NEW YORK (AP) — Facebook, in the aftermath of damning testimony that its platforms harm children, will be introducing several features including prompting teens to take a break using its photo sharing app Instagram, and “nudging” teens if they are repeatedly looking at the same content that’s not conducive to their well-being.

The Menlo Park, California-based Facebook is also planning to introduce new controls for adults of teens on an optional basis so that parents or guardians can supervise what their teens are doing online. These initiatives come after Facebook announced late last month that it was pausing work on its Instagram for Kids project. But critics say the plan lacks details and they are skeptical that the new features would be effective.

The new controls were outlined on Sunday by Nick Clegg, Facebook’s vice president for global affairs, who made the rounds on various Sunday news shows including CNN’s “State of the Union” and ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” where he was grilled about Facebook’s use of algorithms as well as its role in spreading harmful misinformation ahead of the Jan. 6 Capitol riots.

“We are constantly iterating in order to improve our products,” Clegg told Dana Bash on “State of the Union” Sunday. “We cannot, with a wave of the wand, make everyone’s life perfect. What we can do is improve our products, so that our products are as safe and as enjoyable to use.”

Clegg said that Facebook has invested $13 billion over the past few years in making sure to keep the platform safe and that the company has 40,000 people working on these issues. And while Clegg said that Facebook has done its best to keep harmful content out of its platforms, he says he was open for more regulation and oversight.

“We need greater transparency,” he told CNN’s Bash. He noted that the systems that Facebook has in place should be held to account, if necessary, by regulation so that “people can match what our systems say they’re supposed to do from what actually happens.”

The flurry of interviews came after whistleblower Frances Haugen, a former data scientist with Facebook,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/facebook-haugen-congress-testimony-1daac7a76ca7bf0b0802cc46e732b51b">went before Congress last week to accuse the social media platform</a>&nbsp;of failing to make changes to Instagram after internal research showed apparent harm to some teens and of being dishonest in its public fight against hate and misinformation. Haugen’s accusations were supported by tens of thousands of pages of internal research documents she secretly copied before leaving her job in the company’s civic integrity unit.

Josh Golin, executive director of Fairplay, a watchdog for the children and media marketing industry, said that he doesn’t think introducing controls to help parents supervise teens would be effective since many teens set up secret accounts any way. He was also dubious about how effective nudging teens to take a break or move away from harmful content would be. He noted Facebook needs to show exactly how they would implement it and offer research that shows these tools are effective.

“There is tremendous reason to be skeptical,” he said. He added that regulators need to restrict what Facebook does with its algorithms.

He said he also believes that Facebook should cancel its Instagram project for kids.

When Clegg was grilled by both Bash and Stephanopoulos in separate interviews about the use of algorithms in amplifying misinformation ahead of Jan. 6 riots, he responded that if Facebook removed the algorithms people would see more, not less hate speech, and more, not less, misinformation.

Clegg told both hosts that the algorithms serve as “giant spam filters.”

Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, who chairs the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights, told Bash in a separate interview Sunday that it’s time to update children’s privacy laws and offer more transparency in the use of algorithms.

“I appreciate that he is willing to talk about things, but I believe the time for conversation is done,” said Klobuchar, referring to Clegg’s plan. “The time for action is now.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578090484280.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Facebook, in the aftermath of damning testimony that its platforms harm children, will be introducing several features including prompting teens to take a break using its photo sharing app Instagram, and “nudging” teens if they are repeatedly looking at the same content that’s not conducive to their well-being.The Menlo Park, California-based Facebook is also planning to introduce new controls for adults of teens on an optional basis so that parents or guardians can supervise what their teens are doing online. These initiatives come after Facebook announced late last month that it was pausing work on its Instagram for Kids project. But critics say the plan lacks details and they are skeptical that the new features would be effective.The new controls were outlined on Sunday by Nick Clegg, Facebook’s vice president for global affairs, who made the rounds on various Sunday news shows including CNN’s “State of the Union” and ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” where he was grilled about Facebook’s use of algorithms as well as its role in spreading harmful misinformation ahead of the Jan. 6 Capitol riots.“We are constantly iterating in order to improve our products,” Clegg told Dana Bash on “State of the Union” Sunday. “We cannot, with a wave of the wand, make everyone’s life perfect. What we can do is improve our products, so that our products are as safe and as enjoyable to use.”Clegg said that Facebook has invested $13 billion over the past few years in making sure to keep the platform safe and that the company has 40,000 people working on these issues. And while Clegg said that Facebook has done its best to keep harmful content out of its platforms, he says he was open for more regulation and oversight.“We need greater transparency,” he told CNN’s Bash. He noted that the systems that Facebook has in place should be held to account, if necessary, by regulation so that “people can match what our systems say they’re supposed to do from what actually happens.”The flurry of interviews came after whistleblower Frances Haugen, a former data scientist with Facebook,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/facebook-haugen-congress-testimony-1daac7a76ca7bf0b0802cc46e732b51b">went before Congress last week to accuse the social media platform</a>&nbsp;of failing to make changes to Instagram after internal research showed apparent harm to some teens and of being dishonest in its public fight against hate and misinformation. Haugen’s accusations were supported by tens of thousands of pages of internal research documents she secretly copied before leaving her job in the company’s civic integrity unit.Josh Golin, executive director of Fairplay, a watchdog for the children and media marketing industry, said that he doesn’t think introducing controls to help parents supervise teens would be effective since many teens set up secret accounts any way. He was also dubious about how effective nudging teens to take a break or move away from harmful content would be. He noted Facebook needs to show exactly how they would implement it and offer research that shows these tools are effective.“There is tremendous reason to be skeptical,” he said. He added that regulators need to restrict what Facebook does with its algorithms.He said he also believes that Facebook should cancel its Instagram project for kids.When Clegg was grilled by both Bash and Stephanopoulos in separate interviews about the use of algorithms in amplifying misinformation ahead of Jan. 6 riots, he responded that if Facebook removed the algorithms people would see more, not less hate speech, and more, not less, misinformation.Clegg told both hosts that the algorithms serve as “giant spam filters.”Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, who chairs the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights, told Bash in a separate interview Sunday that it’s time to update children’s privacy laws and offer more transparency in the use of algorithms.“I appreciate that he is willing to talk about things, but I believe the time for conversation is done,” said Klobuchar, referring to Clegg’s plan. “The time for action is now.”_____

Facebook unveils new controls for kids using its platforms

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 1699 to a total of 419,341, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 15 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6142.

<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 1699 to a total of 419,341, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 15 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 6142.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633972708449.png" alt="Monday Oct. 11, 2021-KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday Oct. 11, 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: Latest COVID-19 numbers in Kansas

BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes.

Just after 8:30 p.m. Saturday, sheriff's deputies responded to a location just south of Great Bend to investigate a reported sex offense involving a juvenile, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

On Sunday afternoon, deputies arrested 33-year-old Gary Smith, of Great Bend on requested charges of rape and aggravated criminal sodomy. He is being held on a&nbsp;$1 million bond, according to Bellendir.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633969738177.png" alt="Smith-photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Smith-photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes.Just after 8:30 p.m. Saturday, sheriff's deputies responded to a location just south of Great Bend to investigate a reported sex offense involving a juvenile, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.On Sunday afternoon, deputies arrested 33-year-old Gary Smith, of Great Bend on requested charges of rape and aggravated criminal sodomy. He is being held on a&nbsp;$1 million bond, according to Bellendir.

Sheriff: Kansas man jailed for alleged child sex crimes

WASHINGTON (AP) — Drugmaker Merck asked U.S. regulators Monday to authorize its pill against COVID-19 in what would add an entirely new and easy-to-use weapon to the world’s arsenal against the pandemic.

If cleared by the Food and Drug Administration — a decision that could come in a matter of weeks — it would be the first pill shown to treat COVID-19. All other FDA-backed treatments against the disease require an IV or injection.

An antiviral pill that people could take at home to reduce their symptoms and speed recovery could prove groundbreaking, easing the crushing caseload on U.S. hospitals and helping to curb outbreaks in poorer countries with weak health care systems. It would also bolster the two-pronged approach to the pandemic: treatment, by way of medication, and prevention, primarily through vaccinations.

The FDA will scrutinize company data on the safety and effectiveness of the drug, molnupiravir, before rendering a decision.

Merck and its partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutic said they specifically asked the agency to grant emergency use for adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at risk for severe disease or hospitalization. That is roughly the way COVID-19 infusion drugs are used.

“The value here is that it’s a pill so you don’t have to deal with the infusion centers and all the factors around that,” said Dr. Nicholas Kartsonis, a senior vice president with Merck’s infectious disease unit. “I think it’s a very powerful tool to add to the toolbox.”

The company reported earlier this month that the pill cut hospitalizations and deaths by half among patients with early symptoms of COVID-19. The results were so strong that independent medical experts monitoring the trial recommended stopping it early.

Side effects were similar between patients who got the drug and those in a testing group who received a dummy pill. But Merck has not publicly detailed the types of problems reported, which will be a key part of the FDA’s review.

Top U.S. health officials continue to push vaccinations as the best way to protect against COVID-19.

“It’s much, much better to prevent yourself from getting infected than to have to treat an infection,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said while discussing Merck’s drug last week.

Still, some 68 million eligible Americans remain unvaccinated, underscoring the need for effective drugs to control future waves of infection.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, health experts have stressed the need for a convenient pill. The goal is for something similar to Tamiflu, the 20-year-old flu medication that shortens the illness by a day or two and blunts the severity of symptoms like fever, cough and stuffy nose.

Three FDA-authorized antibody drugs have proved highly effective at reducing COVID-19 deaths, but they are expensive, hard to produce and require specialty equipment and health professionals to deliver.

Assuming FDA authorization, the U.S. government has agreed to buy enough of the pills to treat 1.7 million people, at a price of roughly $700 for each course of treatment. That’s less than half the price of the antibody drugs purchased by the U.S. government — over $2,000 per infusion — but still more expensive than many antiviral pills for other conditions.

Merck’s Kartsonis said in an interview that the $700 figure does not represent the final price for the medication.

“We set that price before we had any data, so that’s just one contract,” Kartsonis said. “Obviously we’re going to be responsible about this and make this drug as accessible to as many people around the world as we can.”

Kenilworth, New Jersey-based Merck has said it is in purchase talks with governments around the world and will use a sliding price scale based on each country’s economic means. Also, the company has signed licensing deals with several Indian generic drugmakers to produce low-cost versions of the drug for lower-income countries.

Several other companies, including Pfizer and Roche, are studying similar drugs and are expected to report results in the coming weeks and months. AstraZeneca is also seeking FDA authorization for a long-acting antibody drug intended to provide months of protection for patients who have immune-system disorders and do not adequately respond to vaccination.

Eventually some experts predict various COVID-19 therapies will be prescribed in combination to better protect against the worst effects of the virus.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633958564035.png" alt="Photo courtesy Merck" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Merck</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Drugmaker Merck asked U.S. regulators Monday to authorize its pill against COVID-19 in what would add an entirely new and easy-to-use weapon to the world’s arsenal against the pandemic.If cleared by the Food and Drug Administration — a decision that could come in a matter of weeks — it would be the first pill shown to treat COVID-19. All other FDA-backed treatments against the disease require an IV or injection.An antiviral pill that people could take at home to reduce their symptoms and speed recovery could prove groundbreaking, easing the crushing caseload on U.S. hospitals and helping to curb outbreaks in poorer countries with weak health care systems. It would also bolster the two-pronged approach to the pandemic: treatment, by way of medication, and prevention, primarily through vaccinations.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today, we submitted an Emergency Use Authorization application to the U.S. FDA for our investigational <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/antiviral?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#antiviral</a> treatment. Read about today’s milestone: <a href="https://t.co/BHPzfkSw4K">https://t.co/BHPzfkSw4K</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%24MRK&amp;src=ctag&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">$MRK</a> <a href="https://t.co/y5WdTQnyHL">pic.twitter.com/y5WdTQnyHL</a>&mdash; Merck (@Merck) <a href="https://twitter.com/Merck/status/1447502809679679489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The FDA will scrutinize company data on the safety and effectiveness of the drug, molnupiravir, before rendering a decision.Merck and its partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutic said they specifically asked the agency to grant emergency use for adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at risk for severe disease or hospitalization. That is roughly the way COVID-19 infusion drugs are used.“The value here is that it’s a pill so you don’t have to deal with the infusion centers and all the factors around that,” said Dr. Nicholas Kartsonis, a senior vice president with Merck’s infectious disease unit. “I think it’s a very powerful tool to add to the toolbox.”The company reported earlier this month that the pill cut hospitalizations and deaths by half among patients with early symptoms of COVID-19. The results were so strong that independent medical experts monitoring the trial recommended stopping it early.Side effects were similar between patients who got the drug and those in a testing group who received a dummy pill. But Merck has not publicly detailed the types of problems reported, which will be a key part of the FDA’s review.Top U.S. health officials continue to push vaccinations as the best way to protect against COVID-19.“It’s much, much better to prevent yourself from getting infected than to have to treat an infection,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said while discussing Merck’s drug last week.Still, some 68 million eligible Americans remain unvaccinated, underscoring the need for effective drugs to control future waves of infection.Since the beginning of the pandemic, health experts have stressed the need for a convenient pill. The goal is for something similar to Tamiflu, the 20-year-old flu medication that shortens the illness by a day or two and blunts the severity of symptoms like fever, cough and stuffy nose.Three FDA-authorized antibody drugs have proved highly effective at reducing COVID-19 deaths, but they are expensive, hard to produce and require specialty equipment and health professionals to deliver.Assuming FDA authorization, the U.S. government has agreed to buy enough of the pills to treat 1.7 million people, at a price of roughly $700 for each course of treatment. That’s less than half the price of the antibody drugs purchased by the U.S. government — over $2,000 per infusion — but still more expensive than many antiviral pills for other conditions.Merck’s Kartsonis said in an interview that the $700 figure does not represent the final price for the medication.“We set that price before we had any data, so that’s just one contract,” Kartsonis said. “Obviously we’re going to be responsible about this and make this drug as accessible to as many people around the world as we can.”Kenilworth, New Jersey-based Merck has said it is in purchase talks with governments around the world and will use a sliding price scale based on each country’s economic means. Also, the company has signed licensing deals with several Indian generic drugmakers to produce low-cost versions of the drug for lower-income countries.Several other companies, including Pfizer and Roche, are studying similar drugs and are expected to report results in the coming weeks and months. AstraZeneca is also seeking FDA authorization for a long-acting antibody drug intended to provide months of protection for patients who have immune-system disorders and do not adequately respond to vaccination.Eventually some experts predict various COVID-19 therapies will be prescribed in combination to better protect against the worst effects of the virus.___

FDA asked to authorize first pill shown to treat COVID-19

JACKSON COUNTY (AP) — An 8-year-old boy has died in an accidental shooting in suburban Kansas City over the weekend, police said.

Police in Independence said the shooting happened early Saturday morning when officer were called to a home for reports of a shooting. Arriving officers found the boy shot and later reported that the child had died of his injuries.

Police have not released the boy’s name or any details about the shooting, other than to say it appeared to have been accidental.

JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that injured a juvenile.

On Saturday morning, police responded to&nbsp;the scene of a shooting in the 1200 Block of N. Liberty in Independence, according to the police department.

Initial reports are there is one juvenile victim and it it is believed to be accidental at this time.

Police released no additional details. Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

JACKSON COUNTY (AP) — An 8-year-old boy has died in an accidental shooting in suburban Kansas City over the weekend, police said.Police in Independence said the shooting happened early Saturday morning when officer were called to a home for reports of a shooting. Arriving officers found the boy shot and later reported that the child had died of his injuries.Police have not released the boy’s name or any details about the shooting, other than to say it appeared to have been accidental.---------JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that injured a juvenile.On Saturday morning, police responded to&nbsp;the scene of a shooting in the 1200 Block of N. Liberty in Independence, according to the police department.Initial reports are there is one juvenile victim and it it is believed to be accidental at this time.Police released no additional details. Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

Update: Kansas City-area boy dies after accidental shooting 

COWETA, Okla. (AP) — Several reported tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma late Sunday into early Monday morning, causing damage but no immediate word of deaths or injuries.

The severe weather system also brought heavy rain, lightning and wind to parts of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Texas.

Tornado warnings and reports of damage popped up across Oklahoma beginning Sunday afternoon. An exact number of tornadoes that touched down was not yet available as of early Monday.

A possible tornado struck the Tulsa suburb of Coweta late Sunday causing significant damage to a high school, homes and a gas station, news outlets reported.

A hail storm earlier in the evening shattered windows and dented cars in Norman, according to news outlets. Norman is located about 20 miles&nbsp; south of Oklahoma City.

No deaths or injuries were immediately reported.

Oklahoma Gas &amp; Electric said in a statement that crews were actively working to restore power outages.

Lightning that appeared to be from the same line of storms delayed an NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and the Chiefs in Kansas City, Missouri, for about an hour Sunday night.

COWETA, Okla. (AP) — Several reported tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma late Sunday into early Monday morning, causing damage but no immediate word of deaths or injuries.The severe weather system also brought heavy rain, lightning and wind to parts of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Texas.Tornado warnings and reports of damage popped up across Oklahoma beginning Sunday afternoon. An exact number of tornadoes that touched down was not yet available as of early Monday.A possible tornado struck the Tulsa suburb of Coweta late Sunday causing significant damage to a high school, homes and a gas station, news outlets reported.A hail storm earlier in the evening shattered windows and dented cars in Norman, according to news outlets. Norman is located about 20 miles&nbsp; south of Oklahoma City.No deaths or injuries were immediately reported.Oklahoma Gas &amp; Electric said in a statement that crews were actively working to restore power outages.Lightning that appeared to be from the same line of storms delayed an NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and the Chiefs in Kansas City, Missouri, for about an hour Sunday night.

Tornadoes cause damage as storms rock central US

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged abuse that led to the death of a child.

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

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

Interviews and the examination of evidence led to the arrest of the girl's 27-year-old mother Neriah Dilley of Wichita on requested charges of felony murder and child abuse. She is being <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18813826">held on a $250,000 bond,</a> according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633901481923.png" alt="Dilley photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Dilley photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged abuse that led to the death of a child.Just after 3 p.m. Saturday, police responded to a home in the 800 block of South Mission in Wichita after report o an infant not breathing, according to Officer Charley Davidson.Upon arrival, officers located 1-year-old Myonna Townley in critical condition. EMS transported her an area hospital for medical treatment where she succumbed to her injuries. Townley was also found to have trauma on her body, according to Davidson.Interviews and the examination of evidence led to the arrest of the girl's 27-year-old mother Neriah Dilley of Wichita on requested charges of felony murder and child abuse. She is being <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18813826">held on a $250,000 bond,</a> according to online jail records.

Kan. mother accused in the abuse death her 1-year-old

MARION COUNTY—Two people died in an accident just before 5p.m. Sunday on U.S. 50 near Old Mill Road in Marion County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Chevy Silverado driven by Luke Richmeier, 18, Wichita, and a 2018 Ford Escape driven by&nbsp; Latricia A. Phillips, 49, were involved in the crash.

Phillips and a passenger in the Ford identified as Angela M. Daniels, 49, Wichita, were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to&nbsp;Yazel-Megli Funeral Home in Marion. 

EMS transported Richmeier to Newton Medical Center and a second passenger in the Ford Korey R. Woods, 36, Wichita, to KU Medical Center.

The KHP&nbsp; released no additional details as they investigate. Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

MARION COUNTY—Two people died in an accident just before 5p.m. Sunday on U.S. 50 near Old Mill Road in Marion County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Chevy Silverado driven by Luke Richmeier, 18, Wichita, and a 2018 Ford Escape driven by&nbsp; Latricia A. Phillips, 49, were involved in the crash.Phillips and a passenger in the Ford identified as Angela M. Daniels, 49, Wichita, were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to&nbsp;Yazel-Megli Funeral Home in Marion. EMS transported Richmeier to Newton Medical Center and a second passenger in the Ford Korey R. Woods, 36, Wichita, to KU Medical Center.The KHP&nbsp; released no additional details as they investigate. Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

2 Kansas women dead, 2 others hospitalized after crash

MANHATTAN— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a domestic-related shooting on Fort Riley Blvd. and have made an arrest.

Just after 10:00 a.m. Sunday, police responded to a 911 call of shots fired from one car to another while both were traveling eastbound on Fort Riley Blvd. near the Geary-Riley County Line, according to police spokesperson Aaron Wintermote.

Officers made contact with the two cars involved near the intersection of Miller Pkwy. and Fort Riley Blvd in Manhattan. They found a 33-year-old female victim, driving one of the cars, suffering from minor glass shrapnel injuries to the face. The victim was transported from the scene to Via Christi and released after treatment.

Torrey Sherard Lindsay, 37, of Manhattan, who had been driving the second car involved, allegedly shot from his car into the victim’s car. Police arrested him on a requested charge of attempted second-degree murder and he is currently being held in the Riley County Jail in lieu of bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633920083288.png" alt="Lindsay has previous convictions for making a false writing and Impairing a security interest, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Lindsay has previous convictions for making a false writing and Impairing a security interest, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a domestic-related shooting on Fort Riley Blvd. and have made an arrest.Just after 10:00 a.m. Sunday, police responded to a 911 call of shots fired from one car to another while both were traveling eastbound on Fort Riley Blvd. near the Geary-Riley County Line, according to police spokesperson Aaron Wintermote.Officers made contact with the two cars involved near the intersection of Miller Pkwy. and Fort Riley Blvd in Manhattan. They found a 33-year-old female victim, driving one of the cars, suffering from minor glass shrapnel injuries to the face. The victim was transported from the scene to Via Christi and released after treatment.Torrey Sherard Lindsay, 37, of Manhattan, who had been driving the second car involved, allegedly shot from his car into the victim’s car. Police arrested him on a requested charge of attempted second-degree murder and he is currently being held in the Riley County Jail in lieu of bond.

Police: Kansas man arrested for drive-by shooting

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to two life prison terms in the beating and stabbing deaths of a Topeka woman and her cousin. 

&nbsp;Richard Showalter, of Greenleaf, won’t be eligible for release for at least 112 years and three months under the sentences imposed Friday in Shawnee County District Court. 

He was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and aggravated burglary in the July 2018 home invasion killings of 28-year-old Lisa Sportsman and her 17-year-old cousin, Jesse Polinskey. Sportsman’s estranged husband, Bradley Sportsman, and a third man, Matthew Hutto, also have been convicted in the killings.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574611652984.png" alt="Richard Showalter photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Richard Showalter photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to two life prison terms in the beating and stabbing deaths of a Topeka woman and her cousin. &nbsp;Richard Showalter, of Greenleaf, won’t be eligible for release for at least 112 years and three months under the sentences imposed Friday in Shawnee County District Court. He was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and aggravated burglary in the July 2018 home invasion killings of 28-year-old Lisa Sportsman and her 17-year-old cousin, Jesse Polinskey. Sportsman’s estranged husband, Bradley Sportsman, and a third man, Matthew Hutto, also have been convicted in the killings.

Judge: 2 life sentences for Kan. home invasion killing

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an aggravated robbery and have made an arrest.

Just before 6 p.m., October 5, a suspect , later identified as Tyrelle D. Burk, 36, of Topeka, took items by force from a teenage girl who was walking in the area of SW 6th Avenue and SW Clay Street in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Jerry Monasmith.

 Burk displayed a knife during the robbery The teenage girl was not injured.

On Thursday, police with assistance from community members, identified and located Burk near SW 4th Street and SW Harrison Street in Topeka.

As a result, police arrested Burkand booked him into the Shawnee County Department on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery, Possession of Methamphetamine and&nbsp;&nbsp;Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633724668494.png" alt="Burk photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Burk photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an aggravated robbery and have made an arrest.Just before 6 p.m., October 5, a suspect , later identified as Tyrelle D. Burk, 36, of Topeka, took items by force from a teenage girl who was walking in the area of SW 6th Avenue and SW Clay Street in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Jerry Monasmith. Burk displayed a knife during the robbery The teenage girl was not injured.On Thursday, police with assistance from community members, identified and located Burk near SW 4th Street and SW Harrison Street in Topeka.As a result, police arrested Burkand booked him into the Shawnee County Department on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery, Possession of Methamphetamine and&nbsp;&nbsp;Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Police: Kansas man robbed teen girl at knifepoint

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Staffing shortages have gotten so bad at a Kansas prison that has been the scene of past unrest that inmates are spending more time confined to their cells, officials say.

Kansas Department of Corrections spokesperson Carol Pitts said in an email that staffing is a problem across the prison system but that the “greatest challenge” is at the El Dorado Correctional Facility.

The result is more cell time and less access to programs and activities at the maximum security prison in Butler County, she said.

The prison population has shrunk during the pandemic, and the agency has closed some housing units to reduce staff needs. The agency also has increased recruiting efforts and started a program where employees can earn extra paid leave through successful job referrals.

Corrections Department Secretary Jeff Zmuda said in a Sept. 15 memo to inmates and their families that staffing shortages “top the list of challenges we face.”

The El Dorado facility faced staffing problems before the coronavirus pandemic.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/68d606d1cb584acfbca096368874a6e3">In 2019,&nbsp;</a>Gov. Laura Kelly declared an emergency at the prison due to staffing shortages inside the facility, which had multiple inmate disturbances over the previous two years. The state declared an emergency at the prison in 2017, also because of staffing shortages.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Staffing shortages have gotten so bad at a Kansas prison that has been the scene of past unrest that inmates are spending more time confined to their cells, officials say.Kansas Department of Corrections spokesperson Carol Pitts said in an email that staffing is a problem across the prison system but that the “greatest challenge” is at the El Dorado Correctional Facility.The result is more cell time and less access to programs and activities at the maximum security prison in Butler County, she said.The prison population has shrunk during the pandemic, and the agency has closed some housing units to reduce staff needs. The agency also has increased recruiting efforts and started a program where employees can earn extra paid leave through successful job referrals.Corrections Department Secretary Jeff Zmuda said in a Sept. 15 memo to inmates and their families that staffing shortages “top the list of challenges we face.”The El Dorado facility faced staffing problems before the coronavirus pandemic.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/68d606d1cb584acfbca096368874a6e3">In 2019,&nbsp;</a>Gov. Laura Kelly declared an emergency at the prison due to staffing shortages inside the facility, which had multiple inmate disturbances over the previous two years. The state declared an emergency at the prison in 2017, also because of staffing shortages.

Inmates spend more time in cells because of staff shortages

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

On October 6, a sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1100 block of SW 10th Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

 During the investigation, deputies found illegal narcotics, including methamphetamine, and firearms. They arrested 34-year-old Stefon C. Butler and 48-year-old Beth A. Mikita both of Topeka.

They were arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. Butler is being held on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and criminal possession of a firearm. Mikita is being held on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633726681974.png" alt="Butler photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Butler photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug charges after a traffic stop.On October 6, a sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 1100 block of SW 10th Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. During the investigation, deputies found illegal narcotics, including methamphetamine, and firearms. They arrested 34-year-old Stefon C. Butler and 48-year-old Beth A. Mikita both of Topeka.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633726631159.png" alt="Mikita photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Mikita photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>They were arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. Butler is being held on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and criminal possession of a firearm. Mikita is being held on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

Kan. deputies find illegal drugs, firearms during traffic stop

SHAWNEE COUNTY—One person was injured ina fire Saturday in Topeka.

Just after 7:30p.m., fire crews responded to the fire in a single-story residential duplex at 2000 SE Echo Ridge Circle, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Firefighters located one adult male who was able to escape prior to their arrival. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.&nbsp;

A preliminary investigation indicates the fire cause to be accidental, associated with an electric dryer malfunction in unit 56. The estimated dollar loss – $90,000.00; of which $80,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $10,000.00 associated with contents loss. He unit did not have working smoke detectors, according to Harrison.

SHAWNEE COUNTY—One person was injured ina fire Saturday in Topeka.Just after 7:30p.m., fire crews responded to the fire in a single-story residential duplex at 2000 SE Echo Ridge Circle, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.&nbsp;&nbsp;Firefighters located one adult male who was able to escape prior to their arrival. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.&nbsp;A preliminary investigation indicates the fire cause to be accidental, associated with an electric dryer malfunction in unit 56. The estimated dollar loss – $90,000.00; of which $80,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $10,000.00 associated with contents loss. He unit did not have working smoke detectors, according to Harrison.

Kansas man hospitalized after escape from duplex fire

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office announce the addition of a new tool to support citizens in the community affected by trauma, mental health and crime, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick.

In conjunction with the Wichita Animal Action League (WAAL) the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is implementing a professional therapy dog program. 

Cherokee is a year old Aussie mix with beautiful brown and red fur and has a unique feature with one brown eye and one blue eye.&nbsp; She enjoys going on walks, playing with her tennis ball, and loves eating treats. 

Cherokee will assist the Sheriff's victim advocate, Brittany Richardson with supporting citizens in the community. Cherokee will also be available to all Sedgwick County Sheriff office employees to help cope with exposure of traumatic events and will support efforts aimed at increasing resiliency, health, and wellness. Cherokee will help regulate a person’s emotional state through her calm presence, regulated breathing, and touch. Cherokee’s presence will help people to feel safe while dealing with and overcoming trauma. Without the assistance of the WAAL this endeavor would not have been possible.

This program is purely funded by the generosity of our community. We are asking for the communities help today for us to cover the initial and continued cost of our new program. Donations will help cover the cost of equipment, supplies, and services necessary for the development of this new program. 

Heartland Animal Hospital in BelAire has donated hundreds of dollars in veterinarian services and helped to coordinate 6 months worth of Hills Science Diet food for Cherokee. Family Dog Training and Behavioral Center has offered a great price to provide the training Cherokee will need. 

The sheriff's office asked for help to support the heroes at the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office and the citizens of Sedgwick County with Cherokee’s love at what might be the hardest time of their lives. 

Donations are being collected by the Sedgwick County FOP Lodge 74. If you would like to make a donation to the therapy dog program please contact Brittany Richardson at 316-660-5305, Jeremy Noel at 316-660-5326, or you can donate through cashapp to Sedgwick County FOP, $SedgwickFOPKS074

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633641044665.png" alt="Cherokee is a year old Aussie mix with beautiful brown and red fur and has a unique feature with one brown eye and one blue eye.-photo Sedgwick Co. Sheriff&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Cherokee is a year old Aussie mix with beautiful brown and red fur and has a unique feature with one brown eye and one blue eye.-photo Sedgwick Co. Sheriff&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office announce the addition of a new tool to support citizens in the community affected by trauma, mental health and crime, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick.In conjunction with the Wichita Animal Action League (WAAL) the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office is implementing a professional therapy dog program. Cherokee is a year old Aussie mix with beautiful brown and red fur and has a unique feature with one brown eye and one blue eye.&nbsp; She enjoys going on walks, playing with her tennis ball, and loves eating treats. Cherokee will assist the Sheriff's victim advocate, Brittany Richardson with supporting citizens in the community. Cherokee will also be available to all Sedgwick County Sheriff office employees to help cope with exposure of traumatic events and will support efforts aimed at increasing resiliency, health, and wellness. Cherokee will help regulate a person’s emotional state through her calm presence, regulated breathing, and touch. Cherokee’s presence will help people to feel safe while dealing with and overcoming trauma. Without the assistance of the WAAL this endeavor would not have been possible.This program is purely funded by the generosity of our community. We are asking for the communities help today for us to cover the initial and continued cost of our new program. Donations will help cover the cost of equipment, supplies, and services necessary for the development of this new program. Heartland Animal Hospital in BelAire has donated hundreds of dollars in veterinarian services and helped to coordinate 6 months worth of Hills Science Diet food for Cherokee. Family Dog Training and Behavioral Center has offered a great price to provide the training Cherokee will need. The sheriff's office asked for help to support the heroes at the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office and the citizens of Sedgwick County with Cherokee’s love at what might be the hardest time of their lives. Donations are being collected by the Sedgwick County FOP Lodge 74. If you would like to make a donation to the therapy dog program please contact Brittany Richardson at 316-660-5305, Jeremy Noel at 316-660-5326, or you can donate through cashapp to Sedgwick County FOP, $SedgwickFOPKS074

Kan. sheriff's office adds therapy dog to support citizens in time of need

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/" target="_blank">Roger Marshall</a>&nbsp;won’t let people forget he’s a doctor, putting “Doc” in the letterhead of his U.S. Senate office’s news releases. But when he talks about COVID-19 vaccines, some doctors and experts say the Kansas Republican sounds far more like a politician than a physician.

He’s made statements about vaccines and immunity that defy both medical consensus and official&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html" target="_blank">U.S. government guidance.</a>&nbsp;He’s aggressively fighting President Joe Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-executive-branch-18fb12993f05be13bf760946a6fb89be">vaccine requirements</a>, arguing they’ll infringe on people’s liberties and wreck the economy. He’s acknowledged experimenting on himself with an unproven treatment for warding off the coronavirus.

Marshall’s positions are pushing the first-term senator and obstetrician closer to the medical fringe. But he has company in other GOP doctors, dentists and pharmacists in Congress, several of whom have also spread sketchy medical advice when it comes to the pandemic.

Critics say the lawmakers’ statements are dangerous and unethical, and that Marshall’s medical degree confers a perception of expertise that carries weight with constituents and other members of Congress.

“He has an enormous role to play here because he’s a doctor and a senator,” said Arthur Caplan, founder of New York University’s medical ethics division and director of a vaccine ethics program. “He bears a very powerful responsibility to get it right.”

Marshall says he is fully vaccinated and has said he’s urged his parents recently to get booster shots. He and other GOP doctors in Congress appeared in a public service campaign in April to encourage people to get vaccinated.

But that was before Biden’s vaccine mandates fired up the party’s conservative base and had activists predicting that grassroots opposition could help drive Republicans into power in Congress in 2022. It also was before schools reopened for the fall and angry parents flocked to school board meetings to protest mask mandates.

“Off-year elections are all about turning out your base,” said Gregg Keller, a St. Louis-area GOP strategist who’s worked for conservative groups and U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. “Republicans are fired up.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-5b62c8e442ea495c58ed51d9f50d7c0d">Recent polling shows&nbsp;</a>about half of Americans — just enough for a majority — favor requiring workers in large companies to get vaccinated or tested weekly.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-executive-branch-18fb12993f05be13bf760946a6fb89be">Biden also is requiring</a>&nbsp;the military, government contractors and health care workers to get vaccinated.

But perhaps crucially for Marshall and other Republicans, the polling also showed people are deeply split based on their political party. About 6 in 10 Republicans opposed the mandate for workers,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnorc.org/projects/half-support-vaccine-mandates-amidst-delta-surge/" target="_blank">according to the survey</a>&nbsp;by The Associated Press and NORC-Center for Public Affairs Research.

Marshall positioned himself as a stalwart Trump supporter in winning his Senate seat last year. The two-term congressman from western Kansas ran against a Democrat and retired Kansas City-area anesthesiologist hewing to public health orthodoxy on COVID-19.

Marshall regularly went unmasked at campaign events and said he took a weekly dose of&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/web/search/text?all=false&amp;endDate=2021-10-01T19:41:08.786Z&amp;sourceType=ap&amp;dateRangeType=archive&amp;mediaSortType=newest&amp;pagesize=10&amp;viewType=conversation&amp;keyword=%22Roger%20Marshall%22&amp;storyType=published&amp;mediatype=text&amp;startDate=2020-05-01T05:00:00.000Z&amp;pagenumber=32" target="_blank">the anti-malarial drug</a>&nbsp;hydroxychoroquine promoted by Trump. That was despite&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-malaria-donald-trump-us-news-ap-top-news-21249a99b29d7b2c8648acb1f01a9812">the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s warning</a>&nbsp;against using it to prevent a COVID-19 infection.

Marshall has since tried unsuccessfully to pass legislation that would ban vaccine mandates and bar dishonorable discharges from the military for not getting vaccinated. He argues that mandates for workers will cause them to quit or be fired, worsen supply chain problems and drive up inflation.

“Without even touching on the constitutionality of a federal mandate, I want people to realize the impact it’s going to have on the economy,” he said during a recent interview.

Late last month, he joined lawmakers pushing unsupported theories about COVID-19 immunity. He and 14 other GOP doctors, dentists and pharmacists in Congress sent a letter to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, urging the agency, when setting vaccination policies, to consider natural immunity in people who have had the virus.

The signers included Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, an ophthalmologist, and Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson, who served as doctor and medical adviser to Trump. Most are from states or districts that Trump carried by wide margins last year.

Experts agree that natural immunity arises after an infection, but the general medical consensus is that the degree of protection varies from person to person and is likely to wane over time. That’s why the CDC currently urges even those who’ve had the virus to get vaccinated. A CDC report released in August found the vaccine did boost protection among those who’ve recovered from the infection. Studies released in September showed that unvaccinated people were 11 times more likely to die than the vaccinated.

Marshall disputes that guidance. In a recent AP interview, he noted his adult children have had COVID-19 and, “I don’t think they need the vaccine on top of it.”

He argued that the issue requires more investigation: “We could get 20 scientists in here and have a two-hour discussion about it.”

Keller, the GOP consultant, said he sees a political incentive for Marshall and other lawmakers to focus on the issue of natural immunity. That challenges the Biden administration policies without attacking vaccines, Keller said.

“Smart Republicans realize that there’s a certain amount of trust in the wider electorate in the vaccine,” Keller said.

Marshall says that as a practicing obstetrician and as a local health department director, he followed the CDC’s guidance on issues such as flu shots not harming pregnant women. But he says he’s lost trust in the CDC because of mixed messages early in the pandemic about masks: “It was a tough time for the CDC. It was a tough time for all of us.”

Dr. Leanna Wen, an emergency physician and former Baltimore health commissioner, said vaccine mandates “clearly work” in containing COVID-19.

“Vaccination is what we have because the price of getting immunity through natural infection is much too high,” Wen said, adding that she fears people doing something akin to the “chicken pox parties” some parents have had for their children. “We certainly would not a policy that could lead people to choose to be infected.”

Sabrina Pass, who lives in a small town northwest of Fort Riley, Kansas, said she supports Marshall’s positions and said a candidate’s willingness to actively fight vaccine mandates will be important to her. She is a 37-year-old U.S. Department of Defense employee, the mother of two teenagers and a registered Republican. She sees protests against school mask mandates as “awesome.”

But Dr. Beth Oller, a family physician in Rooks County in northwest Kansas, said she’s frustrated because Marshall’s medical degree is one reason patients who normally trust her about everything else resist her advice to get vaccinated. Musing that “I really don’t think he’s that stupid,” she said he knows how immunity works and why people need flu shots and tetanus boosters.

“He should just be ashamed of himself,” Oller said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1630437881101.png" alt="Image from a video Senator Marshall made on the possible origin of COVID-19" />
 <figcaption>Image from a video Senator Marshall made on the possible origin of COVID-19</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNA, Associated PressTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/" target="_blank">Roger Marshall</a>&nbsp;won’t let people forget he’s a doctor, putting “Doc” in the letterhead of his U.S. Senate office’s news releases. But when he talks about COVID-19 vaccines, some doctors and experts say the Kansas Republican sounds far more like a politician than a physician.He’s made statements about vaccines and immunity that defy both medical consensus and official&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html" target="_blank">U.S. government guidance.</a>&nbsp;He’s aggressively fighting President Joe Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-executive-branch-18fb12993f05be13bf760946a6fb89be">vaccine requirements</a>, arguing they’ll infringe on people’s liberties and wreck the economy. He’s acknowledged experimenting on himself with an unproven treatment for warding off the coronavirus.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">From the earliest days of the pandemic, I praised the efforts of the Trump Administration and Operation Warp Speed to rapidly deliver the American people a safe and effective vaccine. 1/6&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1446922517592039425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Marshall’s positions are pushing the first-term senator and obstetrician closer to the medical fringe. But he has company in other GOP doctors, dentists and pharmacists in Congress, several of whom have also spread sketchy medical advice when it comes to the pandemic.Critics say the lawmakers’ statements are dangerous and unethical, and that Marshall’s medical degree confers a perception of expertise that carries weight with constituents and other members of Congress.“He has an enormous role to play here because he’s a doctor and a senator,” said Arthur Caplan, founder of New York University’s medical ethics division and director of a vaccine ethics program. “He bears a very powerful responsibility to get it right.”Marshall says he is fully vaccinated and has said he’s urged his parents recently to get booster shots. He and other GOP doctors in Congress appeared in a public service campaign in April to encourage people to get vaccinated.But that was before Biden’s vaccine mandates fired up the party’s conservative base and had activists predicting that grassroots opposition could help drive Republicans into power in Congress in 2022. It also was before schools reopened for the fall and angry parents flocked to school board meetings to protest mask mandates.“Off-year elections are all about turning out your base,” said Gregg Keller, a St. Louis-area GOP strategist who’s worked for conservative groups and U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo. “Republicans are fired up.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-business-health-5b62c8e442ea495c58ed51d9f50d7c0d">Recent polling shows&nbsp;</a>about half of Americans — just enough for a majority — favor requiring workers in large companies to get vaccinated or tested weekly.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-executive-branch-18fb12993f05be13bf760946a6fb89be">Biden also is requiring</a>&nbsp;the military, government contractors and health care workers to get vaccinated.But perhaps crucially for Marshall and other Republicans, the polling also showed people are deeply split based on their political party. About 6 in 10 Republicans opposed the mandate for workers,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnorc.org/projects/half-support-vaccine-mandates-amidst-delta-surge/" target="_blank">according to the survey</a>&nbsp;by The Associated Press and NORC-Center for Public Affairs Research.Marshall positioned himself as a stalwart Trump supporter in winning his Senate seat last year. The two-term congressman from western Kansas ran against a Democrat and retired Kansas City-area anesthesiologist hewing to public health orthodoxy on COVID-19.Marshall regularly went unmasked at campaign events and said he took a weekly dose of&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/web/search/text?all=false&amp;endDate=2021-10-01T19:41:08.786Z&amp;sourceType=ap&amp;dateRangeType=archive&amp;mediaSortType=newest&amp;pagesize=10&amp;viewType=conversation&amp;keyword=%22Roger%20Marshall%22&amp;storyType=published&amp;mediatype=text&amp;startDate=2020-05-01T05:00:00.000Z&amp;pagenumber=32" target="_blank">the anti-malarial drug</a>&nbsp;hydroxychoroquine promoted by Trump. That was despite&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-malaria-donald-trump-us-news-ap-top-news-21249a99b29d7b2c8648acb1f01a9812">the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s warning</a>&nbsp;against using it to prevent a COVID-19 infection.Marshall has since tried unsuccessfully to pass legislation that would ban vaccine mandates and bar dishonorable discharges from the military for not getting vaccinated. He argues that mandates for workers will cause them to quit or be fired, worsen supply chain problems and drive up inflation.“Without even touching on the constitutionality of a federal mandate, I want people to realize the impact it’s going to have on the economy,” he said during a recent interview.Late last month, he joined lawmakers pushing unsupported theories about COVID-19 immunity. He and 14 other GOP doctors, dentists and pharmacists in Congress sent a letter to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, urging the agency, when setting vaccination policies, to consider natural immunity in people who have had the virus.The signers included Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, an ophthalmologist, and Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson, who served as doctor and medical adviser to Trump. Most are from states or districts that Trump carried by wide margins last year.Experts agree that natural immunity arises after an infection, but the general medical consensus is that the degree of protection varies from person to person and is likely to wane over time. That’s why the CDC currently urges even those who’ve had the virus to get vaccinated. A CDC report released in August found the vaccine did boost protection among those who’ve recovered from the infection. Studies released in September showed that unvaccinated people were 11 times more likely to die than the vaccinated.Marshall disputes that guidance. In a recent AP interview, he noted his adult children have had COVID-19 and, “I don’t think they need the vaccine on top of it.”He argued that the issue requires more investigation: “We could get 20 scientists in here and have a two-hour discussion about it.”Keller, the GOP consultant, said he sees a political incentive for Marshall and other lawmakers to focus on the issue of natural immunity. That challenges the Biden administration policies without attacking vaccines, Keller said.“Smart Republicans realize that there’s a certain amount of trust in the wider electorate in the vaccine,” Keller said.Marshall says that as a practicing obstetrician and as a local health department director, he followed the CDC’s guidance on issues such as flu shots not harming pregnant women. But he says he’s lost trust in the CDC because of mixed messages early in the pandemic about masks: “It was a tough time for the CDC. It was a tough time for all of us.”Dr. Leanna Wen, an emergency physician and former Baltimore health commissioner, said vaccine mandates “clearly work” in containing COVID-19.“Vaccination is what we have because the price of getting immunity through natural infection is much too high,” Wen said, adding that she fears people doing something akin to the “chicken pox parties” some parents have had for their children. “We certainly would not a policy that could lead people to choose to be infected.”Sabrina Pass, who lives in a small town northwest of Fort Riley, Kansas, said she supports Marshall’s positions and said a candidate’s willingness to actively fight vaccine mandates will be important to her. She is a 37-year-old U.S. Department of Defense employee, the mother of two teenagers and a registered Republican. She sees protests against school mask mandates as “awesome.”But Dr. Beth Oller, a family physician in Rooks County in northwest Kansas, said she’s frustrated because Marshall’s medical degree is one reason patients who normally trust her about everything else resist her advice to get vaccinated. Musing that “I really don’t think he’s that stupid,” she said he knows how immunity works and why people need flu shots and tetanus boosters.“He should just be ashamed of himself,” Oller said.

Does GOP doc dispense sketchy medical advice on virus immunity?

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California on Saturday became the first state to say large department stores must display products like toys and toothbrushes in gender-neutral ways, a win for LGBT advocates who say the pink and blue hues of traditional marketing methods pressure children to conform to gender stereotypes.

The new law, signed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, does not outlaw traditional boys and girls sections at department stores. Instead, it says large stores must also have a gender neutral section to display “a reasonable selection” of items “regardless of whether they have been traditionally marketed for either girls or for boys.”

That does not include clothes. The law only applies to toys and “childcare items,” which include hygiene and teething products. And it only applies to stores with at least 500 employees, meaning small businesses are exempt.

Assemblyman Evan Low, a Democrat from San Jose who authored the bill, said he was “incredibly grateful” Newsom signed the bill this year — the third time Democrats in the state Legislature have tried to pass this law, with similar bills failing in 2019 and 2020.

Low said he was inspired by the 10-year-old girl daughter of one of his staffers, who asked her mom why certain items in the store were “off limits” to her because she was a girl.

“We need to stop stigmatizing what’s acceptable for certain genders and just let kids be kids,” Low said. “My hope is this bill encourages more businesses across California and the U.S. to avoid reinforcing harmful and outdated stereotypes.”

While California is the first state to require this, some large department stores have already changed how they display their products. Target Corp., with 1,915 stores across the United States, announced in 2015 it would stop using some gender-based signs in its stores.

The law was opposed by some Republicans and some conservative groups, who argued the government should not tell parents how to shop for their children.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633829886339.png" alt="The new law, signed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, does not outlaw traditional boys and girls sections at department stores-photo office of governor." />
 <figcaption>The new law, signed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, does not outlaw traditional boys and girls sections at department stores-photo office of governor.</figcaption>
 </figure>SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California on Saturday became the first state to say large department stores must display products like toys and toothbrushes in gender-neutral ways, a win for LGBT advocates who say the pink and blue hues of traditional marketing methods pressure children to conform to gender stereotypes.The new law, signed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, does not outlaw traditional boys and girls sections at department stores. Instead, it says large stores must also have a gender neutral section to display “a reasonable selection” of items “regardless of whether they have been traditionally marketed for either girls or for boys.”That does not include clothes. The law only applies to toys and “childcare items,” which include hygiene and teething products. And it only applies to stores with at least 500 employees, meaning small businesses are exempt.Assemblyman Evan Low, a Democrat from San Jose who authored the bill, said he was “incredibly grateful” Newsom signed the bill this year — the third time Democrats in the state Legislature have tried to pass this law, with similar bills failing in 2019 and 2020.Low said he was inspired by the 10-year-old girl daughter of one of his staffers, who asked her mom why certain items in the store were “off limits” to her because she was a girl.“We need to stop stigmatizing what’s acceptable for certain genders and just let kids be kids,” Low said. “My hope is this bill encourages more businesses across California and the U.S. to avoid reinforcing harmful and outdated stereotypes.”While California is the first state to require this, some large department stores have already changed how they display their products. Target Corp., with 1,915 stores across the United States, announced in 2015 it would stop using some gender-based signs in its stores.The law was opposed by some Republicans and some conservative groups, who argued the government should not tell parents how to shop for their children.

First state requires gender-neutral area in some stores

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — Prosecutors in northeastern Kansas say a high school choir director in Overland Park has been charged with two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and two counts of breach of privacy. The Johnson County District Attorney's Office says it charged 45-year-old Joseph Martin Heidesch on Thursday following his arrest Wednesday morning. 

Investigators say the Saint Thomas Aquinas High School choir director was found with images of a child engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Officials also say he used a hidden camera to secretly record two victims as they were undressing. 

Investigators say the incidents happened between 2019 through September of this year. The school says Heidesch has been placed on administrative leave.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633697868762.png" alt="Heidesch photo Johnson Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Heidesch photo Johnson Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — Prosecutors in northeastern Kansas say a high school choir director in Overland Park has been charged with two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and two counts of breach of privacy. The Johnson County District Attorney's Office says it charged 45-year-old Joseph Martin Heidesch on Thursday following his arrest Wednesday morning. Investigators say the Saint Thomas Aquinas High School choir director was found with images of a child engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Officials also say he used a hidden camera to secretly record two victims as they were undressing. Investigators say the incidents happened between 2019 through September of this year. The school says Heidesch has been placed on administrative leave.

Child sex crime: Kan. high school choir director used hidden camera 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A woman accused in a fatal shooting at a hotel in Wichita made her first court appearance Friday.

Shae Roberts, 35 of Wichita, is charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder and attempted distribution of methamphetamine, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

 Her bond is $500,000.&nbsp; Her next court date is 10/14/21.

On Thursday, police arrested Roberts&nbsp; in connection with the Sept. 30 shooting death of Michael Martinez at the Extended State America,&nbsp;9450 E Corporate Hills, in Wichita.

Just before 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30, police responded to a shooting call at the hotel, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located 42-year-old Michael Martinez of Wichita who had been shot.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene.&nbsp;

Investigators learned 31-year-old Patricio Gomez and a woman later identified as Roberts arrived at the hotel regarding an illegal drug transaction.&nbsp; During the transaction, a disturbance ensued and Gomez fired multiple shots at Martinez, striking him.&nbsp; Gomez and the Roberts fled the scene in a black Cadillac Escalade.

On Oct. 1, police located the Cadillac outside of a hotel in Park City.&nbsp; Due to the violent past of the suspect and the violent incident on Thursday, the WPD SWAT team and crisis negotiators responded to assist.&nbsp; At the hotel, two individuals were contacted.&nbsp; Gomez was not at the location.&nbsp; The suspect vehicle was recovered.&nbsp;&nbsp;

If you know the whereabouts of Gomez or see him, please call 911.&nbsp; He should be considered armed and dangerous.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633727826097.png" alt="Roberts photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Roberts photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A woman accused in a fatal shooting at a hotel in Wichita made her first court appearance Friday.Shae Roberts, 35 of Wichita, is charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder and attempted distribution of methamphetamine, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. Her bond is $500,000.&nbsp; Her next court date is 10/14/21.On Thursday, police arrested Roberts&nbsp; in connection with the Sept. 30 shooting death of Michael Martinez at the Extended State America,&nbsp;9450 E Corporate Hills, in Wichita.Just before 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30, police responded to a shooting call at the hotel, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located 42-year-old Michael Martinez of Wichita who had been shot.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased on the scene.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633117408445.png" alt="Gomez should be considered armed and dangerous, according to police." />
 <figcaption>Gomez should be considered armed and dangerous, according to police.</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators learned 31-year-old Patricio Gomez and a woman later identified as Roberts arrived at the hotel regarding an illegal drug transaction.&nbsp; During the transaction, a disturbance ensued and Gomez fired multiple shots at Martinez, striking him.&nbsp; Gomez and the Roberts fled the scene in a black Cadillac Escalade.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633117696289.png" alt="Police outside a hotel in Park City on Friday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police outside a hotel in Park City on Friday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>On Oct. 1, police located the Cadillac outside of a hotel in Park City.&nbsp; Due to the violent past of the suspect and the violent incident on Thursday, the WPD SWAT team and crisis negotiators responded to assist.&nbsp; At the hotel, two individuals were contacted.&nbsp; Gomez was not at the location.&nbsp; The suspect vehicle was recovered.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you know the whereabouts of Gomez or see him, please call 911.&nbsp; He should be considered armed and dangerous.

Woman charged, 2nd suspect at large in fatal Kan. drug deal killing 

SUMNER COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 1p.m. Saturday in Sumner County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Nissan Sentra driven by Sanjuana&nbsp;Villarreal De Mendoza, 64, Pharr, Texas,&nbsp;was southbound on U.S. 81 just south 100th Avenue North.

The Nissan traveled off the roadway, struck a culvert, rolled and came to rest in the tree line on the west side of the roadway. A passenger identified as Irene&nbsp;Vazquez De Salinas, 55, Pharr, Texas, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Cornejo Funeral Home.

The driver and two 18-year-old passengers were not transported for treatment of minor injuries. All four were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

SUMNER COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 1p.m. Saturday in Sumner County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Nissan Sentra driven by Sanjuana&nbsp;Villarreal De Mendoza, 64, Pharr, Texas,&nbsp;was southbound on U.S. 81 just south 100th Avenue North.The Nissan traveled off the roadway, struck a culvert, rolled and came to rest in the tree line on the west side of the roadway. A passenger identified as Irene&nbsp;Vazquez De Salinas, 55, Pharr, Texas, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Cornejo Funeral Home.The driver and two 18-year-old passengers were not transported for treatment of minor injuries. All four were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Woman dies after rollover crash on Kansas highway

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating theft of a stolen SUV have made an arrest.

Just after 11:30a.m. Thursday, police responded to Heritage at Hawthorne Apartments, 715 N. Ninth Street in Salina for the report of someone sleeping in a vehicle, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester 

Upon arrival, the officer recognized the vehicle as possibly being a 2017 Buick Enclave belonging to a Salina man that was stolen from an open garage in the 900 block of Twin Oaks Drive earlier this week.

The license plate on the Enclave, however, was registered to a Buick Envision belonging to a 62-year-old Salina man, according to Forrester.

Police found Jacob Hewitt, 23, of Salina in the Enclave. They arrested him and reportedly found Methamphetamine in his pocket when he was searched.

Hewitt is being held on requested charges of Felony possession of stolen property, Possession of a controlled substance, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Theft.

When the officer made contact with the Salina woman concerning the stolen license plate, it was discovered that the license plate currently on her Envision was the one registered to the stolen Enclave, according to Forrester. She told police that the switch could have been made either at her east Salina residence or at Kansas Wesleyan University, where she works.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633707957267.png" alt="&nbsp;Hewitt has a previous drug conviction, according to the Kansas Dpt. of Corrections -photo Saline County&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Hewitt has a previous drug conviction, according to the Kansas Dpt. of Corrections -photo Saline County&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating theft of a stolen SUV have made an arrest.Just after 11:30a.m. Thursday, police responded to Heritage at Hawthorne Apartments, 715 N. Ninth Street in Salina for the report of someone sleeping in a vehicle, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester Upon arrival, the officer recognized the vehicle as possibly being a 2017 Buick Enclave belonging to a Salina man that was stolen from an open garage in the 900 block of Twin Oaks Drive earlier this week.The license plate on the Enclave, however, was registered to a Buick Envision belonging to a 62-year-old Salina man, according to Forrester.Police found Jacob Hewitt, 23, of Salina in the Enclave. They arrested him and reportedly found Methamphetamine in his pocket when he was searched.Hewitt is being held on requested charges of Felony possession of stolen property, Possession of a controlled substance, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Theft.When the officer made contact with the Salina woman concerning the stolen license plate, it was discovered that the license plate currently on her Envision was the one registered to the stolen Enclave, according to Forrester. She told police that the switch could have been made either at her east Salina residence or at Kansas Wesleyan University, where she works.

Police find Kansas felon sleeping in stolen SUV

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal appeals court Friday night quickly allowed Texas to resume banning most abortions, just one day after clinics began racing to serve patients again for the first time since early September.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/9/1569156934026.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal appeals court Friday night quickly allowed Texas to resume banning most abortions, just one day after clinics began racing to serve patients again for the first time since early September.A one-page order by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the nation’s strictest abortion law, which bans abortions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-laws-government-and-politics-health-77c9ba98c4f4ab46fdbd5bcc47b5b938">once cardiac activity is detected</a>, usually around six weeks. It makes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-texas-courts-dallas-ac56b654f88471753b22e19587956c29">no exceptions in cases of rape or incest</a>.“Patients are being thrown back into a state of chaos and fear,” said Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, which represents several Texas clinics that had briefly resumed normal abortion services.She called on the U.S. Supreme Court to “step in and stop this madness.”Clinics had braced for the New Orleans-based appeals court to act fast after U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman, an appointee of President Barack Obama, on Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-business-texas-courts-5eb085acee67615da3623212953220c9">suspended the Texas law</a>&nbsp;that he called an “offensive deprivation” of the constitutional right to an abortion. Knowing that order might not stand long, a handful of Texas clinics immediately started performing abortions again beyond six weeks, and booked new appointments for this weekend.But barely 48 hours passed before the appeals court accepted Texas’ request to set aside Pitman’s ruling — at least for now — pending further arguments. It gave the Biden administration,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-abortion-law-court-a7961b629e913e1008f8e929c99fb310">which had brought the lawsuit</a>, until Tuesday to respond.“Great news tonight,” Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton tweeted. “I will fight federal overreach at every turn.”Texas had roughly two dozen abortion clinics before the law took effect Sept. 1. During the brief period the law was on hold, many Texas physicians remained unwilling to perform abortions, fearful that doing so could still leave them in legal jeopardy.The new law threatens Texas abortion providers with lawsuits from private citizens, who are entitled to collect at least $10,000 in damages if successful. That novel approach to enforcement is the reason why Texas had been able to evade an earlier wave of legal challenges prior to this week.The 5th circuit appeals court had already once allowed the law to take effect in September, and stepped in this time only hours after Paxton’s office urged them to act.His office&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21081018-sb-8-state-appeal" target="_blank">told the court</a>&nbsp;that since the state does not enforce the law, it cannot “be held responsible for the filings of private citizens that Texas is powerless to prevent.”It is unclear how many abortions Texas clinics performed in the short time the law was put on hold. On Thursday, at least six abortions providers had resumed normal services or were gearing up to do so, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.Prior to Pitman’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21079947-pitman-order" target="_blank">blistering 113-page order</a>, other courts had declined to stop the law, which bans abortions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-texas-courts-dallas-ac56b654f88471753b22e19587956c29">before some women even know they are pregnant</a>. That includes the Supreme Court, which allowed it to move forward in September without ruling on its constitutionality.One of the first providers to resume normal services this week was Whole Woman’s Health, which operates four clinics in Texas.Amy Hagstrom Miller, president of Whole Woman’s Health, said her clinics called in some patients early Thursday who were on a list in case the law was blocked at some point. Other appointments were in the process of being scheduled for the days ahead, and phone lines were again busy. But some of the clinics’ 17 physicians were still declining to perform abortions because of the legal risk.Pitman’s order had amounted to the first legal blow to the law known as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-abortion-business-lawsuits-laws-8690c15ea5de5c6ed695003b7a533cb1">Senate Bill 8</a>. In the weeks since the restrictions took effect, Texas abortion providers said the impact had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-courts-laws-e456aeea9fcd2dd86723cf915429e594">“exactly what we feared.”</a>Planned Parenthood says the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-lifestyle-health-travel-texas-fbc505c3db4a08af51ba409a91ea161c">number of patients</a>&nbsp;from Texas at its clinics in the state decreased by nearly 80% in the two weeks after the law took effect. Some providers have said Texas clinics are now in danger of closing while neighboring states struggle to keep up with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/in-state-wire-abortion-or-state-wire-il-state-wire-mo-state-wire-4ced42150e3348328296e28559c2143b">surge of patients</a>&nbsp;who must drive hundreds of miles for an abortion.Other women, they say, are being forced to carry pregnancies to term.How many abortions have been performed in Texas since the law took effect is unknown.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/records-statistics/data-statistics/itop-statistics" target="_blank">State health officials say</a>&nbsp;additional reporting requirements under the law will not make September data available on its website until early next year.A 1992 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court prevented states from banning abortion before viability, the point at which a fetus can survive outside the womb, around 24 weeks of pregnancy. But Texas’ version has so far outmaneuvered the courts because it leaves enforcement to private citizens to file suits, not prosecutors, which critics say amounts to a bounty.“This is an answered prayer,” said Kimberlyn Schwartz, spokeswoman for Texas Right to Life, the state’s largest anti-abortion group.___