By BRIAN GRIMMETT <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2021-10-28/picking-health-insurance-is-hard-experts-offer-these-5-tips">Kansas News Service</a>

Choosing the right health insurance plan each year is an anxiety filled, complicated and overwhelming process.

You
 get a couple of weeks or, if you’re lucky, a few months to go over 
multiple options either provided through your employer or on the federal
 marketplace. That means sorting through terms like deductible, co-insurance and HSA that even experts have a hard time comprehending.

So
 you might just go with what you had last year, even if it might mean 
you end up spending more money than necessary or leave yourself open to a
 huge financial risk in the event of an unforeseen emergency.

We can’t make the process any less complicated. But the Kansas News Service spoke with a few experts for tips.

The first, and most basic step, is to know when your open enrollment period begins.

Many private employer-based health insurance plans open enrollment around October.

For
 those who get their health insurance from the federal marketplace, the 
open enrollment period begins Nov. 1 and runs through January 15.

Julia Voss is a certified application counselor with <a href="http://centralplainshealthcarepartnership.org/index.php/project-access/" target="_blank">Project Access</a> in Sedgwick County. She said it’s important to begin looking at healthcare.gov plans as soon as you can.

“You
 may have some questions that you need to investigate and do some more 
research on, so the earlier you do that the sooner you’re going to be 
able to make a good decision about meeting your needs,” she said.

It’s
 also important to recognize that choosing a health insurance plan will 
take effort. It might help to think about making health insurance 
selections the same way as you think about doing your taxes every year.

“Except
 you can pay someone to do your taxes for you,” said Emily Vardell, an 
assistant professor at Emporia State University who studies health 
insurance literacy. “You really can’t pay someone to pick your health 
insurance.”

Sure, both are a chore, she said, but with a little effort or some outside help, you can end up saving yourself a lot of money.

Before knowing what coverage will be best moving forward, it’s good to know how you’re already using the coverage you have.

Do you go to the doctor often? Is there a specialist you need to see? How many prescriptions do you need filled?

Vardell
 said looking at your previous usage will give you a better 
understanding of how much you actually spend, which could influence 
whether you choose a plan with a higher deductible and lower monthly 
premium or vice-versa.

She said you can find the information at 
your online health insurance account, looking at the statements sent to 
you in the mail, or even just back at your calendar.

Next, ask yourself if there’s any medical procedures you can plan.

Do you have a chronic condition? Are you planning on having a baby? Or knee surgery?

If
 so, you might consider changing to a plan with a lower deductible or 
coinsurance, even if it means paying a higher monthly premium.

“That’s
 kind of the beauty and the pain of health insurance,” Vardell said. 
“You have to pick every year, but at least you can change it to fit your
 needs.”

Voss, the application counselor, said it’s also important to look at the details of plans, especially really low-cost coverage.

Some plans only
 allow you to see a doctor once every three months, she said, and if you
 have three or four doctors you see regularly that’s probably not going 
to be the best plan.

All of the experts we spoke with said don’t be afraid to use any and all resources available.

If
 you’re on an employer-sponsored plan, reach out to your human resources
 manager. At larger companies, they’ll often have events or webinars 
that will explain the options and give people the opportunity to ask 
questions. They’re worth your time. The wrong call on an insurance plan 
can mean a difference of tens of thousands of dollars.

If you’re selecting a plan through the federal marketplace, Healthcare.gov has a <a href="https://localhelp.healthcare.gov/#/" target="_blank">find-a-navigator tool</a>.
 This will allow you to find people in your area, like Voss, who are 
trained to help people through the application and selection process.

Many
 other local and state agencies and nonprofits can answer questions 
about Medicaid and Medicare eligibility and application processes.

There are also several online tools, including <a href="https://www.justplainclear.com/en" target="_blank">JustPlainClear.com</a> which allows you to look up the meaning of terms such as deductible, coinsurance and HMO.

Voss
 also suggested asking people in your trusted circle, including friends 
and family members, about how they make health insurance choices and 
whether they’ve liked a certain aspect of a plan or not.

Katherine
 Baicker is a health economist and the dean of the Harris School of 
Public Policy at the University of Chicago. She said whatever you end up
 deciding, just do something.

“Being insured is much better than being uninsured,” she said.

Even
 if you have a high deductible plan that leaves you paying out of pocket
 for most of your health care costs, it’s better than not having 
insurance at all. It could be your last defense against financial ruin.

For instance, Insurers
 will often negotiate discounts with providers. That means the price 
you’ll pay, even if you still haven’t met your deductible, would be less
 than the non-insured rate the provider charges.

For young, 
healthy people, she said that choice can be hard because spending any 
money on a health premium can seem like a waste.

“But It wasn’t 
wasted, you might have gotten sick.” Baicker said. “And you had that 
protection whether you ended up using it or not in the same way that I 
have homeowners insurance and every year that my house doesn’t burn 
down, that’s a good year.”

Ultimately, even a low-cost plan can 
protect against catastrophically high expenses that can come from an 
accident or a surprise diagnosis such as cancer.

In the end, the 
experts all said that the system is probably a lot more complicated than
 necessary, but until that changes, it’s worth it to try to understand 
how you can make it work best for you.

“It can be empowering to 
say I’m not going to let the insurance company take advantage of me,” 
Vardell said. “I’m going to make a decision that’s going to help my 
family save money.”

Brian Grimmett reports on the environment, 
energy and natural resources for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News 
Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/briangrimmett?lang=en" target="_blank">@briangrimmett</a> or email him at grimmett@kmuw.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635445902970.png" alt="Health insurance plan information often provides an alphabet soup of terms and abbreviations. Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Health insurance plan information often provides an alphabet soup of terms and abbreviations. Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRIAN GRIMMETT <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/2021-10-28/picking-health-insurance-is-hard-experts-offer-these-5-tips">Kansas News Service</a>Choosing the right health insurance plan each year is an anxiety filled, complicated and overwhelming process.You
 get a couple of weeks or, if you’re lucky, a few months to go over 
multiple options either provided through your employer or on the federal
 marketplace. That means sorting through terms like deductible, co-insurance and HSA that even experts have a hard time comprehending.So
 you might just go with what you had last year, even if it might mean 
you end up spending more money than necessary or leave yourself open to a
 huge financial risk in the event of an unforeseen emergency.We can’t make the process any less complicated. But the Kansas News Service spoke with a few experts for tips.<h2>Prepare</h2>The first, and most basic step, is to know when your open enrollment period begins.Many private employer-based health insurance plans open enrollment around October.For
 those who get their health insurance from the federal marketplace, the 
open enrollment period begins Nov. 1 and runs through January 15.Julia Voss is a certified application counselor with <a href="http://centralplainshealthcarepartnership.org/index.php/project-access/" target="_blank">Project Access</a> in Sedgwick County. She said it’s important to begin looking at healthcare.gov plans as soon as you can.“You
 may have some questions that you need to investigate and do some more 
research on, so the earlier you do that the sooner you’re going to be 
able to make a good decision about meeting your needs,” she said.It’s
 also important to recognize that choosing a health insurance plan will 
take effort. It might help to think about making health insurance 
selections the same way as you think about doing your taxes every year.“Except
 you can pay someone to do your taxes for you,” said Emily Vardell, an 
assistant professor at Emporia State University who studies health 
insurance literacy. “You really can’t pay someone to pick your health 
insurance.”Sure, both are a chore, she said, but with a little effort or some outside help, you can end up saving yourself a lot of money.<h2>Reflect back</h2>Before knowing what coverage will be best moving forward, it’s good to know how you’re already using the coverage you have.Do you go to the doctor often? Is there a specialist you need to see? How many prescriptions do you need filled?Vardell
 said looking at your previous usage will give you a better 
understanding of how much you actually spend, which could influence 
whether you choose a plan with a higher deductible and lower monthly 
premium or vice-versa.She said you can find the information at 
your online health insurance account, looking at the statements sent to 
you in the mail, or even just back at your calendar.<h2>Plan ahead</h2>Next, ask yourself if there’s any medical procedures you can plan.Do you have a chronic condition? Are you planning on having a baby? Or knee surgery?If
 so, you might consider changing to a plan with a lower deductible or 
coinsurance, even if it means paying a higher monthly premium.“That’s
 kind of the beauty and the pain of health insurance,” Vardell said. 
“You have to pick every year, but at least you can change it to fit your
 needs.”Voss, the application counselor, said it’s also important to look at the details of plans, especially really low-cost coverage.Some plans only
 allow you to see a doctor once every three months, she said, and if you
 have three or four doctors you see regularly that’s probably not going 
to be the best plan.<h2>Get help</h2>All of the experts we spoke with said don’t be afraid to use any and all resources available.If
 you’re on an employer-sponsored plan, reach out to your human resources
 manager. At larger companies, they’ll often have events or webinars 
that will explain the options and give people the opportunity to ask 
questions. They’re worth your time. The wrong call on an insurance plan 
can mean a difference of tens of thousands of dollars.If you’re selecting a plan through the federal marketplace, Healthcare.gov has a <a href="https://localhelp.healthcare.gov/#/" target="_blank">find-a-navigator tool</a>.
 This will allow you to find people in your area, like Voss, who are 
trained to help people through the application and selection process.Many
 other local and state agencies and nonprofits can answer questions 
about Medicaid and Medicare eligibility and application processes.There are also several online tools, including <a href="https://www.justplainclear.com/en" target="_blank">JustPlainClear.com</a> which allows you to look up the meaning of terms such as deductible, coinsurance and HMO.Voss
 also suggested asking people in your trusted circle, including friends 
and family members, about how they make health insurance choices and 
whether they’ve liked a certain aspect of a plan or not.<h2>Anything is better than nothing</h2>Katherine
 Baicker is a health economist and the dean of the Harris School of 
Public Policy at the University of Chicago. She said whatever you end up
 deciding, just do something.“Being insured is much better than being uninsured,” she said.Even
 if you have a high deductible plan that leaves you paying out of pocket
 for most of your health care costs, it’s better than not having 
insurance at all. It could be your last defense against financial ruin.For instance, Insurers
 will often negotiate discounts with providers. That means the price 
you’ll pay, even if you still haven’t met your deductible, would be less
 than the non-insured rate the provider charges.For young, 
healthy people, she said that choice can be hard because spending any 
money on a health premium can seem like a waste.“But It wasn’t 
wasted, you might have gotten sick.” Baicker said. “And you had that 
protection whether you ended up using it or not in the same way that I 
have homeowners insurance and every year that my house doesn’t burn 
down, that’s a good year.”Ultimately, even a low-cost plan can 
protect against catastrophically high expenses that can come from an 
accident or a surprise diagnosis such as cancer.In the end, the 
experts all said that the system is probably a lot more complicated than
 necessary, but until that changes, it’s worth it to try to understand 
how you can make it work best for you.“It can be empowering to 
say I’m not going to let the insurance company take advantage of me,” 
Vardell said. “I’m going to make a decision that’s going to help my 
family save money.”Brian Grimmett reports on the environment, 
energy and natural resources for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News 
Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/briangrimmett?lang=en" target="_blank">@briangrimmett</a> or email him at grimmett@kmuw.org.

Picking health insurance is hard. Experts offer these 5 tips

JACKSON COUNTY —A 7-year-old boy died in an accident on a hay ride just after 7:30p.m. Saturday in a rural area of Jackson County, according to Sheriff Darryl Forte.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the boy was clinging to the trailer pulled by a John Deere tractor in the&nbsp; 1300 Block of Pratt Road just south of Poindexter Road. The boy fell and the trailer hit him.

Jackson County South ambulance transported the boy in critical condition to Lee's Summit Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.&nbsp; The MSHP has not released the child's name.

JACKSON COUNTY —A 7-year-old boy died in an accident on a hay ride just after 7:30p.m. Saturday in a rural area of Jackson County, according to Sheriff Darryl Forte.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the boy was clinging to the trailer pulled by a John Deere tractor in the&nbsp; 1300 Block of Pratt Road just south of Poindexter Road. The boy fell and the trailer hit him.Jackson County South ambulance transported the boy in critical condition to Lee's Summit Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.&nbsp; The MSHP has not released the child's name.

7-year-old dies after fall during hay ride near Kansas City

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Hundreds of people opposed to COVID-19 vaccine mandates rallied Saturday at the Kansas Statehouse, encouraged by Republicans who see President Joe Biden’s policies as a spur for higher turnout among conservative voters.

The rally kicked off ahead of a rare weekend legislative committee hearing on mandates that affect as many as 100 million Americans. The hearing gave dozens of mandate opponents a chance to vent their frustration and anger both with the Democratic president’s administration and Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Many of the speakers during the committee’s hearing argued that lawmakers should call themselves into special session instead of waiting until 2022. Lawmakers can do that without Kelly if two-thirds of them sign a petition, but so far such an effort hasn’t gained much traction.

“If we allow this to continue, there will be no stopping further government overreach,” said Cody Foster, a utility line worker and volunteer firefighter in central Kansas.

Meanwhile, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers rejected testimony from Cornell Beard, the president of its Wichita district, who on Friday compared the mandates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-kansas-topeka-derek-schmidt-bf71306f4f6aafb8175e38838c624d32">to the Holocaust</a>&nbsp;that killed million of Jews during World War II. A committee member, Republican Rep. Brenda Landwehr, of Wichita, appeared to agree with the comparison.

The Machinists union issued a statement Saturday saying it “strongly condemns the offensive and inappropriate comparison” made by Beard.

The legislative panel’s name — the joint Committee on Government Overreach and the Impact of COVID-19 Mandates — signals that Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature already have concluded that the mandates violate people’s liberties. But many are not yet sure what power the state has to resist.

The committee is supposed to recommend steps for the Legislature to take. It opened hearings Friday, and almost everyone testifying so far has strongly opposed vaccine mandates, with some repeating misinformation about vaccine safety.

Saturday’s hearing came after state Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican hoping to unseat Kelly next year, announced that he has brought Kansas into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-lawsuits-missouri-99fb3b040661c71ddde1ded37a2f5b87">a federal lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against Biden’s vaccine mandate for employees of government contractors.

The Biden administration is also requiring vaccinations for all federal workers and certain health care workers. Private employers with 100 or more workers will have to require them to be vaccinated or tested weekly.

“The war at hand is the well-being of our nation, the soul of our nation,” Republican state Sen. Mark Steffen, a Hutchinson anesthesiologist and pain-management doctor who’s promoted discredited COVID-19 conspiracy theories and dubious treatments, said at the start of Saturday’s hearing.

Republican activists and consultants across the country contend that opposition to vaccine mandates could create a movement akin to the tea party movement.

Participants in the Statehouse rally brought Gadsden flags — which say show a coiled snake and say, “Don’t tread on me.” Speakers urged attendees to vote for candidates who oppose vaccine and mask mandates in Tuesday’s local school board elections.

“If we do not consent, we cannot be governed,” state Rep. Pat Proctor, a Leavenworth Republican, told the crowd.

Other speakers included former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a polarizing conservative and vocal ally of former President Donald Trump who is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-biden-cabinet-immigration-government-and-politics-8cca8944f9921f1b55b032874c2e3726">running for Kansas attorney general</a>&nbsp;next year. A former law professor, Kobach said he would testify at the committee hearing as an expert on the U.S. Constitution.

“This is an organic grassroots uprising of the people,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635623502835.png" alt="Former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach spoke to those gathered at the Capitol to push back against federal mandates-photo courtesy Kris Kobach" />
 <figcaption>Former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach spoke to those gathered at the Capitol to push back against federal mandates-photo courtesy Kris Kobach</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Hundreds of people opposed to COVID-19 vaccine mandates rallied Saturday at the Kansas Statehouse, encouraged by Republicans who see President Joe Biden’s policies as a spur for higher turnout among conservative voters.The rally kicked off ahead of a rare weekend legislative committee hearing on mandates that affect as many as 100 million Americans. The hearing gave dozens of mandate opponents a chance to vent their frustration and anger both with the Democratic president’s administration and Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.Many of the speakers during the committee’s hearing argued that lawmakers should call themselves into special session instead of waiting until 2022. Lawmakers can do that without Kelly if two-thirds of them sign a petition, but so far such an effort hasn’t gained much traction.“If we allow this to continue, there will be no stopping further government overreach,” said Cody Foster, a utility line worker and volunteer firefighter in central Kansas.Meanwhile, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers rejected testimony from Cornell Beard, the president of its Wichita district, who on Friday compared the mandates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-kansas-topeka-derek-schmidt-bf71306f4f6aafb8175e38838c624d32">to the Holocaust</a>&nbsp;that killed million of Jews during World War II. A committee member, Republican Rep. Brenda Landwehr, of Wichita, appeared to agree with the comparison.The Machinists union issued a statement Saturday saying it “strongly condemns the offensive and inappropriate comparison” made by Beard.The legislative panel’s name — the joint Committee on Government Overreach and the Impact of COVID-19 Mandates — signals that Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature already have concluded that the mandates violate people’s liberties. But many are not yet sure what power the state has to resist.The committee is supposed to recommend steps for the Legislature to take. It opened hearings Friday, and almost everyone testifying so far has strongly opposed vaccine mandates, with some repeating misinformation about vaccine safety.Saturday’s hearing came after state Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican hoping to unseat Kelly next year, announced that he has brought Kansas into&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-lawsuits-missouri-99fb3b040661c71ddde1ded37a2f5b87">a federal lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against Biden’s vaccine mandate for employees of government contractors.The Biden administration is also requiring vaccinations for all federal workers and certain health care workers. Private employers with 100 or more workers will have to require them to be vaccinated or tested weekly.“The war at hand is the well-being of our nation, the soul of our nation,” Republican state Sen. Mark Steffen, a Hutchinson anesthesiologist and pain-management doctor who’s promoted discredited COVID-19 conspiracy theories and dubious treatments, said at the start of Saturday’s hearing.Republican activists and consultants across the country contend that opposition to vaccine mandates could create a movement akin to the tea party movement.Participants in the Statehouse rally brought Gadsden flags — which say show a coiled snake and say, “Don’t tread on me.” Speakers urged attendees to vote for candidates who oppose vaccine and mask mandates in Tuesday’s local school board elections.“If we do not consent, we cannot be governed,” state Rep. Pat Proctor, a Leavenworth Republican, told the crowd.Other speakers included former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a polarizing conservative and vocal ally of former President Donald Trump who is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-biden-cabinet-immigration-government-and-politics-8cca8944f9921f1b55b032874c2e3726">running for Kansas attorney general</a>&nbsp;next year. A former law professor, Kobach said he would testify at the committee hearing as an expert on the U.S. Constitution.“This is an organic grassroots uprising of the people,” he said.

Kansas vaccine mandate foes rally at the Statehouse

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Another case that will help draw some lines regarding gun laws in the United States is due to be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday.

"In two previous cases, the person who was expressing their right to have a handgun without a license kept it in their home," said KU Law professor Lou Mulligan. "The court in both cases ruled that an individual has an individual right to have a handgun in their home without a special license, again, in the home. What we're seeing in this New York case, New York State Rifle &amp; Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen case, is we're seeing, does this individual right to have a handgun without a license, does that extend to carrying a handgun out in public?"

New York law requires anyone who wants a license to carry a concealed handgun outside of the home to show “proper cause” for the license. Courts in New York have defined “proper cause” to require applicants to show a special need to defend themselves. The petitioners argue that you keep arms inside the home, but you bear arms outside the home and both are in the Second Amendment.

The three most recent appointees, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett are thought to be likely to interpret the text in the context of the time when it was written, rather than any modern interpretation of the words.

"On the left or the right, they are going to take their authentically held approach to interpreting the Constitution and they're going to bring it to this question," Mulligan said. "I don't know enough about the individual justices second amendment jurisprudence to give you a prediction."

There are numerous friend of the court briefs that have been filed in the case on both sides. The question isn't even necessarily what the decision will be as much as it is clarifying what the standard of scrutiny will be going forward. The justices traditionally take several months to decide a case once oral arguments are held, so it will likely be well into 2022 before the result is known.

By NICK GOSNELLHutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Another case that will help draw some lines regarding gun laws in the United States is due to be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday."In two previous cases, the person who was expressing their right to have a handgun without a license kept it in their home," said KU Law professor Lou Mulligan. "The court in both cases ruled that an individual has an individual right to have a handgun in their home without a special license, again, in the home. What we're seeing in this New York case, New York State Rifle &amp; Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen case, is we're seeing, does this individual right to have a handgun without a license, does that extend to carrying a handgun out in public?"New York law requires anyone who wants a license to carry a concealed handgun outside of the home to show “proper cause” for the license. Courts in New York have defined “proper cause” to require applicants to show a special need to defend themselves. The petitioners argue that you keep arms inside the home, but you bear arms outside the home and both are in the Second Amendment.The three most recent appointees, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett are thought to be likely to interpret the text in the context of the time when it was written, rather than any modern interpretation of the words."On the left or the right, they are going to take their authentically held approach to interpreting the Constitution and they're going to bring it to this question," Mulligan said. "I don't know enough about the individual justices second amendment jurisprudence to give you a prediction."There are numerous friend of the court briefs that have been filed in the case on both sides. The question isn't even necessarily what the decision will be as much as it is clarifying what the standard of scrutiny will be going forward. The justices traditionally take several months to decide a case once oral arguments are held, so it will likely be well into 2022 before the result is known.

2nd amendment question once again before SCOTUS

COLUMBUS, Kan. (AP) — A 53-year-old man who fatally burned his neighbor and injured two police officers has been sentenced to life in prison. 

Harvey Raymond Ortberg, of Baxter Springs, was sentenced Monday. He pleaded guilty in July to first-degree murder in the 2017 death of 65-year-old Sharon Horn. He also was sentenced to nine years and four months for injuring two officers. Prosecutors said Ortberg attacked Horn in her Baxter Springs home. 

When officers Jimmy Hamilton and Justin Butler arrived, Ortberg doused himself and the others with gasoline and set the fire. Hamilton suffered severe burns and was in a burn unit at a Springfield, Missouri, hospital for months before being released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635530957950.png" alt="Ortberg-photo Cherokee Co." />
 <figcaption>Ortberg-photo Cherokee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBUS, Kan. (AP) — A 53-year-old man who fatally burned his neighbor and injured two police officers has been sentenced to life in prison. Harvey Raymond Ortberg, of Baxter Springs, was sentenced Monday. He pleaded guilty in July to first-degree murder in the 2017 death of 65-year-old Sharon Horn. He also was sentenced to nine years and four months for injuring two officers. Prosecutors said Ortberg attacked Horn in her Baxter Springs home. When officers Jimmy Hamilton and Justin Butler arrived, Ortberg doused himself and the others with gasoline and set the fire. Hamilton suffered severe burns and was in a burn unit at a Springfield, Missouri, hospital for months before being released.

Life in prison: Man burned Kan. woman to death, injured officers

ELLSWORTH COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Saturday in Ellsworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Mazda 3 Grand Touring driven by Jose S. Medina, 26, Phoenix, Az., was fleeing law enforcement westbound in the 700 Block of Avenue N just east of 7th Road.

The driver lost control of the vehicle. It traveled into the ditch and rolled.

EMS transported passengers Destiny Lorraine Armstrong, 18, Glendale, Az. and&nbsp;Kennedy, Alaina Ann Kennedy, 31, Council Bluffs, IA., to the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Medina was not injured. Kennedy was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Authorities have not released details on what prompted the chase.

ELLSWORTH COUNTY—Two people were injured in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Saturday in Ellsworth County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Mazda 3 Grand Touring driven by Jose S. Medina, 26, Phoenix, Az., was fleeing law enforcement westbound in the 700 Block of Avenue N just east of 7th Road.The driver lost control of the vehicle. It traveled into the ditch and rolled.EMS transported passengers Destiny Lorraine Armstrong, 18, Glendale, Az. and&nbsp;Kennedy, Alaina Ann Kennedy, 31, Council Bluffs, IA., to the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Medina was not injured. Kennedy was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.Authorities have not released details on what prompted the chase.

KHP: 2 hospitalized after crash during police chase

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City returned an indictment charging a Kansas City, Kansas man with one count of bank robbery and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, in September 2021, Davonte Chaney, 29, allegedly used a semi-automatic pistol to rob Truity Credit Union on West 31st Street in Lawrence, Kansas.&nbsp;

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Lawrence, Kansas Police Department investigated the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635251246746.png" alt="Chaney-photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Chaney-photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City returned an indictment charging a Kansas City, Kansas man with one count of bank robbery and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, in September 2021, Davonte Chaney, 29, allegedly used a semi-automatic pistol to rob Truity Credit Union on West 31st Street in Lawrence, Kansas.&nbsp;The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Lawrence, Kansas Police Department investigated the case.

Indictment: Man used semi-automatic pistol during Kan. bank robbery

SHAWNEE COUNTY —A Kansas man is awaiting sentencing for the murder of his mother.

On Oct. 24, 46-year-old David E. Wood, Jr. of Topeka entered a guilty plea to second degree intentional murder for the 2019 beating death of&nbsp;69-year-old Kyong “Carol” Wood, of Topeka, according to the Shawnee County District Attorney's office.

&nbsp;On June 16, 2019, law enforcement was dispatched to 1501 SW Tyler at 11:59 AM. Officers briefly entered the residence due to the nature of the call and they immediately located Kyong Wood, already deceased, just inside the residence. 

Believing the suspect to still be in the residence, law enforcement backed out and set up a perimeter. After a nearly 5-hour standoff, law enforcement utilized tear gas and, at that time, David E. Wood, Jr. exited the residence and was taken into custody and charged with the murder.

Wood faces a minimum of 44-years in prison, according to a statement from the DA's office. Sentencing is set for Dec. 21.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635503373096.png" alt="Wood-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Wood-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —A Kansas man is awaiting sentencing for the murder of his mother.On Oct. 24, 46-year-old David E. Wood, Jr. of Topeka entered a guilty plea to second degree intentional murder for the 2019 beating death of&nbsp;69-year-old Kyong “Carol” Wood, of Topeka, according to the Shawnee County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;On June 16, 2019, law enforcement was dispatched to 1501 SW Tyler at 11:59 AM. Officers briefly entered the residence due to the nature of the call and they immediately located Kyong Wood, already deceased, just inside the residence. Believing the suspect to still be in the residence, law enforcement backed out and set up a perimeter. After a nearly 5-hour standoff, law enforcement utilized tear gas and, at that time, David E. Wood, Jr. exited the residence and was taken into custody and charged with the murder.Wood faces a minimum of 44-years in prison, according to a statement from the DA's office. Sentencing is set for Dec. 21.

Kansas man awaits sentencing for the murder of his mother

MOLINE, IL. (AP) —Farm equipment manufacturer Deere &amp; Co. reached a tentative labor agreement Saturday with the United Auto Workers union.

But a UAW strike that began Oct. 14 will continue -- and details of the proposed contract will not be released -- while workers study the terms of the agreement in advance of a vote.

The pact would cover more than 10,000 production and maintenance workers at 12 Deere sites in Iowa, Illinois and Kansas.

The strike began after UAW workers overwhelmingly rejected an initial proposed contract that would have delivered immediate 5% raises for some workers and 6% for others depending on their positions at Deere factories. The pact also called for 3% raises in 2023 and 2025.

After the first deal was rejected, UAW “negotiators focused on improving the areas of concern identified by our members,’’ said Chuck Browning, director of the union’s farm equipment department.

The U.S. economy’s unexpectedly strong rebound from last year’s brief but intense coronavirus recession has created labor shortages -- and handed workers more leverage to demand higher pay and better benefits.

The contract talks come as strong sales this year helped Moline, Illinois-based Deere report $4.7 billion net income for the first nine months of its fiscal year, which was more than double the $2 billion it reported a year ago.

The company is expecting to earn more than $5.7 billion this fiscal year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634596496067.png" alt="The strike began Oct. 14 after union members overwhelmingly rejected a proposed contract that would have delivered 5% raises to some workers and 6% raises to others depending on their positions in the factory.-Photo courtesy WQAD TV" />
 <figcaption>The strike began Oct. 14 after union members overwhelmingly rejected a proposed contract that would have delivered 5% raises to some workers and 6% raises to others depending on their positions in the factory.-Photo courtesy WQAD TV</figcaption>
 </figure>MOLINE, IL. (AP) —Farm equipment manufacturer Deere &amp; Co. reached a tentative labor agreement Saturday with the United Auto Workers union.But a UAW strike that began Oct. 14 will continue -- and details of the proposed contract will not be released -- while workers study the terms of the agreement in advance of a vote.The pact would cover more than 10,000 production and maintenance workers at 12 Deere sites in Iowa, Illinois and Kansas.The strike began after UAW workers overwhelmingly rejected an initial proposed contract that would have delivered immediate 5% raises for some workers and 6% for others depending on their positions at Deere factories. The pact also called for 3% raises in 2023 and 2025.After the first deal was rejected, UAW “negotiators focused on improving the areas of concern identified by our members,’’ said Chuck Browning, director of the union’s farm equipment department.The U.S. economy’s unexpectedly strong rebound from last year’s brief but intense coronavirus recession has created labor shortages -- and handed workers more leverage to demand higher pay and better benefits.The contract talks come as strong sales this year helped Moline, Illinois-based Deere report $4.7 billion net income for the first nine months of its fiscal year, which was more than double the $2 billion it reported a year ago.The company is expecting to earn more than $5.7 billion this fiscal year.

Deere, UAW reach tentative pact; strike continues for now

BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — A&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;sheriff’s deputy caught on dashcam video running over a Black man who was fleeing shirtless across a field is now working at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility while under criminal investigation, according to the attorney for the injured man.

Lionel Womack, a former police detective from Kansas City, Kansas, alleges in an excessive force lawsuit filed last year that Kiowa County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremy Rodriguez intentionally drove over him during the Aug. 15, 2020, incident that was captured on dashcam video. Womack says he sustained serious injuries to his back, pelvis, and right thigh, knee and foot.

In a court filing responding to the lawsuit, Rodriguez denied he intentionally swerved his truck to run over Womack. The deputy said he learned later that Womack did not possess a weapon.

Rodriguez is under criminal investigation by federal and state authorities over the incident.

Attorney Michael Kuckelman, who represents Womack, wrote in a letter Tuesday to Kansas Secretary of Corrections Jefferey Zmuda and Warden Dan Schnurr that he was “shocked” to learn in a deposition that they would employ Rodriguez, who works as a master sergeant at the facility.

Kuckelman encouraged them to discuss the ongoing criminal investigations with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

William Townsley, who represents Rodriguez, told The Associated Press Wednesday that they will review the communications and would respond later. A spokesman for the state Department of Corrections said in an email that they are trying to determine the department's position on this and will follow up “at a more appropriate time.”

Rodriguez testified in his deposition that he was asked by the Department of Corrections to work at the Hutchinson prison, despite the fact that he remains under criminal investigation and is on administrative suspension from the Kiowa County Sheriff's Office, according to Kuckelman's letter. He testified that the decision to allow him to work at the prison was made by the Zmuda and Schnurr.

Kuckelman in his letter urged them to review the videos of Rodriguez running down Womack, and to consider whether it's appropriate to have him responsible for supervising prisoners and other prison guards.

"Master Sergeant Rodriguez has been employed by at least 15 different law enforcement agencies and multiple jails/prisons," Kuckelman wrote. “It is time to weed Master Sergeant out of all forms of law enforcement and cease covering or overlooking his misconduct as a law enforcement officer.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608224627585.png" alt="Image from the dashcam video / courtesy Attorney Michael Kuckelman" />
 <figcaption>Image from the dashcam video / courtesy Attorney Michael Kuckelman</figcaption>
 </figure>By ROXANA HEGEMANBELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — A&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;sheriff’s deputy caught on dashcam video running over a Black man who was fleeing shirtless across a field is now working at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility while under criminal investigation, according to the attorney for the injured man.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608219106986.png" alt="Womack-from his brief time in Pratt Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Womack-from his brief time in Pratt Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>Lionel Womack, a former police detective from Kansas City, Kansas, alleges in an excessive force lawsuit filed last year that Kiowa County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremy Rodriguez intentionally drove over him during the Aug. 15, 2020, incident that was captured on dashcam video. Womack says he sustained serious injuries to his back, pelvis, and right thigh, knee and foot.In a court filing responding to the lawsuit, Rodriguez denied he intentionally swerved his truck to run over Womack. The deputy said he learned later that Womack did not possess a weapon.Rodriguez is under criminal investigation by federal and state authorities over the incident.Attorney Michael Kuckelman, who represents Womack, wrote in a letter Tuesday to Kansas Secretary of Corrections Jefferey Zmuda and Warden Dan Schnurr that he was “shocked” to learn in a deposition that they would employ Rodriguez, who works as a master sergeant at the facility.Kuckelman encouraged them to discuss the ongoing criminal investigations with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.William Townsley, who represents Rodriguez, told The Associated Press Wednesday that they will review the communications and would respond later. A spokesman for the state Department of Corrections said in an email that they are trying to determine the department's position on this and will follow up “at a more appropriate time.”Rodriguez testified in his deposition that he was asked by the Department of Corrections to work at the Hutchinson prison, despite the fact that he remains under criminal investigation and is on administrative suspension from the Kiowa County Sheriff's Office, according to Kuckelman's letter. He testified that the decision to allow him to work at the prison was made by the Zmuda and Schnurr.Kuckelman in his letter urged them to review the videos of Rodriguez running down Womack, and to consider whether it's appropriate to have him responsible for supervising prisoners and other prison guards."Master Sergeant Rodriguez has been employed by at least 15 different law enforcement agencies and multiple jails/prisons," Kuckelman wrote. “It is time to weed Master Sergeant out of all forms of law enforcement and cease covering or overlooking his misconduct as a law enforcement officer.”

Attorney: Deputy who ran over Black man now works at Kan. prison

By DAN MARGOLIES <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-10-28/jose-peppers-agrees-to-1-75-million-settlement-with-its-servers-over-minimum-wage-and-overtime">Kansas News Service</a>

A federal judge has approved a $1.75 million settlement to resolve 
claims by servers at Jose Pepper’s that they were denied minimum wage 
and overtime, and were required to work before clocking in.

U.S. 
Magistrate Judge Angel Teeter had previously rejected the settlement, 
saying she didn’t have enough information to evaluate whether the 
settlement adequately compensated the servers.

But on Thursday she said her concerns had been addressed and granted preliminary approval to the settlement.

The
 settlement calls for the plaintiffs’ attorneys to receive a third of 
the money, leaving about $1.14 million for eligible servers. Court 
documents state that the average payment per server will come to about 
$568.

The settlement resolves a lawsuit brought in July 2020 by a 
server in the Jose Pepper’s restaurant in Belton, Missouri. The server, 
Kira Florece, sued on behalf of herself and other servers, alleging Jose
 Pepper’s violated federal and state labor laws.

Florece claimed 
servers were allowed to work overtime only if they didn’t clock in, 
asked to report overtime under other employees’ names and had their 
reported overtime hours removed from the timekeeping system.

She 
also claimed servers were asked to work only for tips during the 
COVID-19 pandemic, asked to spend more than 20% of their working time on
 non-tipped work and required to share tips with non-tipped workers.

Jose Pepper’s denied the allegations and said its payroll data showed that servers recorded and received overtime pay.

Jose
 Pepper’s operates nine restaurants in Kansas and four in Missouri. The 
popular Mexican-American restaurant chain was founded by Ed Gieselman in
 1988 as a single restaurant in Overland Park. It has since grown to 
include locations throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area, Topeka 
and Wichita.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635457212709.png" alt="Patrons enter the Jose Pepper's restaurant on Johnson Drive in Mission. Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3" />
 <figcaption>Patrons enter the Jose Pepper's restaurant on Johnson Drive in Mission. Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAN MARGOLIES <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-10-28/jose-peppers-agrees-to-1-75-million-settlement-with-its-servers-over-minimum-wage-and-overtime">Kansas News Service</a>A federal judge has approved a $1.75 million settlement to resolve 
claims by servers at Jose Pepper’s that they were denied minimum wage 
and overtime, and were required to work before clocking in.U.S. 
Magistrate Judge Angel Teeter had previously rejected the settlement, 
saying she didn’t have enough information to evaluate whether the 
settlement adequately compensated the servers.But on Thursday she said her concerns had been addressed and granted preliminary approval to the settlement.The
 settlement calls for the plaintiffs’ attorneys to receive a third of 
the money, leaving about $1.14 million for eligible servers. Court 
documents state that the average payment per server will come to about 
$568.The settlement resolves a lawsuit brought in July 2020 by a 
server in the Jose Pepper’s restaurant in Belton, Missouri. The server, 
Kira Florece, sued on behalf of herself and other servers, alleging Jose
 Pepper’s violated federal and state labor laws.Florece claimed 
servers were allowed to work overtime only if they didn’t clock in, 
asked to report overtime under other employees’ names and had their 
reported overtime hours removed from the timekeeping system.She 
also claimed servers were asked to work only for tips during the 
COVID-19 pandemic, asked to spend more than 20% of their working time on
 non-tipped work and required to share tips with non-tipped workers.Jose Pepper’s denied the allegations and said its payroll data showed that servers recorded and received overtime pay.Jose
 Pepper’s operates nine restaurants in Kansas and four in Missouri. The 
popular Mexican-American restaurant chain was founded by Ed Gieselman in
 1988 as a single restaurant in Overland Park. It has since grown to 
include locations throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area, Topeka 
and Wichita.

Jose Pepper’s agrees to $1.75M settlement with servers over minimum wage, OT

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Nineteen states are now suing to block President Joe Biden's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal contractors. 

One suit filed in Missouri on Friday includes that state as well as Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. A second suit filed in Georgia also includes Alabama, Idaho, Kansas, South Carolina, Utah and West Virginia. Texas sued individually on Friday, while Florida filed a separate lawsuit Thursday. 

The lawsuits argue that the Biden administration overstepped its authority in requiring federal contractors to make their employees get the coronavirus vaccine. Biden has argued that sweeping vaccine mandates will help end the deadly pandemic.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Nineteen states are now suing to block President Joe Biden's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal contractors. One suit filed in Missouri on Friday includes that state as well as Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. A second suit filed in Georgia also includes Alabama, Idaho, Kansas, South Carolina, Utah and West Virginia. Texas sued individually on Friday, while Florida filed a separate lawsuit Thursday. The lawsuits argue that the Biden administration overstepped its authority in requiring federal contractors to make their employees get the coronavirus vaccine. Biden has argued that sweeping vaccine mandates will help end the deadly pandemic.

Kan., 18 other states sue Biden admin. over COVID vaccine rule

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident during a high speed chase just before 11a.m. Friday in Montgomery County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Kia Optima driven by&nbsp; Justin Allen Frostad, 28, Neodesha, was&nbsp;eastbound on County Road 3875 approximately two miles east of U.S. 75.&nbsp;

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Department was in pursuit of the vehicle. Frostad lost control of the Kia after crossing railroad tracks. The KIA veered off the road to the north, rolled and came to rest on its top in a field north of the road.

&nbsp;Frostad was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Webb and Rodrick Chapel.

EMS transported a passenger identified as Shania Marie Parks, 20, South Coffeyville, to a hospital in Tulsa. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635554367409.png" alt="Justin Frostad had previous felony convictions for counterfeiting, aggravated endangering a child and for drugs, according to the Kan. Department of Corrections. Photo from an earlier arrest in Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Justin Frostad had previous felony convictions for counterfeiting, aggravated endangering a child and for drugs, according to the Kan. Department of Corrections. Photo from an earlier arrest in Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident during a high speed chase just before 11a.m. Friday in Montgomery County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Kia Optima driven by&nbsp; Justin Allen Frostad, 28, Neodesha, was&nbsp;eastbound on County Road 3875 approximately two miles east of U.S. 75.&nbsp;The Montgomery County Sheriff's Department was in pursuit of the vehicle. Frostad lost control of the Kia after crossing railroad tracks. The KIA veered off the road to the north, rolled and came to rest on its top in a field north of the road.&nbsp;Frostad was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Webb and Rodrick Chapel.EMS transported a passenger identified as Shania Marie Parks, 20, South Coffeyville, to a hospital in Tulsa. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

Kan. man dead after rollover crash during high speed chase

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department is in talks to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to each child and parent who was separated under a Trump-era practice of splitting families at the border, a person familiar with discussions to settle lawsuits said Thursday.

The Wall Street Journal first&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-administration-in-talks-to-pay-hundreds-of-millions-to-immigrant-families-separated-at-border-11635447591?mod=hp_lead_pos7" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;that the government was considering payments around $450,000 to each person affected. A person familiar with the talks told The Associated Press that figure was under consideration but changed, though not dramatically. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions are private.

The discussions continue, and there is no guarantee the two sides will strike agreement.

About 5,500 children were split from their parents under President Donald Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy, under which parents were separated from their children to face criminal prosecution for crossing the border illegally, according to court filings in a federal case in San Diego. Inadequate tracking systems caused many to be apart for an extended time. The payments are intended to compensate for the psychological trauma.

Attorneys for the families are also seeking permanent legal status in the United States for those separated under the practice, which a judge halted in June 2018, six days after Trump stopped it amid an international backlash.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday night.

The settlement talks involve several law firms. The American Civil Liberties Union is representing parents in the San Diego case.

The National Immigration Litigation Alliance represents five mothers and their children who were separated for more than two months, including four children who were sent to holding facilities in New York. A federal judge in Arizona&nbsp;<a href="https://immigrationlitigation.org/impact-litigation/" target="_blank">denied</a>&nbsp;the government’s bid to dismiss the case last year.

“No amount of money can compensate for the amount of pain and suffering these parents and children endured under this unconscionable and unprecedented policy,” said Trina Realmuto, executive director of the National Immigration Litigation Alliance.

A Justice Department&nbsp;<a href="https://oig.justice.gov/reports/review-department-justices-planning-and-implementation-its-zero-tolerance-policy-and-its" target="_blank">inspector general’s report</a>&nbsp;in January said a “single-minded focus on increasing immigration prosecutions came at the expense of careful and appropriate consideration of the impact of family unit prosecutions and child separations.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618396445966.png" alt="Children at the U.S. Mexico border-photo courtesy Rep. Tracey Mann" />
 <figcaption>Children at the U.S. Mexico border-photo courtesy Rep. Tracey Mann</figcaption>
 </figure>SAN DIEGO (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department is in talks to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to each child and parent who was separated under a Trump-era practice of splitting families at the border, a person familiar with discussions to settle lawsuits said Thursday.The Wall Street Journal first&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-administration-in-talks-to-pay-hundreds-of-millions-to-immigrant-families-separated-at-border-11635447591?mod=hp_lead_pos7" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;that the government was considering payments around $450,000 to each person affected. A person familiar with the talks told The Associated Press that figure was under consideration but changed, though not dramatically. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions are private.The discussions continue, and there is no guarantee the two sides will strike agreement.About 5,500 children were split from their parents under President Donald Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy, under which parents were separated from their children to face criminal prosecution for crossing the border illegally, according to court filings in a federal case in San Diego. Inadequate tracking systems caused many to be apart for an extended time. The payments are intended to compensate for the psychological trauma.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618396418186.png" alt="Children in a holding facility at the border -photo courtesy Rep. Tracey Mann" />
 <figcaption>Children in a holding facility at the border -photo courtesy Rep. Tracey Mann</figcaption>
 </figure>Attorneys for the families are also seeking permanent legal status in the United States for those separated under the practice, which a judge halted in June 2018, six days after Trump stopped it amid an international backlash.The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday night.The settlement talks involve several law firms. The American Civil Liberties Union is representing parents in the San Diego case.The National Immigration Litigation Alliance represents five mothers and their children who were separated for more than two months, including four children who were sent to holding facilities in New York. A federal judge in Arizona&nbsp;<a href="https://immigrationlitigation.org/impact-litigation/" target="_blank">denied</a>&nbsp;the government’s bid to dismiss the case last year.“No amount of money can compensate for the amount of pain and suffering these parents and children endured under this unconscionable and unprecedented policy,” said Trina Realmuto, executive director of the National Immigration Litigation Alliance.A Justice Department&nbsp;<a href="https://oig.justice.gov/reports/review-department-justices-planning-and-implementation-its-zero-tolerance-policy-and-its" target="_blank">inspector general’s report</a>&nbsp;in January said a “single-minded focus on increasing immigration prosecutions came at the expense of careful and appropriate consideration of the impact of family unit prosecutions and child separations.”

$450K per person: US in talks to compensate families separated at border

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating theft from a store in Atchison have made an arrest.

On Wednesday, police arrested 40-year-old Carl D. Griffin, Jr., 40, St. Joseph, on a District Court warrant for theft in connection to the theft of two chainsaws from the Hardware Store, 609 Commercial, on August 31.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635432687395.png" alt="Griffin photo Atchison County" />
 <figcaption>Griffin photo Atchison County</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating theft from a store in Atchison have made an arrest.On Wednesday, police arrested 40-year-old Carl D. Griffin, Jr., 40, St. Joseph, on a District Court warrant for theft in connection to the theft of two chainsaws from the Hardware Store, 609 Commercial, on August 31.He remains in custody.

Missouri man jailed in Kansas for chainsaw thefts

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court is considering whether a retired judge should be disciplined for sharing nude photos online.

 The court heard arguments Thursday involving retired Russell County Magistrate Judge Marty Clark, who sent the photos of himself to a website for swingers.

The Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct concluded in May that Clark had violated ethical standards for judges. The commission's attorney argued Thursday that Clark should be barred from being a judge again unless he is educated on the integrity of the judicial branch. Clark's attorney argued Clark should not be disciplined for sending the photos to a private channel on his own time.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court is considering whether a retired judge should be disciplined for sharing nude photos online.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yrJksnDEMQA?start=61" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div> The court heard arguments Thursday involving retired Russell County Magistrate Judge Marty Clark, who sent the photos of himself to a website for swingers.The Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct concluded in May that Clark had violated ethical standards for judges. The commission's attorney argued Thursday that Clark should be barred from being a judge again unless he is educated on the integrity of the judicial branch. Clark's attorney argued Clark should not be disciplined for sending the photos to a private channel on his own time.

🎥Kansas Supreme Court debates judge who shared nude photos

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 44-year-old man was sentenced to more than 13 years in prison for a crash that killed longtime Wichita radio host Don Hall. Ray Watkins was sentenced Friday for involuntary manslaughter. 

Police said Watkins ran a red light and hit Hall's car in April 2020. Evidence during Watkins' trial showed he had a blood alcohol content more than two times the legal limit at the time of the crash. 

Hall worked for more than 45 years in radio in Wichita. He was also the longtime arena announcer for Wichita State University basketball.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The jury trial of a man charged in a fatal DUI crash that killed a longtime radio host and Wichita State basketball announcer is underway, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Ray Watkins, 44, is charged with involuntary manslaughter&nbsp;while driving under the influence in the April 29, 2020 crash that killed&nbsp; 70-year-old Don Hall.

 Police said they believe Watkins ran a red light before the crash. He had minor injuries, but Hall died at the scene. Watkins was originally arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder.

An affidavit released in the case against Watkins said he had a 0.243 blood alcohol on the day of the crash.. The legal limit in Kansas is 0.08.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588158119316.png" alt="First responders at the accident scene -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the accident scene -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 44-year-old man was sentenced to more than 13 years in prison for a crash that killed longtime Wichita radio host Don Hall. Ray Watkins was sentenced Friday for involuntary manslaughter. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588182421819.png" alt="Watkins photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Watkins photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Police said Watkins ran a red light and hit Hall's car in April 2020. Evidence during Watkins' trial showed he had a blood alcohol content more than two times the legal limit at the time of the crash. Hall worked for more than 45 years in radio in Wichita. He was also the longtime arena announcer for Wichita State University basketball.-----SEDGWICK COUNTY —The jury trial of a man charged in a fatal DUI crash that killed a longtime radio host and Wichita State basketball announcer is underway, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Ray Watkins, 44, is charged with involuntary manslaughter&nbsp;while driving under the influence in the April 29, 2020 crash that killed&nbsp; 70-year-old Don Hall. Police said they believe Watkins ran a red light before the crash. He had minor injuries, but Hall died at the scene. Watkins was originally arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder.An affidavit released in the case against Watkins said he had a 0.243 blood alcohol on the day of the crash.. The legal limit in Kansas is 0.08.

Man sentenced for DUI crash that killed Kansas radio host

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration on Friday paved the way for children ages 5 to 11 to get Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.

The FDA cleared kid-size doses — just a third of the amount given to teens and adults — for emergency use, and up to 28 million more American children could be eligible for vaccinations as early as next week.

One more regulatory hurdle remains: On Tuesday, advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will make more detailed recommendations on which youngsters should get vaccinated, with a final decision by the agency’s director expected shortly afterwards.

“Vaccinating younger children against COVID-19 will bring us closer to returning to a sense of normalcy,” Dr. Janet Woodcock, the acting FDA commissioner, said in a statement. “Our comprehensive and rigorous evaluation of the data pertaining to the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness should help assure parents and guardians that this vaccine meets our high standards.”

A few countries have begun using other COVID-19 vaccines in children under 12, including China, which just began vaccinations for 3-year-olds. But many that use the vaccine made by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech are watching the U.S. decision, and European regulators just began considering the companies’ kid-size doses

With FDA’s action, Pfizer plans to begin shipping millions of vials of the pediatric vaccine — in orange caps to avoid mix-ups with the purple-capped doses for everyone else — to doctors’ offices, pharmacies and other vaccination sites. Once the CDC issues its ruling, eligible kids will get two shots, three weeks apart.

While children are at lower risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 than older people, 5- to 11-year-olds still have been seriously affected -- including over 8,300 hospitalizations, about a third requiring intensive care, and nearly 100 deaths since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the FDA.

And with the extra-contagious delta variant circulating, the government has counted more than 2,000 coronavirus-related school closings just since the start of the school year, affecting more than a million children.

“With this vaccine kids can go back to something that’s better than being locked at home on remote schooling, not being able to see their friends,” said Dr. Kawsar Talaat of Johns Hopkins University. “The vaccine will protect them and also protect our communities.”

Earlier this week, FDA’s independent scientific advisers voted that the pediatric vaccine’s promised benefits outweigh any risks. But several panelists said not all youngsters will need to be vaccinated, and that they preferred the shots be targeted to those at higher risk from the virus.

Nearly 70% of 5- to 11-year-olds hospitalized for COVID-19 in the U.S. have other serious medical conditions, including asthma and obesity, according to federal tracking. Additionally, more than two-thirds of youngsters hospitalized are Black or Hispanic, mirroring long-standing disparities in the disease’s impact.

The question of how broadly Pfizer’s vaccine should be used will be a key consideration for the CDC and its advisers, who set formal recommendations for pediatricians and other medical professionals.

A Pfizer study of 2,268 schoolchildren found the vaccine was nearly 91% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infections, based on 16 cases of COVID-19 among kids given dummy shots compared to just three who got vaccinated.

The kid dosage also proved safe, with similar or fewer temporary reactions — such as sore arms, fever or achiness — that teens experience.

But the study wasn’t large enough to detect any extremely rare side effects, such as the heart inflammation that occasionally occurs after the second full-strength dose, mostly in young men and teen boys. It’s unclear if younger children getting a smaller dose also will face that rare risk.

Some parents are expected to vaccinate their children ahead of family holiday gatherings and the winter cold season.

But a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey suggests most parents won’t rush to get the shots. About 25% of parents polled earlier this month said they would get their children vaccinated “right away.” But the remaining majority of parents were roughly split between those who said they will to wait to see how the vaccine performs and those who said they “definitely” won’t have their children vaccinated.

The similarly made Moderna vaccine also is being studied in young children, and both Pfizer and Moderna also are testing shots for babies and preschoolers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635537216378.png" alt="The children's doze of the vaccine has an orange cap-photo courtesy Pfizer" />
 <figcaption>The children's doze of the vaccine has an orange cap-photo courtesy Pfizer</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration on Friday paved the way for children ages 5 to 11 to get Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.The FDA cleared kid-size doses — just a third of the amount given to teens and adults — for emergency use, and up to 28 million more American children could be eligible for vaccinations as early as next week.One more regulatory hurdle remains: On Tuesday, advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will make more detailed recommendations on which youngsters should get vaccinated, with a final decision by the agency’s director expected shortly afterwards.“Vaccinating younger children against COVID-19 will bring us closer to returning to a sense of normalcy,” Dr. Janet Woodcock, the acting FDA commissioner, said in a statement. “Our comprehensive and rigorous evaluation of the data pertaining to the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness should help assure parents and guardians that this vaccine meets our high standards.”A few countries have begun using other COVID-19 vaccines in children under 12, including China, which just began vaccinations for 3-year-olds. But many that use the vaccine made by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech are watching the U.S. decision, and European regulators just began considering the companies’ kid-size dosesWith FDA’s action, Pfizer plans to begin shipping millions of vials of the pediatric vaccine — in orange caps to avoid mix-ups with the purple-capped doses for everyone else — to doctors’ offices, pharmacies and other vaccination sites. Once the CDC issues its ruling, eligible kids will get two shots, three weeks apart.While children are at lower risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 than older people, 5- to 11-year-olds still have been seriously affected -- including over 8,300 hospitalizations, about a third requiring intensive care, and nearly 100 deaths since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the FDA.And with the extra-contagious delta variant circulating, the government has counted more than 2,000 coronavirus-related school closings just since the start of the school year, affecting more than a million children.“With this vaccine kids can go back to something that’s better than being locked at home on remote schooling, not being able to see their friends,” said Dr. Kawsar Talaat of Johns Hopkins University. “The vaccine will protect them and also protect our communities.”Earlier this week, FDA’s independent scientific advisers voted that the pediatric vaccine’s promised benefits outweigh any risks. But several panelists said not all youngsters will need to be vaccinated, and that they preferred the shots be targeted to those at higher risk from the virus.Nearly 70% of 5- to 11-year-olds hospitalized for COVID-19 in the U.S. have other serious medical conditions, including asthma and obesity, according to federal tracking. Additionally, more than two-thirds of youngsters hospitalized are Black or Hispanic, mirroring long-standing disparities in the disease’s impact.The question of how broadly Pfizer’s vaccine should be used will be a key consideration for the CDC and its advisers, who set formal recommendations for pediatricians and other medical professionals.A Pfizer study of 2,268 schoolchildren found the vaccine was nearly 91% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 infections, based on 16 cases of COVID-19 among kids given dummy shots compared to just three who got vaccinated.The kid dosage also proved safe, with similar or fewer temporary reactions — such as sore arms, fever or achiness — that teens experience.But the study wasn’t large enough to detect any extremely rare side effects, such as the heart inflammation that occasionally occurs after the second full-strength dose, mostly in young men and teen boys. It’s unclear if younger children getting a smaller dose also will face that rare risk.Some parents are expected to vaccinate their children ahead of family holiday gatherings and the winter cold season.But a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey suggests most parents won’t rush to get the shots. About 25% of parents polled earlier this month said they would get their children vaccinated “right away.” But the remaining majority of parents were roughly split between those who said they will to wait to see how the vaccine performs and those who said they “definitely” won’t have their children vaccinated.The similarly made Moderna vaccine also is being studied in young children, and both Pfizer and Moderna also are testing shots for babies and preschoolers.___

COVID vaccine is one step closer for 5 to 11-year-old kids

ROME —President Joe Biden and Pope Francis wrapped up their meeting at the Vatican Friday. The one-on-one meeting between the world's two most notable Roman Catholics started at noon and lasted about 75 minutes, an unusually long time for an audience with the pontiff.&nbsp;

During their visit, President Biden thanked His Holiness for his advocacy for the world’s poor and those suffering from hunger, conflict, and persecution, according to a statement from the White House. He lauded Pope Francis’ leadership in fighting the climate crisis, as well as his advocacy to ensure the pandemic ends for everyone through vaccine sharing and an equitable global economic recovery.&nbsp;

 Biden says abortion did not come up in the meeting. But the president says the pontiff told him he should continue to receive Communion, despite calls from conservatives Catholics to deny Biden the sacrament over his stance on abortion. Speaking to reporters after his private audience with the pope, Biden said Francis told him “He was happy I’m a good Catholic” and that he should “keep receiving Communion.”

After an audience with His Holiness, President Biden met Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin. The President thanked Cardinal Parolin for the Vatican’s active leadership in fighting the climate crisis— both through advocacy and encouraging the climate neutrality of hundreds of Christian organizations worldwide. 

The leaders discussed efforts to rally global support for vaccinating the developing world against COVID-19. President Biden thanked the Vatican for speaking out on behalf of the wrongfully detained, including in Venezuela and Cuba. The leaders committed to continue using their voices to advocate for personal and religious freedoms world-wide, according to the White House.&nbsp;

-The Associated Press contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635514031020.png" alt="First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, President Joe Biden and Pope Francis during their Friday visit-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, President Joe Biden and Pope Francis during their Friday visit-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>ROME —President Joe Biden and Pope Francis wrapped up their meeting at the Vatican Friday. The one-on-one meeting between the world's two most notable Roman Catholics started at noon and lasted about 75 minutes, an unusually long time for an audience with the pontiff.&nbsp;During their visit, President Biden thanked His Holiness for his advocacy for the world’s poor and those suffering from hunger, conflict, and persecution, according to a statement from the White House. He lauded Pope Francis’ leadership in fighting the climate crisis, as well as his advocacy to ensure the pandemic ends for everyone through vaccine sharing and an equitable global economic recovery.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635513708354.png" alt="President Biden, a translator and Pope Francis on Friday at the Vatican-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>President Biden, a translator and Pope Francis on Friday at the Vatican-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure> Biden says abortion did not come up in the meeting. But the president says the pontiff told him he should continue to receive Communion, despite calls from conservatives Catholics to deny Biden the sacrament over his stance on abortion. Speaking to reporters after his private audience with the pope, Biden said Francis told him “He was happy I’m a good Catholic” and that he should “keep receiving Communion.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden on whether the issue of abortion came up during his meeting with Pope Francis: &quot;No, it didn&#39;t … We just talked about the fact he was happy I was a good Catholic and I should keep receiving communion.&quot;<a href="https://t.co/opHdwuWcbj">https://t.co/opHdwuWcbj</a> <a href="https://t.co/8XWTGXv3ah">pic.twitter.com/8XWTGXv3ah</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1454110513848270854?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>After an audience with His Holiness, President Biden met Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin. The President thanked Cardinal Parolin for the Vatican’s active leadership in fighting the climate crisis— both through advocacy and encouraging the climate neutrality of hundreds of Christian organizations worldwide. The leaders discussed efforts to rally global support for vaccinating the developing world against COVID-19. President Biden thanked the Vatican for speaking out on behalf of the wrongfully detained, including in Venezuela and Cuba. The leaders committed to continue using their voices to advocate for personal and religious freedoms world-wide, according to the White House.&nbsp;-The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Pres. Biden, Pope discuss Communion during lengthy meeting

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators are starting hearings on federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates with many Republicans already adamant that they violate people’s liberties and will damage the economy.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators are starting hearings on federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates with many Republicans already adamant that they violate people’s liberties and will damage the economy.The joint Committee on Government Overreach and the Impact of COVID-19 Mandates planned Friday to hear from Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s office about potential legal challenges to President Joe Biden’s rules. It also planned to take testimony from the public Friday and Saturday.Leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature formed the committee to consider ways Kansas might resist the Democratic president’s mandates, which could affect as many as 100 million people. Critics believe some workers will quit their jobs rather than get vaccinated.Some GOP conservatives pushed for lawmakers to call themselves into special session, but they didn’t get much traction toward the necessary two-thirds majorities in both chambers. Lawmakers adjourned for the year in May and aren’t set to reconvene until January.Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, has called Biden’s mandates “dictatorial edicts.” He is a committee member.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-26bace6485d88ad1ae3ef2aea60fbb65">Biden is requiring</a>&nbsp;all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly. He is mandating vaccines for government contractors and workers at health facilities that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid funds.