsp;david.gilbert@gearycountysheriff.org&nbsp;or anonymously to the Junction City Geary County Crime Stoppers at 762-TIPS or text TIPJC to 274637.

Sheriff investigates robbery, fatal shooting of Kan. woman

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man who threatened two Democratic U.S. congressmen was sentenced Tuesday to 2.5 years in federal prison.

Kenneth R. Hubert, 63, of Marionville, Missouri was sentenced for threatening Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II of Kansas City and Rep. Steven Cohen of Tennessee. He pleaded guilty in June to two counts of threatening to injure federal officials.

Hubert called Cleaver's office in January. He called Cleaver, who is Black, a racial slur and suggested putting a noose around his neck, federal officials said.

Hubert called Cohen's office in Washington D.C. in May 2019 and threatened to put a noose around his neck and drag him behind a pickup truck. He said he was offended by a comment Cohen made about former President Donald Trump.

Federal prosecutors have said Hubert made similar threats starting in 2014 to minorities, groups advocating for minorities and certain religious beliefs and to members of the Democratic party. His targets included former President Barack Obama, the Missouri Democratic Party and the Council of American-Islamic Relations.

Before he was arrested, Hubert ignored several directions from law enforcement agencies to stop the threats, prosecutors said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1614858198513.png" alt="Hubert is being held in the Greene Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Hubert is being held in the Greene Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man who threatened two Democratic U.S. congressmen was sentenced Tuesday to 2.5 years in federal prison.Kenneth R. Hubert, 63, of Marionville, Missouri was sentenced for threatening Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II of Kansas City and Rep. Steven Cohen of Tennessee. He pleaded guilty in June to two counts of threatening to injure federal officials.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1564430219299.png" alt="Rep. Emanuel Cleaver-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Emanuel Cleaver-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Hubert called Cleaver's office in January. He called Cleaver, who is Black, a racial slur and suggested putting a noose around his neck, federal officials said.Hubert called Cohen's office in Washington D.C. in May 2019 and threatened to put a noose around his neck and drag him behind a pickup truck. He said he was offended by a comment Cohen made about former President Donald Trump.Federal prosecutors have said Hubert made similar threats starting in 2014 to minorities, groups advocating for minorities and certain religious beliefs and to members of the Democratic party. His targets included former President Barack Obama, the Missouri Democratic Party and the Council of American-Islamic Relations.Before he was arrested, Hubert ignored several directions from law enforcement agencies to stop the threats, prosecutors said.

Man sentenced for threatening Kansas City-area congressman

The FBI’s Crimes Against Children division is asking for help to identify “John Doe 45,” an unknown man who may have critical information on the identity of an infant victim in a sexual exploitation investigation, according to the FBI office in Kansas City.

A video depicting John Doe 45 is believed to have been produced between January 2019 and April 2019, according to a<a href="https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/ecap/unknown-individual---john-doe-45" target="_blank">&nbsp;news release</a>.

The man is described as a white male with brown hair, a mustache and a beard between the age of 30 and 40. John Doe 45 could be heard speaking English in the video.

&nbsp;If you know the identity of this individual, please submit a tip at <a href="https://t.co/49eEgggFOb?amp=1" target="_blank">http://tips.fbi.gov</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637098019177.png" alt="FBI poster" />
 <figcaption>FBI poster</figcaption>
 </figure>The FBI’s Crimes Against Children division is asking for help to identify “John Doe 45,” an unknown man who may have critical information on the identity of an infant victim in a sexual exploitation investigation, according to the FBI office in Kansas City.A video depicting John Doe 45 is believed to have been produced between January 2019 and April 2019, according to a<a href="https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/ecap/unknown-individual---john-doe-45" target="_blank">&nbsp;news release</a>.The man is described as a white male with brown hair, a mustache and a beard between the age of 30 and 40. John Doe 45 could be heard speaking English in the video.&nbsp;If you know the identity of this individual, please submit a tip at <a href="https://t.co/49eEgggFOb?amp=1" target="_blank">http://tips.fbi.gov</a>

FBI asks for help to ID ‘John Doe 45′ in child sex investigation

WASHINGTON (AP) —Challenges to President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for private employers will be consolidated in the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, a panel dominated by judges appointed by Republicans.

The Cincinnati-based court was selected Tuesday in a random drawing using ping-pong balls, a process employed when challenges to certain federal agency actions are filed in multiple courts.

The selection could be good news for those challenging the administration’s vaccine requirement, which includes officials in 27 Republican-led states, employers and several conservative and business organizations. They argue the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration does not have the authority to impose the mandate.

The challenges, along with some from unions that said the vaccine mandate didn’t go far enough, were made this month in 12 circuit courts. Under an arcane system, it was up to the clerk of the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict litigation to select a ping-pong ball from a bin to choose where the cases would be heard.

It was a favorable outcome for Republicans. Eleven of the 16 full-time judges in the 6th Circuit were appointed by Republican presidents. Accounting for one of the Republican-appointed judges, Helene White, who often sides with judges appointed by Democrats and adding senior judges who are semi-retired but still hear cases, the split is 19-9 in favor of Republicans. Six of the full-time judges were appointed by former President Donald Trump.

Another court where a majority of judges were nominated by Republicans, the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, issued a ruling that put the mandate on hold.

It’s not clear whether the court that will hear the case will act as the 5th Circuit did and side quickly with the Republican challengers. But legal experts have become increasingly concerned in recent years about the politicization of both federal and state courts, raising questions about whether justice is fairly administered or dispensed through a partisan lens.

Allison Orr Larsen, a professor at William &amp; Mary Law School, coauthored a study published this year that found growing partisanship in federal judicial decisions. For decades, the study found that rulings on cases in which all judges in a circuit weighed in generally were not decided along party lines based on the presidents who appointed the judges.

“We did see a concerning spike starting in 2018 that led us to wring our hands,” Larsen said in an interview.

The increasing partisanship in a branch of government that is supposed to be blind to partisan politics was seen in judges appointed by presidents of both parties, but Larsen said it’s not clear why that was or whether it will last.

Some of the federal courts moved to the right when Donald Trump was president and Republicans controlled the U.S. Senate, which confirms judicial nominees. Trump appointed 54 judges to the circuit courts, which are one step below the U.S. Supreme Court, including filling one seat twice. That represents nearly 30% of the seats on the circuit courts, where cases are most often considered by three-judge panels.

Trump’s appointees flipped the 11th Circuit in the South to Republican control and expanded the GOP-appointed majorities in the 5th, 6th and 8th Circuits in the Midwest and South. Biden’s three appointees switched the New York-based 2nd Circuit to Democratic control.

Republican state attorneys general and conservative groups mostly filed their challenges in circuit courts dominated by conservative judges, while the unions went to circuits with more judges nominated by Democratic presidents.

In all, 34 objections have been filed in all 11 regional circuits plus the one for the District of Columbia. That’s where the ping-pong balls came in to play.

Under federal law, cases challenging federal agency actions get consolidated upon the agency’s request if they are filed in multiple circuit courts. Each circuit where a challenge is filed within the first 10 days of the agency taking action has an equal chance of being selected.

It was up to the judicial panel’s clerk, John W. Nichols, to select a ping-pong ball from a bin, according to a Tuesday court filing by the panel. The office denied a request by The Associated Press to allow media access to the drawing.

Previously this year, the lottery had been used to assign just two cases. One involved fallout from a National Labor Relations Board ruling on an anti-union Twitter message by Tesla founder Elon Musk where objectors filed in two circuits. The other was over orders from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in which objectors filed in three.

The employer vaccine mandate is higher profile and further reaching. It calls for businesses with more than 100 workers to require employees to be vaccinated by Jan. 4 or wear masks and be tested weekly for COVID-19. Exemptions are provided for religious reasons and for those who work at home or only outdoors.

Because it’s an unusual rule from the workplace safety agency, there is no consensus among lawyers on how the challenges will go. OSHA has issued just 10 emergency rules in the half century since it was formed. Of the six challenged in court, only one survived intact.

The Biden administration has insisted it’s on strong legal footing. It also has the backing of the American Medical Association, which filed papers in support of the mandate.

“The AMA’s extensive review of the medical literature demonstrates that COVID-19 vaccines authorized or approved by FDA are safe and effective, and the widespread use of those vaccines is the best way to keep COVID-19 from spreading within workplaces,” the group said in its filing.

Among those challenging the rule is a consortium of construction contractors. They say they want their workers vaccinated, but that a requirement only on larger companies is just pushing vaccine-hesitant workers to take jobs with companies that have fewer than 100 employees.

“Crafting an unworkable rule that will do little to get construction workers vaccinated is an approach that is not only wrong, but likely counterproductive,” said Scott Casabona, president of Signatory Wall and Ceiling Contractors Alliance.

Officials with the workplace safety agency say they’re considering extending the mandate to smaller employers.

A three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit extended the stay of the OSHA rule in an opinion released last Friday, expressing skepticism that the agency had authority to implement the vaccine requirement. The 6th Circuit could modify, revoke or extend the stay.

It had not yet been determined which judges from the 6th Circuit will be on a three-judge panel to hear the case or whether it will be considered by all the judges.

The U.S. Department of Justice declined to comment on the selection of the court.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637084886815.png" alt="President Biden received his COVID booster shot earlier this month-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden received his COVID booster shot earlier this month-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Challenges to President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for private employers will be consolidated in the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, a panel dominated by judges appointed by Republicans.The Cincinnati-based court was selected Tuesday in a random drawing using ping-pong balls, a process employed when challenges to certain federal agency actions are filed in multiple courts.The selection could be good news for those challenging the administration’s vaccine requirement, which includes officials in 27 Republican-led states, employers and several conservative and business organizations. They argue the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration does not have the authority to impose the mandate.The challenges, along with some from unions that said the vaccine mandate didn’t go far enough, were made this month in 12 circuit courts. Under an arcane system, it was up to the clerk of the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict litigation to select a ping-pong ball from a bin to choose where the cases would be heard.It was a favorable outcome for Republicans. Eleven of the 16 full-time judges in the 6th Circuit were appointed by Republican presidents. Accounting for one of the Republican-appointed judges, Helene White, who often sides with judges appointed by Democrats and adding senior judges who are semi-retired but still hear cases, the split is 19-9 in favor of Republicans. Six of the full-time judges were appointed by former President Donald Trump.Another court where a majority of judges were nominated by Republicans, the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, issued a ruling that put the mandate on hold.It’s not clear whether the court that will hear the case will act as the 5th Circuit did and side quickly with the Republican challengers. But legal experts have become increasingly concerned in recent years about the politicization of both federal and state courts, raising questions about whether justice is fairly administered or dispensed through a partisan lens.Allison Orr Larsen, a professor at William &amp; Mary Law School, coauthored a study published this year that found growing partisanship in federal judicial decisions. For decades, the study found that rulings on cases in which all judges in a circuit weighed in generally were not decided along party lines based on the presidents who appointed the judges.“We did see a concerning spike starting in 2018 that led us to wring our hands,” Larsen said in an interview.The increasing partisanship in a branch of government that is supposed to be blind to partisan politics was seen in judges appointed by presidents of both parties, but Larsen said it’s not clear why that was or whether it will last.Some of the federal courts moved to the right when Donald Trump was president and Republicans controlled the U.S. Senate, which confirms judicial nominees. Trump appointed 54 judges to the circuit courts, which are one step below the U.S. Supreme Court, including filling one seat twice. That represents nearly 30% of the seats on the circuit courts, where cases are most often considered by three-judge panels.Trump’s appointees flipped the 11th Circuit in the South to Republican control and expanded the GOP-appointed majorities in the 5th, 6th and 8th Circuits in the Midwest and South. Biden’s three appointees switched the New York-based 2nd Circuit to Democratic control.Republican state attorneys general and conservative groups mostly filed their challenges in circuit courts dominated by conservative judges, while the unions went to circuits with more judges nominated by Democratic presidents.In all, 34 objections have been filed in all 11 regional circuits plus the one for the District of Columbia. That’s where the ping-pong balls came in to play.Under federal law, cases challenging federal agency actions get consolidated upon the agency’s request if they are filed in multiple circuit courts. Each circuit where a challenge is filed within the first 10 days of the agency taking action has an equal chance of being selected.It was up to the judicial panel’s clerk, John W. Nichols, to select a ping-pong ball from a bin, according to a Tuesday court filing by the panel. The office denied a request by The Associated Press to allow media access to the drawing.Previously this year, the lottery had been used to assign just two cases. One involved fallout from a National Labor Relations Board ruling on an anti-union Twitter message by Tesla founder Elon Musk where objectors filed in two circuits. The other was over orders from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in which objectors filed in three.The employer vaccine mandate is higher profile and further reaching. It calls for businesses with more than 100 workers to require employees to be vaccinated by Jan. 4 or wear masks and be tested weekly for COVID-19. Exemptions are provided for religious reasons and for those who work at home or only outdoors.Because it’s an unusual rule from the workplace safety agency, there is no consensus among lawyers on how the challenges will go. OSHA has issued just 10 emergency rules in the half century since it was formed. Of the six challenged in court, only one survived intact.The Biden administration has insisted it’s on strong legal footing. It also has the backing of the American Medical Association, which filed papers in support of the mandate.“The AMA’s extensive review of the medical literature demonstrates that COVID-19 vaccines authorized or approved by FDA are safe and effective, and the widespread use of those vaccines is the best way to keep COVID-19 from spreading within workplaces,” the group said in its filing.Among those challenging the rule is a consortium of construction contractors. They say they want their workers vaccinated, but that a requirement only on larger companies is just pushing vaccine-hesitant workers to take jobs with companies that have fewer than 100 employees.“Crafting an unworkable rule that will do little to get construction workers vaccinated is an approach that is not only wrong, but likely counterproductive,” said Scott Casabona, president of Signatory Wall and Ceiling Contractors Alliance.Officials with the workplace safety agency say they’re considering extending the mandate to smaller employers.A three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit extended the stay of the OSHA rule in an opinion released last Friday, expressing skepticism that the agency had authority to implement the vaccine requirement. The 6th Circuit could modify, revoke or extend the stay.It had not yet been determined which judges from the 6th Circuit will be on a three-judge panel to hear the case or whether it will be considered by all the judges.The U.S. Department of Justice declined to comment on the selection of the court.___

GOP-majority court chosen to consider Biden vaccine mandate

HARTVILLE, Mo. (AP) — Some people might describe Hartville, Missouri, as being in the middle of nowhere, but the U.S. Census Bureau on Tuesday announced that it's the closest town to the middle of the nation.

The hamlet of about 600 people in the Missouri Ozarks is located about 15 miles (24 kilometers) from the center of the U.S. population distribution, according to the Census Bureau.

The town is the type of place where families have been farming for generations, everybody knows each other and people stay for the “small-town living,” said Sabrina Gilliland, 38, a paralegal for the local prosecutor, who lives on a family farm with her four children, cattle, pigs and chickens.

Gilliland joked that her mother is “related to half the people in the town.” The four-block center of Hartville has a diner, barbershop, gas station and hair salon.

Pastor Melvin Moon, a Hartville City Council member, is hopeful the new designation brings tourists to the area known for Civil War history, antique shops and rivers popular for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. The Census Bureau will present a plaque to the town next spring.

“We are truly the heart of America,” Moon said. “This small town represents what’s great about America still: People are neighbors, people take time for each other and they help each other.”

Bypassed by interstate highways and railroads, the town doesn't have a big tax base or large industry. The local school, a nursing home, the gas station and the Dollar General store are the largest employers. There used to be a lot of farmers in the area, but it's hard to make a living that way now, Moon said.

“So you have to want to live here," he said.

The nation's population center is calculated every 10 years after the once-a-decade census shows where people are living. The heart of America has been located in Missouri since 1980. Previously located in Plato, Missouri, in the neighboring county, it moved only 11.8 miles (19 kilometers) southwest from 2010 to 2020. It is the smallest distance shift in 100 years and the second-smallest in U.S. history.

It also was the southernmost shift in history, said Deirdre Bishop, the Census Bureau's chief of geography.

“That pull came from the growth in the southeast, in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas," Bishop said.

The center is actually still closer to Plato than Hartville, but the Census Bureau likely wanted to keep it moving “since it is so tied up in our national psyche with expansion and progress," said Alex Zakrewsky, who is principal planner for Middlesex County, New Jersey, and has predicted the location after past censuses.

“Hartville also has the additional symbolic value of its name," Zakrewsky said.

To calculate the center of the U.S., the Census Bureau figures out which spot would be “the balance point” if the 50 states were located on an imaginary, flat surface with weights of identical size — each representing the location of one person — placed on it.

Zakrewsky said he wonders if the center of the U.S. is going to move a lot farther west by 2030 since California, the nation's most populous state, is losing residents.

“I sometimes speculate that Hartville may be the centroid’s terminus," he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637147911368.png" alt="Photo courtesy U.S. Census Bureau" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy U.S. Census Bureau</figcaption>
 </figure>HARTVILLE, Mo. (AP) — Some people might describe Hartville, Missouri, as being in the middle of nowhere, but the U.S. Census Bureau on Tuesday announced that it's the closest town to the middle of the nation.The hamlet of about 600 people in the Missouri Ozarks is located about 15 miles (24 kilometers) from the center of the U.S. population distribution, according to the Census Bureau.The town is the type of place where families have been farming for generations, everybody knows each other and people stay for the “small-town living,” said Sabrina Gilliland, 38, a paralegal for the local prosecutor, who lives on a family farm with her four children, cattle, pigs and chickens.Gilliland joked that her mother is “related to half the people in the town.” The four-block center of Hartville has a diner, barbershop, gas station and hair salon.Pastor Melvin Moon, a Hartville City Council member, is hopeful the new designation brings tourists to the area known for Civil War history, antique shops and rivers popular for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. The Census Bureau will present a plaque to the town next spring.“We are truly the heart of America,” Moon said. “This small town represents what’s great about America still: People are neighbors, people take time for each other and they help each other.”Bypassed by interstate highways and railroads, the town doesn't have a big tax base or large industry. The local school, a nursing home, the gas station and the Dollar General store are the largest employers. There used to be a lot of farmers in the area, but it's hard to make a living that way now, Moon said.“So you have to want to live here," he said.The nation's population center is calculated every 10 years after the once-a-decade census shows where people are living. The heart of America has been located in Missouri since 1980. Previously located in Plato, Missouri, in the neighboring county, it moved only 11.8 miles (19 kilometers) southwest from 2010 to 2020. It is the smallest distance shift in 100 years and the second-smallest in U.S. history.It also was the southernmost shift in history, said Deirdre Bishop, the Census Bureau's chief of geography.“That pull came from the growth in the southeast, in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas," Bishop said.The center is actually still closer to Plato than Hartville, but the Census Bureau likely wanted to keep it moving “since it is so tied up in our national psyche with expansion and progress," said Alex Zakrewsky, who is principal planner for Middlesex County, New Jersey, and has predicted the location after past censuses.“Hartville also has the additional symbolic value of its name," Zakrewsky said.To calculate the center of the U.S., the Census Bureau figures out which spot would be “the balance point” if the 50 states were located on an imaginary, flat surface with weights of identical size — each representing the location of one person — placed on it.Zakrewsky said he wonders if the center of the U.S. is going to move a lot farther west by 2030 since California, the nation's most populous state, is losing residents.“I sometimes speculate that Hartville may be the centroid’s terminus," he said.

U.S. population center moves 11.8 Miles; still in Missouri

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas inmate convicted of attempted murder for assaulting a corrections officer in 2019 has been sentenced to more than 54 years in prison for the attack.

Ray Miles, 58, of Topeka, was convicted in August of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery and battery against a corrections officer. The Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office said Miles was sentenced Monday to 653 months in prison.

Prosecutors said Miles attacked Shawnee County corrections officer Kourtney Flynn on July 31, 2019, while Flynn was trying to retrieve a cordless phone from his cell. A court affidavit said Miles pushed Flynn to an isolated area of the jail and tried to stab her several times with a pen before other workers restrained him.

Flynn suffered several injuries, including a head injury.

At the time of the attack, Miles was in the jail to serve the remaining year of his sentences for attacking several employees of Topeka television station WIBW in 2012. In that attack, Miles broke into the station and assaulted the employees because they refused to report on a problem he was having with the Department of Veterans Affairs. He stabbed, kicked, bit and punched the employees before they were able to subdue him.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628293009576.png" alt="Miles-photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Miles-photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas inmate convicted of attempted murder for assaulting a corrections officer in 2019 has been sentenced to more than 54 years in prison for the attack.Ray Miles, 58, of Topeka, was convicted in August of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery and battery against a corrections officer. The Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office said Miles was sentenced Monday to 653 months in prison.Prosecutors said Miles attacked Shawnee County corrections officer Kourtney Flynn on July 31, 2019, while Flynn was trying to retrieve a cordless phone from his cell. A court affidavit said Miles pushed Flynn to an isolated area of the jail and tried to stab her several times with a pen before other workers restrained him.Flynn suffered several injuries, including a head injury.At the time of the attack, Miles was in the jail to serve the remaining year of his sentences for attacking several employees of Topeka television station WIBW in 2012. In that attack, Miles broke into the station and assaulted the employees because they refused to report on a problem he was having with the Department of Veterans Affairs. He stabbed, kicked, bit and punched the employees before they were able to subdue him.

54 more years in prison for assault on female Kan. corrections officer 

Experts are predicting an earlier start to the 2021 holiday shopping 
season because of supply chain concerns and holiday hiring. This entices
 scammers to find ways to take advantage of the situation. According to 
the analysis of <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/26013-online-purchase-scams-up-bbb-warns-holiday-shopping-is-at-risk" target="_blank">online purchase scam reports</a>
 submitted to BBB Scam Tracker, more than 400 different types of 
products were used by scammers to perpetrate fraud, including 
counterfeit products.

Scammers may capitalize on what people are looking for online, paying
 close attention to the most sought-after gifts such as electronics, 
toys, and other trendy gift items. Footwear and apparel were the most 
common counterfeit product types, with Nike the most impostered brand. 
Other top brands that scammers focus on, according to BBB research, 
include NFL clothing, Apple gadgets, Louis Vuitton handbags, Tiffany 
jewelry, LEGO toys, and 3M N95 masks.&nbsp;

Other items that scammers promote include luggage, collectibles, and 
medical/nutrition products. BBBs analysis also shows that pets and pet 
supplies are the riskiest online purchase scams, with 70% of people 
losing money, and a median dollar loss of $750. The French Bulldog was 
the top breed used to perpetuate puppy scams.

BBB offers the following tips on how to identify a potential online shopping scam:

To check the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/search" target="_blank">reliability of a company</a>, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/" target="_blank">BBB.org</a>.&nbsp;To report a scam, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/ScamTracker" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>.&nbsp;Find more <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/holiday" target="_blank">online holiday shopping tips</a> from BBB.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBExperts are predicting an earlier start to the 2021 holiday shopping 
season because of supply chain concerns and holiday hiring. This entices
 scammers to find ways to take advantage of the situation. According to 
the analysis of <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/26013-online-purchase-scams-up-bbb-warns-holiday-shopping-is-at-risk" target="_blank">online purchase scam reports</a>
 submitted to BBB Scam Tracker, more than 400 different types of 
products were used by scammers to perpetrate fraud, including 
counterfeit products.Scammers may capitalize on what people are looking for online, paying
 close attention to the most sought-after gifts such as electronics, 
toys, and other trendy gift items. Footwear and apparel were the most 
common counterfeit product types, with Nike the most impostered brand. 
Other top brands that scammers focus on, according to BBB research, 
include NFL clothing, Apple gadgets, Louis Vuitton handbags, Tiffany 
jewelry, LEGO toys, and 3M N95 masks.&nbsp;Other items that scammers promote include luggage, collectibles, and 
medical/nutrition products. BBBs analysis also shows that pets and pet 
supplies are the riskiest online purchase scams, with 70% of people 
losing money, and a median dollar loss of $750. The French Bulldog was 
the top breed used to perpetuate puppy scams.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637159358617.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBB offers the following tips on how to identify a potential online shopping scam:<ul>
 <li>Watch for low-priced or mid-priced items, usually in the hundreds of
 dollar range for an item that is typically offered at a much higher 
price at a retailer.</li><li>Consumers expect quality from things like shoes, clothing, and 
jewelry. If an online search for these items comes up with a range of 
items between $100 to $300 and associated with a name brand or a popular
 luxury item versus a search using a designer name and presents a much 
higher priced result, chances are it is probably not the real product.</li><li>Read the website and look for grammatical errors. Typographical 
errors indicate the site was more than likely put together quickly.</li><li>Search for contact information. Search for a phone, email address, 
online chat function, and check to see if there is a brick-and-mortar 
address for the business.</li><li>Check BBB. If a business displays a BBB Accredited Business seal, verify its legitimacy by going to <a href="https://www.bbb.org" target="_blank">BBB.org </a>and looking up the company.</li>
 </ul>To check the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/search" target="_blank">reliability of a company</a>, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/" target="_blank">BBB.org</a>.&nbsp;To report a scam, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbb.org/ScamTracker" target="_blank">BBB.org/ScamTracker</a>.&nbsp;Find more <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/holiday" target="_blank">online holiday shopping tips</a> from BBB.&nbsp;

Watch out for counterfeit items when shopping online this holiday season

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have made an arrest. Just before 1 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a shooting call at a home in the 2800 block of West Maple in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

 Upon arrival, officers located 27-year-old Matthew Rodriguez  who had been shot multiple times. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.

Police contacted 28-year-old Charles Burnham and another 30-year-old man who were at the home, according to Davidson.

The investigation revealed that all three men live at the home together and that Rodriguez  had made statements of ending his life.&nbsp; Rodriguez &nbsp;shot himself one time and Burnham then immediately obtained the handgun and fired multiple shots striking him, according to Davidson.

Burnham is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20073367">first-degree murder.</a>&nbsp;Investigators will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637084856781.png" alt="Burnham -photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Burnham -photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have made an arrest. Just before 1 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a shooting call at a home in the 2800 block of West Maple in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson. Upon arrival, officers located 27-year-old Matthew Rodriguez who had been shot multiple times. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.Police contacted 28-year-old Charles Burnham and another 30-year-old man who were at the home, according to Davidson.The investigation revealed that all three men live at the home together and that Rodriguez had made statements of ending his life.&nbsp; Rodriguez &nbsp;shot himself one time and Burnham then immediately obtained the handgun and fired multiple shots striking him, according to Davidson.Burnham is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20073367">first-degree murder.</a>&nbsp;Investigators will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.

Police: Kan. man shot, killed roommate who had shot himself

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coleman did not respond to requests for comment.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637093014616.png" alt="Coleman at a protest earlier this year opposing calls to remove him from office. Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Coleman at a protest earlier this year opposing calls to remove him from office. Stephen Koranda / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEPHEN KORANDA <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-11-10/heres-what-it-would-take-to-remove-a-kansas-lawmaker-charged-with-domestic-battery">Kansas News Service</a>Kansas state Rep. Aaron Coleman could face a second complaint from his fellow Democratic lawmakers following his <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-10-31/kansas-rep-aaron-coleman-arrested-on-domestic-violence-charge" target="_blank">arrest last month</a> for an alleged domestic battery. And it appears less likely he’d emerge with a simple reprimand like he did last time.Coleman,
 from Kansas City, Kansas, was the subject of a legislative complaint 
earlier this year based on allegations that he abused and threatened 
women before taking office. An investigative committee ultimately 
dismissed the charge and issued an informal letter of reprimand.Coleman
 has a history of allegations of abuse and harassment. The 21-year-old 
narrowly defeated an incumbent in last year’s election. That prompted 
calls to remove him when the allegations came to light. He was also <a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lifestyle-legislature-kansas-city-kansas-263a71a057314255fdf024b3acb34782" target="_blank">recently banned</a> from a state Department of Labor facility.Democrats on the committee earlier this year initially wanted harsher
 punishment — like a formal censure or expulsion from the Legislature.“There
 has to be something done, because otherwise this is a slap in the face 
to all those people who are his victims,” Democratic Rep. Cindy Neighbor
 said at the January hearing.But those efforts couldn’t advance 
because Republicans didn’t want to take more severe action over fear of 
setting a precedent. They said there was no previous instance of a 
lawmaker facing discipline for actions before they took office.“I
 don’t want to set a precedent that has never been done before in Kansas
 history,” Republican Rep. John Barker said when opposing any formal 
action against Coleman.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1635804497310.png" alt="Coleman in his Johnson Co. booking photo" />
 <figcaption>Coleman in his Johnson Co. booking photo</figcaption>
 </figure>If lawmakers file a new complaint against 
Coleman, committee members wouldn’t have the same concerns about setting
 a new precedent. In this case, Coleman would face discipline for 
actions he took while he was a sitting lawmaker.Few details have so far been released on Coleman’s arrest last month, but <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-11-01/kansas-state-rep-aaron-coleman-of-kansas-city-kansas-pleads-not-guilty-to-domestic-violence-charge" target="_blank">court documents</a>
 appear to show the battery charge stems from an alleged altercation 
with a family member. It appears that the family member may be Coleman’s
 brother.A group of women Democratic legislators say they will 
file a new complaint seeking expulsion if Coleman doesn't step down 
following the battery charge.“We are alarmed that an individual 
remains in a position of power after continued documented accounts of 
violence,” the lawmakers said in a statement. “The message must be sent 
that violence and dangerous conduct won’t be tolerated.”One of 
those lawmakers, Democratic Rep. Jo Ella Hoye, said the women had not 
set a deadline for Coleman to resign or face a new complaint.If a
 new complaint is filed, a committee would be created to investigate. 
That panel would then decide whether to dismiss the complaint or 
recommend some disciplinary action to the full House, which could 
admonish him or kick him out of the Legislature.With the 2022 
session slated to start Jan. 10, it’s unlikely a special investigative 
committee would be formed and consider a complaint before the next 
session starts.Coleman did not respond to requests for comment.Stephen Koranda is the news editor for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Stephen_Koranda" target="_blank">@Stephen_Koranda</a> or email him at stephenkoranda@kcur.org.

Kansas rep. allegedly hit brother, threatened grandfather on night of arrest

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A second set of states has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Biden administration's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers.

he latest suit, dated Monday, was filed in&nbsp;Louisiana&nbsp;on behalf of 12 states and comes less than a week after another lawsuit challenging the rule was filed in&nbsp;Missouri&nbsp;by a coalition of 10 states.

"The federal government will not impose medical tyranny on Louisiana’s people without my best fight," Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said in a news release announcing the lawsuit.

Both lawsuits say the vaccine mandate threatens to drive away health care workers who refuse to get vaccinated at a time when such workers are badly needed. They also contend the rule issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services violates federal law and unconstitutionally encroaches on powers reserved to the states.

The Louisiana lawsuit quotes from Friday's order by the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocking a broader Biden administration vaccine mandate that businesses with more than 100 workers require employees to be vaccinated by Jan. 4 or wear masks and be tested weekly for COVID-19.

Borrowing language from the 5th Circuit, the Louisiana lawsuit calls the health care worker vaccine requirement a “one-size-fits-all” sledgehammer. In addition to Louisiana, the suit covers&nbsp;Montana,&nbsp;Arizona,&nbsp;Alabama,&nbsp;Georgia,&nbsp;Idaho,&nbsp;Indiana,&nbsp;Mississippi,&nbsp;Oklahoma,&nbsp;South Carolina,&nbsp;Utah&nbsp;and West&nbsp;Virginia.

The Missouri suit includes Kansas, Nebraska, Alaska,&nbsp;Arkansas,&nbsp;Iowa, New Hampshire,&nbsp;North Dakota,&nbsp;South Dakota&nbsp;and&nbsp;Wyoming.

The Biden administration has not yet filed responses in either of the suits.

The Louisiana-based lawsuit was assigned to U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty, an appointee of President Donald Trump. Any appeals of a Doughty decision would go to the 5th Circuit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637099598329.png" alt="Protesters on November 12 against the hospital vaccine mandate in Wichita-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Protesters on November 12 against the hospital vaccine mandate in Wichita-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A second set of states has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Biden administration's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers.he latest suit, dated Monday, was filed in&nbsp;Louisiana&nbsp;on behalf of 12 states and comes less than a week after another lawsuit challenging the rule was filed in&nbsp;Missouri&nbsp;by a coalition of 10 states."The federal government will not impose medical tyranny on Louisiana’s people without my best fight," Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said in a news release announcing the lawsuit.Both lawsuits say the vaccine mandate threatens to drive away health care workers who refuse to get vaccinated at a time when such workers are badly needed. They also contend the rule issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services violates federal law and unconstitutionally encroaches on powers reserved to the states.The Louisiana lawsuit quotes from Friday's order by the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocking a broader Biden administration vaccine mandate that businesses with more than 100 workers require employees to be vaccinated by Jan. 4 or wear masks and be tested weekly for COVID-19.Borrowing language from the 5th Circuit, the Louisiana lawsuit calls the health care worker vaccine requirement a “one-size-fits-all” sledgehammer. In addition to Louisiana, the suit covers&nbsp;Montana,&nbsp;Arizona,&nbsp;Alabama,&nbsp;Georgia,&nbsp;Idaho,&nbsp;Indiana,&nbsp;Mississippi,&nbsp;Oklahoma,&nbsp;South Carolina,&nbsp;Utah&nbsp;and West&nbsp;Virginia.The Missouri suit includes Kansas, Nebraska, Alaska,&nbsp;Arkansas,&nbsp;Iowa, New Hampshire,&nbsp;North Dakota,&nbsp;South Dakota&nbsp;and&nbsp;Wyoming.The Biden administration has not yet filed responses in either of the suits.The Louisiana-based lawsuit was assigned to U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty, an appointee of President Donald Trump. Any appeals of a Doughty decision would go to the 5th Circuit.

2nd group of states challenges health worker vaccine mandate

KANSAS CITY (AP) — No one was reported injured after a police officer shot at a fleeing suspect’s car in Kansas City, police said.

The shooting happened around 11 p.m. Monday, police said in a news release. The shooting happened after a patrol officer spotted a vehicle speeding eastbound on East 31st Street toward U.S. Highway 40 and Interstate 435. An officer shot at the vehicle as it drove toward a second officer’s vehicle, police said.

The vehicle fled the scene, with no injuries from the shooting reported and no arrests made.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — No one was reported injured after a police officer shot at a fleeing suspect’s car in Kansas City, police said.The shooting happened around 11 p.m. Monday, police said in a news release. The shooting happened after a patrol officer spotted a vehicle speeding eastbound on East 31st Street toward U.S. Highway 40 and Interstate 435. An officer shot at the vehicle as it drove toward a second officer’s vehicle, police said.The vehicle fled the scene, with no injuries from the shooting reported and no arrests made.Police have not detailed why the officer shot at the speeding vehicle, but are investigating.