KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City man was charged Monday with killing the mother of their children during an argument.

Christopher Sears, 33, was also charged with armed criminal action in the death of Andrea Dean, 32, who was found dead at her home on Sunday.

Charging documents said three juvenile children in the home told police their father shot their mother in the head while they argued. The children ran to a neighbor's home for help.

Hours after the shooting, Sears went to a fire station and told firefighters he had shot the mother of his children, according to a probable cause statement.

In a later interview with police, he said the couple was arguing when they fought over the gun. He said the gun went off and when he got control of it, he shot Dean in the head, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors recommended a $250,000 bond for Sears. He does not yet have an attorney, according to online court records.

Dean's death marked the 68th homicide this year in Kansas City. The city set a record for homicides in 2020 with 182.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623752932882.png" alt="Spears photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Spears photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City man was charged Monday with killing the mother of their children during an argument.Christopher Sears, 33, was also charged with armed criminal action in the death of Andrea Dean, 32, who was found dead at her home on Sunday.Charging documents said three juvenile children in the home told police their father shot their mother in the head while they argued. The children ran to a neighbor's home for help.Hours after the shooting, Sears went to a fire station and told firefighters he had shot the mother of his children, according to a probable cause statement.In a later interview with police, he said the couple was arguing when they fought over the gun. He said the gun went off and when he got control of it, he shot Dean in the head, prosecutors said.Prosecutors recommended a $250,000 bond for Sears. He does not yet have an attorney, according to online court records.Dean's death marked the 68th homicide this year in Kansas City. The city set a record for homicides in 2020 with 182.

Kansas City woman shot in the head in front of her children

HUTCHINSON — A Kansas man facing several charges including kidnapping is due back in a Reno County courtroom Wednesday on a motion to have his attorney removed from the case.&nbsp;

Charges against 56-year-old Thomas Lee Boyd of Hutchinson include one count of kidnapping and one count of stalking. The charges stem from an incident involving a Hutchison woman after following her in her vehicle then confronting her May 9.

Depending on his past criminal history, he could be facing as many as 20 years in prison if he is tried and convicted of the kidnapping charge.

Boyd is still being held in the Reno County Correctional Facility on a bond of $226,100. His hearing is set for 1 p.m. in front of Judge Keith Schroeder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623703695172.jpeg" alt="Boyd has previous convictions for indent liberties with a child, battery, aggravated battery, violation of a protection order of abuse, obstruction and drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections -photo Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>Boyd has previous convictions for indent liberties with a child, battery, aggravated battery, violation of a protection order of abuse, obstruction and drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections -photo Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON — A Kansas man facing several charges including kidnapping is due back in a Reno County courtroom Wednesday on a motion to have his attorney removed from the case.&nbsp;Charges against 56-year-old Thomas Lee Boyd of Hutchinson include one count of kidnapping and one count of stalking. The charges stem from an incident involving a Hutchison woman after following her in her vehicle then confronting her May 9.Depending on his past criminal history, he could be facing as many as 20 years in prison if he is tried and convicted of the kidnapping charge.Boyd is still being held in the Reno County Correctional Facility on a bond of $226,100. His hearing is set for 1 p.m. in front of Judge Keith Schroeder.

Kan. man with history of crime to appear in court for stalking

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson enacted a new law Tuesday limiting the duration of local public health restrictions and barring governments from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination to use public facilities and transportation.

The law took effect immediately upon Parson's signature, but it may have little immediate effect because most local officials already lifted their coronavirus restrictions on businesses and public gatherings and have not been checking people's vaccination status.

Parson, a Republican, said the law still is important for the future.

“Then next time we do get in a crisis, we're going to have a little bit more safeguards for the general public to make sure they have more transparency and more of a voice in the process,” he said.

When under a statewide emergency declaration, the new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills211/hlrbillspdf/0195H.08T.pdf">law</a>&nbsp;limits local orders restricting businesses, churches, schools or gatherings to 30 days, unless extended by a majority vote of the local governing body such as the city council. If there is no state emergency declaration, then local orders closing entire classifications of entities or activities could last for only 21 days, unless extended by a two-thirds vote of the local governing body.

The law also lets local governing bodies halt public health orders at any time by a majority vote and prohibits cities and counties that receive public funds from requiring vaccination proof.

The Republican-led House and Senate passed the bill overwhelmingly during the legislative session that ended in May. The measure was driven by lawmakers upset that some local officials — primarily in the state's more populated areas — kept coronavirus capacity limits in place long after Parson lifted statewide restrictions in May 2020.

“When this pandemic occurred, there was overreach on the local levels,” Parson said.

Parson never imposed a mask mandate, though he encouraged people to wear them. Some local officials kept mask mandates in place until the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last month that fully vaccinated people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-masks-cdc-guidelines-9d10c8b5f80a4ac720fa1df2a4fb93e5">no longer needed to wear masks</a>&nbsp;in most settings.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rochelle-walensky-coronavirus-pandemic-fe2e65c19506b99ebdb8f1e0badc846b">Research has found&nbsp;</a>that mask mandates and limits on group activities such as indoor dining can help slow the spread of the coronavirus. But states with greater government-imposed restrictions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-health-health-florida-coronavirus-pandemic-ron-desantis-889df3826d4da96447b329f524c33047">did not always fare better</a>&nbsp;than states with fewer restrictions during the long course of the pandemic.

As vaccination rates have increased and coronavirus caseloads have decreased, most state and local officials have lifted restrictions. As of Tuesday, more than a dozen states had announced an end to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-joe-biden-coronavirus-pandemic-health-1ecc111678cba61d78b7017e749e66c2">their COVID-19 emergency declarations</a>, including neighboring Arkansas and Oklahoma. Kansas' top Republican lawmakers, whose approval is needed for emergency extensions, also let Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-ks-state-wire-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-health-7302d46eef675734fe1343f2640236f9">emergency declaration expire</a>&nbsp;Tuesday.

Parson's emergency declaration is scheduled to run through Aug. 31. He said the order has allowed his administration to waive about 600 regulations during the pandemic. Parson said he has considered ending the emergency declaration but has continued it to help facilitate an economic recovery and to be able to mobilize the National Guard if necessary.

Some states are offering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-coronavirus-pandemic-government-and-politics-health-7bf8deb0e195f324b3e008b5ef7e3a39">large cash prizes</a>&nbsp;and free college tuition as incentives for people to get vaccinated. Parson said he is reluctant to offer similar perks — even though Missouri's vaccination rate is lower than the national average.

“I get the whole theory behind it, but I think as government you've got to be careful when you start doing things like that — that pattern you set,” he said,.

Missouri has been without a permanent director of its health department since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-government-and-politics-michael-brown-coronavirus-39299321bc2a13119b1c838d7776f6a2">Randall Williams resigned&nbsp;</a>in April. Parson said he has winnowed the search for a replacement to four or five candidates and is weighing whether it's most important to have someone with a medical background or administrative expertise.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623796947629.png" alt="The law took effect immediately upon Gov. Mike Parson's signature, but it may have little immediate effect because most local officials already lifted their coronavirus restrictions on businesses and public gatherings and have not been checking people's vaccination status." />
 <figcaption>The law took effect immediately upon Gov. Mike Parson's signature, but it may have little immediate effect because most local officials already lifted their coronavirus restrictions on businesses and public gatherings and have not been checking people's vaccination status.</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Mike Parson enacted a new law Tuesday limiting the duration of local public health restrictions and barring governments from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination to use public facilities and transportation.The law took effect immediately upon Parson's signature, but it may have little immediate effect because most local officials already lifted their coronavirus restrictions on businesses and public gatherings and have not been checking people's vaccination status.Parson, a Republican, said the law still is important for the future.“Then next time we do get in a crisis, we're going to have a little bit more safeguards for the general public to make sure they have more transparency and more of a voice in the process,” he said.When under a statewide emergency declaration, the new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills211/hlrbillspdf/0195H.08T.pdf">law</a>&nbsp;limits local orders restricting businesses, churches, schools or gatherings to 30 days, unless extended by a majority vote of the local governing body such as the city council. If there is no state emergency declaration, then local orders closing entire classifications of entities or activities could last for only 21 days, unless extended by a two-thirds vote of the local governing body.The law also lets local governing bodies halt public health orders at any time by a majority vote and prohibits cities and counties that receive public funds from requiring vaccination proof.The Republican-led House and Senate passed the bill overwhelmingly during the legislative session that ended in May. The measure was driven by lawmakers upset that some local officials — primarily in the state's more populated areas — kept coronavirus capacity limits in place long after Parson lifted statewide restrictions in May 2020.“When this pandemic occurred, there was overreach on the local levels,” Parson said.Parson never imposed a mask mandate, though he encouraged people to wear them. Some local officials kept mask mandates in place until the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last month that fully vaccinated people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-masks-cdc-guidelines-9d10c8b5f80a4ac720fa1df2a4fb93e5">no longer needed to wear masks</a>&nbsp;in most settings.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rochelle-walensky-coronavirus-pandemic-fe2e65c19506b99ebdb8f1e0badc846b">Research has found&nbsp;</a>that mask mandates and limits on group activities such as indoor dining can help slow the spread of the coronavirus. But states with greater government-imposed restrictions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-health-health-florida-coronavirus-pandemic-ron-desantis-889df3826d4da96447b329f524c33047">did not always fare better</a>&nbsp;than states with fewer restrictions during the long course of the pandemic.As vaccination rates have increased and coronavirus caseloads have decreased, most state and local officials have lifted restrictions. As of Tuesday, more than a dozen states had announced an end to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-joe-biden-coronavirus-pandemic-health-1ecc111678cba61d78b7017e749e66c2">their COVID-19 emergency declarations</a>, including neighboring Arkansas and Oklahoma. Kansas' top Republican lawmakers, whose approval is needed for emergency extensions, also let Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-ks-state-wire-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-health-7302d46eef675734fe1343f2640236f9">emergency declaration expire</a>&nbsp;Tuesday.Parson's emergency declaration is scheduled to run through Aug. 31. He said the order has allowed his administration to waive about 600 regulations during the pandemic. Parson said he has considered ending the emergency declaration but has continued it to help facilitate an economic recovery and to be able to mobilize the National Guard if necessary.Some states are offering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-coronavirus-pandemic-government-and-politics-health-7bf8deb0e195f324b3e008b5ef7e3a39">large cash prizes</a>&nbsp;and free college tuition as incentives for people to get vaccinated. Parson said he is reluctant to offer similar perks — even though Missouri's vaccination rate is lower than the national average.“I get the whole theory behind it, but I think as government you've got to be careful when you start doing things like that — that pattern you set,” he said,.Missouri has been without a permanent director of its health department since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-government-and-politics-michael-brown-coronavirus-39299321bc2a13119b1c838d7776f6a2">Randall Williams resigned&nbsp;</a>in April. Parson said he has winnowed the search for a replacement to four or five candidates and is weighing whether it's most important to have someone with a medical background or administrative expertise.

New Missouri law limits length of public health restrictions

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a woman they suspect of setting another woman on fire and hitting the victim in the face as another person tried to put out the flames in jail on multiple charges after an arrest late Monday.

Just after 4:30 a.m. Monday, police were called to North 15th Street in Council Bluffs and found a woman identified as Christine Weilage with severe burns outside a homeless services center, according to a media release. EMS transported the victim to a hospital in Omaha&nbsp;for treatment.

An investigation found that the victim was involved in a disturbance with the suspect identified as 37-year-old Lindsey Maves who sprayed the victim with a flammable substance and lit her on fire.

Maves then hit the victim in the face with something as a witness tried to put out the flames and fled the scene. Police located her late Monday afternoon, brought her in for questioning and later arrested her on requested charges of attempted murder, arson and willful injury, according to a media release.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa —Law enforcement authorities in western Iowa are investigating a woman they suspect of setting another woman on fire and hitting the victim in the face as another person tried to put out the flames.

Maves then hit the victim in the face with something as a witness tried to put out the flames and fled the scene. Police located her late Monday afternoon and brought her in for questioning. Police are treating the incident as an attempted murder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623754087247.png" alt="Maves photo Pottawatomie County" />
 <figcaption>Maves photo Pottawatomie County</figcaption>
 </figure>COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a woman they suspect of setting another woman on fire and hitting the victim in the face as another person tried to put out the flames in jail on multiple charges after an arrest late Monday.Just after 4:30 a.m. Monday, police were called to North 15th Street in Council Bluffs and found a woman identified as Christine Weilage with severe burns outside a homeless services center, according to a media release. EMS transported the victim to a hospital in Omaha&nbsp;for treatment.An investigation found that the victim was involved in a disturbance with the suspect identified as 37-year-old Lindsey Maves who sprayed the victim with a flammable substance and lit her on fire.Maves then hit the victim in the face with something as a witness tried to put out the flames and fled the scene. Police located her late Monday afternoon, brought her in for questioning and later arrested her on requested charges of attempted murder, arson and willful injury, according to a media release.---------------COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa —Law enforcement authorities in western Iowa are investigating a woman they suspect of setting another woman on fire and hitting the victim in the face as another person tried to put out the flames.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623688227978.png" alt="Maves photo Council Bluffs Police" />
 <figcaption>Maves photo Council Bluffs Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 4:30 a.m. Monday, police were called to North 15th Street in Council Bluffs and found a woman identified as Christine Weilage with severe burns outside a homeless services center, according to a media release. EMS transported the victim to a hospital in Omaha&nbsp;for treatment.An investigation found that the victim was involved in a disturbance with the suspect identified as 37-year-old Lindsey Maves who sprayed the victim with a flammable substance and lit her on fire.Maves then hit the victim in the face with something as a witness tried to put out the flames and fled the scene. Police located her late Monday afternoon and brought her in for questioning. Police are treating the incident as an attempted murder.

Update: Woman accused of setting another woman on fire 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Wichita Police officer on several allegations.

The Sedgwick County District Attorney has charged Wichita Police Department Officer Thomas Wallace on one count of sexual exploitation of a child, according to police department spokesman Officer Charley Davidson.

The District Attorney is also considering charges of stalking against Wallace.

Wichita Police officials learned of Wallace possibly stalking a woman known to him, stemming from an investigation by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office that began late last year concerning another Wichita Police Department employee. 

The investigation into these allegations led to his arrest in February and the current charges, according to Davidson.

Wallace has been employed with WPD for five years and was placed on unpaid administrative leave Tuesday, pending the outcome of the criminal and internal investigation.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Authorities are investigating a report of alleged stalking and have arrested a police officer.&nbsp;

On Friday afternoon authorities booked Wichita Police Department Officer Thomas Wallace into the Sedgwick County Jail on two counts of misdemeanor stalking, according to police spokesman officer Charley Davidson.

Officials learned of Wallace possibly stalking a woman known to him, stemming from an investigation by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) that began late last year concerning another Wichita police department employee.&nbsp; 

The sheriff's office investigated in order to avoid conflicts of interest.&nbsp;

Wallace has been employed with WPD for five years and was placed on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of the criminal and internal investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612615648257.png" alt="Wallace Sedgwick County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Wallace Sedgwick County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Wichita Police officer on several allegations.The Sedgwick County District Attorney has charged Wichita Police Department Officer Thomas Wallace on one count of sexual exploitation of a child, according to police department spokesman Officer Charley Davidson.The District Attorney is also considering charges of stalking against Wallace.Wichita Police officials learned of Wallace possibly stalking a woman known to him, stemming from an investigation by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office that began late last year concerning another Wichita Police Department employee. The investigation into these allegations led to his arrest in February and the current charges, according to Davidson.Wallace has been employed with WPD for five years and was placed on unpaid administrative leave Tuesday, pending the outcome of the criminal and internal investigation.------------SEDGWICK COUNTY—Authorities are investigating a report of alleged stalking and have arrested a police officer.&nbsp;On Friday afternoon authorities booked Wichita Police Department Officer Thomas Wallace into the Sedgwick County Jail on two counts of misdemeanor stalking, according to police spokesman officer Charley Davidson.Officials learned of Wallace possibly stalking a woman known to him, stemming from an investigation by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) that began late last year concerning another Wichita police department employee.&nbsp; The sheriff's office investigated in order to avoid conflicts of interest.&nbsp;Wallace has been employed with WPD for five years and was placed on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of the criminal and internal investigation.

Kan. police officer arrested in Feb., charged with child sex crime

<a href="https://hosted.ap.org/semissourian/article/b6b0a700755b14f031e2111776be434a/utilitys-green-energy-plan-fuels-debate-kansas-missouri#">By JOHN HANNA</a>

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas' largest electric company expects to make its first big investments in solar energy over the next three years and promises zero net carbon emissions in 2045.

Environmentalists don’t think Evergy is moving quickly enough. Conversely, other critics worry that its plans could make electricity more costly and less reliable.

Evergy outlined its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.evergy.com/-/media/documents/smart-energy/evergy-2021-irp-overview.pdf?la=en">long-term plan</a>&nbsp;in recent weeks for regulators in Kansas, where the company has about 1 million customers, and Missouri, where it has an additional 600,000. The plan is inspiring a debate about climate change, electric rates and promoting social justice through energy policy.

It's the first time a Kansas utility has filed such a plan with state regulators, and Evergy promises to update it every three years. Utilities across the U.S. and investors increasingly see green initiatives as good for companies' bottom lines as well as the environment.

“Most utilities see the handwriting on the wall,” said Lisa Frantzis, senior managing director for Advanced Energy Economy, a national association for clean-energy technology firms. “The customers — their ratepayers — are requiring it and we're even seeing even more and more pressure from financial institutions."

Eighteen states have a goal to generate all their power from renewable or clean sources by 2050, as do utilities such as Arizona Public Service and Duke Energy, according to Advanced Energy Economy.

Evergy would shut down nearly three-quarters of its coal-fired generating capacity by 2039, starting with a plant in Lawrence by 2023. Its capacity to generate power from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-environment-kansas-utilities-energy-industry-9a959204c49da95beefe23bcf2ab9244">wind farms</a>&nbsp;would increase by 23% by 2026.

Evergy has almost no solar power now, but solar farms would provide 13% of its generating capacity within a decade. Its first would go online in 2023.

“Every year, the technology gets better and better," said Chuck Caisley, an Evergy senior vice president and its chief customer officer. "You're just going to see that march continue.”

However, under Evergy's plan, only 20% of its coal-fired generating capacity would go offline by 2030. Also, for now it plans to add natural-gas fired plants after 2030 to back up solar and wind farms. Gas is cleaner but not emissions-free.

Evergy's move toward clean energy is "not fast enough to align with the urgency of climate change," said Jeff Deyette of the Union Concerned Scientists.

Kansas' and Missouri's utility regulatory commissions are providing forums for comments on the plan rather than dictating the details, though later reviews of Evergy rates could shape what it does.

Evergy's plan worries at least a few conservatives in the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature. They argue that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-topeka-54179537e56b69ab71aafc6f42fa990b">rolling blackouts</a>&nbsp;during a brutal cold snap in February showed that Kansas needs fossil-fuel powered plants because wind and sun are not reliable enough.

Senate Utilities Committee Chair Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican, said he's concerned about how much customers' rates might rise to pay for new wind and solar farms.

“The Legislature needs to do something — exactly what, I'm not sure yet," Thompson said.

Attorneys representing utility customers also are reviewing Evergy's plan, focusing on keeping power affordable and reliable.

"You need it to live a modern life," said Robert Vincent, a Kansas City-area attorney representing large industrial customers.

Yet environmentalists also cite the cost of electricity to justify a more aggressive move toward green energy.

Evergy acknowledges that wind power is as cheap or cheaper than other power and that solar power is getting there.

“What's changed in the last five years is that the economics actually make sense,” added Sarah Akers, a utility analyst in St. Louis for Wells Fargo Securities, which provides services to Evergy.

The Sierra Club contends Evergy could free up $780 million by shutting down all of its coal-fired plants earlier, by 2030, under&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/summary_hb_2072_2021">a bipartisan Kansas law</a>&nbsp;enacted in April. The law allows utilities to use low-interest bonds to spread out shutdown costs, lessening the rate shock for customers.

Activists said savings could lower rates, pay for green technology or fund programs for financially struggling families. They argue there also will be financial and health benefits from lessening pollution that disproportionately affects poor and minority neighborhoods.

“There's no reason why we should continue to have a coal-fired power plant operating even two more years,” said Beto Lugo, executive director of Clean Air Now, a Kansas City group that sees green energy countering “environmental racism.”

But Evergy wants coal-fired power plants to back up wind and solar farms. Also, Caisley said, its plan would give solar batteries time to develop into something that can store massive amounts of power and dispatch it over time. Better green technology also could prompt Evergy to forgo building gas-fired plants after 2030.

“You really do have to look at a bunch of factors over over a long time period,” he said.

<a href="https://hosted.ap.org/semissourian/article/b6b0a700755b14f031e2111776be434a/utilitys-green-energy-plan-fuels-debate-kansas-missouri#">By JOHN HANNA</a>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas' largest electric company expects to make its first big investments in solar energy over the next three years and promises zero net carbon emissions in 2045.Environmentalists don’t think Evergy is moving quickly enough. Conversely, other critics worry that its plans could make electricity more costly and less reliable.Evergy outlined its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.evergy.com/-/media/documents/smart-energy/evergy-2021-irp-overview.pdf?la=en">long-term plan</a>&nbsp;in recent weeks for regulators in Kansas, where the company has about 1 million customers, and Missouri, where it has an additional 600,000. The plan is inspiring a debate about climate change, electric rates and promoting social justice through energy policy.It's the first time a Kansas utility has filed such a plan with state regulators, and Evergy promises to update it every three years. Utilities across the U.S. and investors increasingly see green initiatives as good for companies' bottom lines as well as the environment.“Most utilities see the handwriting on the wall,” said Lisa Frantzis, senior managing director for Advanced Energy Economy, a national association for clean-energy technology firms. “The customers — their ratepayers — are requiring it and we're even seeing even more and more pressure from financial institutions."Eighteen states have a goal to generate all their power from renewable or clean sources by 2050, as do utilities such as Arizona Public Service and Duke Energy, according to Advanced Energy Economy.Evergy would shut down nearly three-quarters of its coal-fired generating capacity by 2039, starting with a plant in Lawrence by 2023. Its capacity to generate power from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-environment-kansas-utilities-energy-industry-9a959204c49da95beefe23bcf2ab9244">wind farms</a>&nbsp;would increase by 23% by 2026.Evergy has almost no solar power now, but solar farms would provide 13% of its generating capacity within a decade. Its first would go online in 2023.“Every year, the technology gets better and better," said Chuck Caisley, an Evergy senior vice president and its chief customer officer. "You're just going to see that march continue.”However, under Evergy's plan, only 20% of its coal-fired generating capacity would go offline by 2030. Also, for now it plans to add natural-gas fired plants after 2030 to back up solar and wind farms. Gas is cleaner but not emissions-free.Evergy's move toward clean energy is "not fast enough to align with the urgency of climate change," said Jeff Deyette of the Union Concerned Scientists.Kansas' and Missouri's utility regulatory commissions are providing forums for comments on the plan rather than dictating the details, though later reviews of Evergy rates could shape what it does.Evergy's plan worries at least a few conservatives in the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature. They argue that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-topeka-54179537e56b69ab71aafc6f42fa990b">rolling blackouts</a>&nbsp;during a brutal cold snap in February showed that Kansas needs fossil-fuel powered plants because wind and sun are not reliable enough.Senate Utilities Committee Chair Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican, said he's concerned about how much customers' rates might rise to pay for new wind and solar farms.“The Legislature needs to do something — exactly what, I'm not sure yet," Thompson said.Attorneys representing utility customers also are reviewing Evergy's plan, focusing on keeping power affordable and reliable."You need it to live a modern life," said Robert Vincent, a Kansas City-area attorney representing large industrial customers.Yet environmentalists also cite the cost of electricity to justify a more aggressive move toward green energy.Evergy acknowledges that wind power is as cheap or cheaper than other power and that solar power is getting there.“What's changed in the last five years is that the economics actually make sense,” added Sarah Akers, a utility analyst in St. Louis for Wells Fargo Securities, which provides services to Evergy.The Sierra Club contends Evergy could free up $780 million by shutting down all of its coal-fired plants earlier, by 2030, under&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/summary_hb_2072_2021">a bipartisan Kansas law</a>&nbsp;enacted in April. The law allows utilities to use low-interest bonds to spread out shutdown costs, lessening the rate shock for customers.Activists said savings could lower rates, pay for green technology or fund programs for financially struggling families. They argue there also will be financial and health benefits from lessening pollution that disproportionately affects poor and minority neighborhoods.“There's no reason why we should continue to have a coal-fired power plant operating even two more years,” said Beto Lugo, executive director of Clean Air Now, a Kansas City group that sees green energy countering “environmental racism.”But Evergy wants coal-fired power plants to back up wind and solar farms. Also, Caisley said, its plan would give solar batteries time to develop into something that can store massive amounts of power and dispatch it over time. Better green technology also could prompt Evergy to forgo building gas-fired plants after 2030.“You really do have to look at a bunch of factors over over a long time period,” he said.

Utility's green energy plan fuels debate in Kansas, Missouri

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The president of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City filed a motion Monday that she said was intended to represent taxpayers in a lawsuit over proposals to change how part of the city’s police department budget is spent.

Gwen Grant said in a statement that she took the action because the current policing structure does not represent the concerns of Kansas City residents, particularly minorities.

The Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-michael-brown-police-business-government-and-politics-ca72b53e3cd06a0ffa3b361686f3c575">sued&nbsp;</a>Mayor Quinton Lucas and the City Council last month after the council voted 9-4 to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-michael-brown-kansas-city-police-government-and-politics-4803a9283551f58639d2e2ae6c922cc2">approve ordinances</a>&nbsp;that would move about $42 million of the police department’s budget into a new fund.

The city manager would negotiate with the commissioners on spending those funds, with an emphasis on social services and intervention programs to address violent crime.

The board of commissioners includes four members appointed by the Missouri governor and the city’s mayor. The board controls the Kansas City police department, including its budget. Kansas City is the only major city in the state without control of its police force.

Grant said the current structure represents taxation without representation and violates the state’s Hancock Amendment, which limits state revenues and local taxes. She said it also violates the U.S. Constitution’s equal protection clause.

“Enough is enough,” Grant said. “Kansas Citians cannot be made to write a blank check to a Board that does not answer to us, is unrepresentative of our needs, and sues our elected officials when they don’t acquiesce to the Board’s every demand.”

The lawsuit filed by the commissioners argues that state law gives the board exclusive authority over the police department and its budget, which must be at least 20% of the city’s general revenue. Opponents of the ordinances have painted them as being an effort to defund the police.

“This is not about defunding the police,” Grant said Monday. “This is about the police being accountable to the city that they serve. This is about taxation without representation. This is about taking our fight to court to seek remedy after decades upon decades of injustice.”

Commission member Nathan Garrett’s resignation was announced Monday. Garrett, one of the strongest backers of the police department and a vocal critic of Lucas and the proposed budget changes, said he was resigning because he was moving to Smithville, a Kansas City suburb.

Garrett sent his letter of resignation to Gov. Mike Parson on Friday, KSHB-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kansas-city-missouri-board-of-police-commissioners-member-nathan-garrett-resigns" target="_blank">reported</a>.

“This department now finds itself at perhaps its most critical moment, and I ask for what I know you will give: focused and considered thought to my replacement,” Garrett wrote to Parson. “May it be one willing to act – informed and thoughtfully – without fear or favor and without regard for political winds or public criticism.”

Earlier this month, a Jackson County Circuit Judge gave the city’s attorneys until this week to respond to the police board’s lawsuit. In the meantime, the city was ordered to continue to funding police operations at present spending levels.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623760893133.png" alt="Gwen Grant photo courtesy Urban League of Greater Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Gwen Grant photo courtesy Urban League of Greater Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The president of the Urban League of Greater Kansas City filed a motion Monday that she said was intended to represent taxpayers in a lawsuit over proposals to change how part of the city’s police department budget is spent.Gwen Grant said in a statement that she took the action because the current policing structure does not represent the concerns of Kansas City residents, particularly minorities.The Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-michael-brown-police-business-government-and-politics-ca72b53e3cd06a0ffa3b361686f3c575">sued&nbsp;</a>Mayor Quinton Lucas and the City Council last month after the council voted 9-4 to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-michael-brown-kansas-city-police-government-and-politics-4803a9283551f58639d2e2ae6c922cc2">approve ordinances</a>&nbsp;that would move about $42 million of the police department’s budget into a new fund.The city manager would negotiate with the commissioners on spending those funds, with an emphasis on social services and intervention programs to address violent crime.The board of commissioners includes four members appointed by the Missouri governor and the city’s mayor. The board controls the Kansas City police department, including its budget. Kansas City is the only major city in the state without control of its police force.Grant said the current structure represents taxation without representation and violates the state’s Hancock Amendment, which limits state revenues and local taxes. She said it also violates the U.S. Constitution’s equal protection clause.“Enough is enough,” Grant said. “Kansas Citians cannot be made to write a blank check to a Board that does not answer to us, is unrepresentative of our needs, and sues our elected officials when they don’t acquiesce to the Board’s every demand.”The lawsuit filed by the commissioners argues that state law gives the board exclusive authority over the police department and its budget, which must be at least 20% of the city’s general revenue. Opponents of the ordinances have painted them as being an effort to defund the police.“This is not about defunding the police,” Grant said Monday. “This is about the police being accountable to the city that they serve. This is about taxation without representation. This is about taking our fight to court to seek remedy after decades upon decades of injustice.”Commission member Nathan Garrett’s resignation was announced Monday. Garrett, one of the strongest backers of the police department and a vocal critic of Lucas and the proposed budget changes, said he was resigning because he was moving to Smithville, a Kansas City suburb.Garrett sent his letter of resignation to Gov. Mike Parson on Friday, KSHB-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kansas-city-missouri-board-of-police-commissioners-member-nathan-garrett-resigns" target="_blank">reported</a>.“This department now finds itself at perhaps its most critical moment, and I ask for what I know you will give: focused and considered thought to my replacement,” Garrett wrote to Parson. “May it be one willing to act – informed and thoughtfully – without fear or favor and without regard for political winds or public criticism.”Earlier this month, a Jackson County Circuit Judge gave the city’s attorneys until this week to respond to the police board’s lawsuit. In the meantime, the city was ordered to continue to funding police operations at present spending levels.

Motion filed to join lawsuit over Kansas City police funding

TOPEKA —Top Republicans are ending Kansas’ state of emergency for the coronavirus pandemic. They refused Tuesday to consider Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s arguments that an extension is still necessary for vaccinations and some testing for COVID-19. Senate President Ty Masterson announced the cancellation of a meeting of eight legislative leaders set for Tuesday afternoon.&nbsp;A law enacted in late March required the legislative leaders to sign off on an extension. 

Governor Kelly issued a statement on GOP leaders ending the declaration.

"Our state's emergency response shouldn't be political, and I'm disappointed by today's actions by Republican leadership. "

"I asked Republican leaders to extend the disaster declaration until August to boost efforts to vaccinate our children before school starts, support our local governments, and help get our state back to normal. A state disaster response has never been, and should not be, political. The actions by a select few Republicans in the Legislature will make our response more difficult."

"We will move forward in spite of this political obstruction and continue to work with our partners and communities to support our schools, businesses, and all Kansans through this pandemic."

The state of emergency will expire by day’s end June 15 after being in place since March 2020.&nbsp;

TOPEKA —Top Republicans are ending Kansas’ state of emergency for the coronavirus pandemic. They refused Tuesday to consider Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s arguments that an extension is still necessary for vaccinations and some testing for COVID-19. Senate President Ty Masterson announced the cancellation of a meeting of eight legislative leaders set for Tuesday afternoon.&nbsp;A law enacted in late March required the legislative leaders to sign off on an extension. Governor Kelly issued a statement on GOP leaders ending the declaration."Our state's emergency response shouldn't be political, and I'm disappointed by today's actions by Republican leadership. ""I asked Republican leaders to extend the disaster declaration until August to boost efforts to vaccinate our children before school starts, support our local governments, and help get our state back to normal. A state disaster response has never been, and should not be, political. The actions by a select few Republicans in the Legislature will make our response more difficult.""We will move forward in spite of this political obstruction and continue to work with our partners and communities to support our schools, businesses, and all Kansans through this pandemic."The state of emergency will expire by day’s end June 15 after being in place since March 2020.&nbsp;

Gov. Kelly on GOP ending Kan. state of emergency for COVID

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say two people have been critically injured in an apartment fire. 

Television station KAKE reports that firefighters were called around 3 a.m. Tuesday to the complex near the Kellogg and Interstate 135 interchange. 

Arriving firefighters discovered a person trapped in the apartment, and another person had jumped out the building to escape the flames. Both people were taken to a hospital with critical injuries.resuscitate  

Firefighters say a pet cat also died in the fire, but crews were able to rescue another cat and resuscitate a dog found not breathing. Two apartment units were damaged in the fire. Officials are investigating the cause of the blaze.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623767545312.png" alt="Fire crews at the scene early Tuesday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Fire crews at the scene early Tuesday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say two people have been critically injured in an apartment fire. Television station KAKE reports that firefighters were called around 3 a.m. Tuesday to the complex near the Kellogg and Interstate 135 interchange. Arriving firefighters discovered a person trapped in the apartment, and another person had jumped out the building to escape the flames. Both people were taken to a hospital with critical injuries.resuscitate Firefighters say a pet cat also died in the fire, but crews were able to rescue another cat and resuscitate a dog found not breathing. Two apartment units were damaged in the fire. Officials are investigating the cause of the blaze.

Kan. apartment fire: 2 injured, firefighters resuscitate dog 

TOPEKA—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that seriously injured a 2-year-old boy.

Just after 2a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a local hospital after a 2-year-old had been driven there in a private vehicle and was suffering from serious gunshot injuries, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.

Investigators believe the shooting occurred in the 800 block of SW 11th Street in Topeka. All parties involved are believed to have been located and police are working to learn what happened.

“This is the third shooting we’ve responded to in the last few days in which a child has been injured.," Said Topeka Police Chief Bryan Wheeles.&nbsp; "This concerning trend cannot continue. Gun safety is a community responsibility and we must all do our part to keep each other, and especially young children safe."

TOPEKA—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that seriously injured a 2-year-old boy.Just after 2a.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to a local hospital after a 2-year-old had been driven there in a private vehicle and was suffering from serious gunshot injuries, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.Investigators believe the shooting occurred in the 800 block of SW 11th Street in Topeka. All parties involved are believed to have been located and police are working to learn what happened.“This is the third shooting we’ve responded to in the last few days in which a child has been injured.," Said Topeka Police Chief Bryan Wheeles.&nbsp; "This concerning trend cannot continue. Gun safety is a community responsibility and we must all do our part to keep each other, and especially young children safe."

Police: Shooting injured 2-year-old Kansas boy

TOPEKA — Republican legislative leadership ended the State of Disaster Emergency Declaration Tuesday morning.

Senate President Ty Masterson announced that the meeting of the Legislative Coordinating Counci to discuss Governor Kelly's request to extend the declaration until August had been canceled, according to a statement from his office.

As a result, the statewide emergency declaration will expire as scheduled at the end of today.

Eight leaders of the GOP-controlled Legislature, six of them Republicans, were scheduled to meet to consider whether to extend the state of emergency that’s been in place since early March 2020.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/summary_sb_40_2021" target="_blank">A law&nbsp;</a>enacted in late March requires the legislative leaders to sign off on an extension.

President Masterson, Vice President Rick Wilborn and Majority Leader Larry Alley have issued the following joint statement:

"At last month's LCC meeting, a majority of legislative leaders made it clear that June 15th was likely to be the end of the state of emergency - that after 15 months, it is time for Kansas to return to normal. As such, the LCC recommended the governor develop an exit strategy to end the emergency – however, after reviewing the governor's letter, it appears the governor opted for an extension strategy. “The legislature and the LCC have granted the governor every extension request over the last year, but the current circumstances surrounding COVID-19 no longer necessitate a statewide disaster emergency.&nbsp;&nbsp;The governor has not provided adequate justification for the LCC to grant her request for yet another extension, and all remaining efforts related to COVID-19 can and should take place under our normal procedures. As such, the statewide disaster emergency will expire as planned.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616690977367.jpeg" alt="Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover photo by Noah Taborda" />
 <figcaption>Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover photo by Noah Taborda</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA — Republican legislative leadership ended the State of Disaster Emergency Declaration Tuesday morning.Senate President Ty Masterson announced that the meeting of the Legislative Coordinating Counci to discuss Governor Kelly's request to extend the declaration until August had been canceled, according to a statement from his office.As a result, the statewide emergency declaration will expire as scheduled at the end of today.Eight leaders of the GOP-controlled Legislature, six of them Republicans, were scheduled to meet to consider whether to extend the state of emergency that’s been in place since early March 2020.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/summary_sb_40_2021" target="_blank">A law&nbsp;</a>enacted in late March requires the legislative leaders to sign off on an extension.President Masterson, Vice President Rick Wilborn and Majority Leader Larry Alley have issued the following joint statement: "At last month's LCC meeting, a majority of legislative leaders made it clear that June 15th was likely to be the end of the state of emergency - that after 15 months, it is time for Kansas to return to normal. As such, the LCC recommended the governor develop an exit strategy to end the emergency – however, after reviewing the governor's letter, it appears the governor opted for an extension strategy. “The legislature and the LCC have granted the governor every extension request over the last year, but the current circumstances surrounding COVID-19 no longer necessitate a statewide disaster emergency.&nbsp;&nbsp;The governor has not provided adequate justification for the LCC to grant her request for yet another extension, and all remaining efforts related to COVID-19 can and should take place under our normal procedures. As such, the statewide disaster emergency will expire as planned.”

Kansas COVID-19 emergency declaration will expire today

Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014, will embark on "The Big Boy 2021 Tour" Aug. 5 to celebrate railroad heritage and the communities Union Pacific serves, according to a media release from the railroad company.

This is the first tour since the locomotive was restored for 2019's "Great Race" tours celebrating the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad’s completion. The multi-year restoration took place at Union Pacific’s steam shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming, following a retirement that spanned six decades.

"Weighing in at 1.2 million pounds, the Big Boy makes a big impression in communities it visits, reminding us of bygone days and the important role the railroad continues to play in our global economy," said Scott Moore, senior vice president – Corporate Relations and chief administrative officer. "This summer, we are proud to announce that the Big Boy will be back to tour through 10 of the states and hundreds of the communities which Union Pacific serves."

No. 4014 will leave the Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming, August 5, making brief whistle-stops in communities across Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming. The locomotive will be on display in the following cities:

No. 4014 will return to Cheyenne following the Denver stop. A complete list of overnight and whistle stops will be released at&nbsp;<a href="http://upsteam.com/">http://upsteam.com</a>. Fans interested in getting the latest news regarding Union Pacific’s steam program and notifications of schedule updates can join the Union Pacific Steam Club at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.up.com/up/heritage/steam/club/index.htm">http://up.com/SteamClub</a>.

Twenty-five Big Boys were built exclusively for Union Pacific, the first of which was delivered in 1941 to handle the steep terrain between Cheyenne and Ogden. Of the eight still in existence, No. 4014 is the world's only operating Big Boy. The other seven can be found on display in Cheyenne, Wyoming; Denver, Colorado; Frisco, Texas; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Omaha, Nebraska; Scranton, Pennsylvania; and St. Louis, Missouri.

Union Pacific strongly encourages visitors to keep safety top of mind while viewing and photographing No. 4014 on its journey. For everyone's safety:

The&nbsp;Experience the Union Pacific Rail Car, a multi-media walk-through exhibition providing a glimpse at the past while telling the story of modern-day railroading, will accompany the Big Boy on its tour. A steam tracking map showing No. 4014's location and route will be available at&nbsp;<a href="http://upsteam.com/">upsteam.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623722098669.jpeg" alt="Big Boy 2021 map.jpg" />
 <figcaption>Big Boy 2021 map.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>Union Pacific's Big Boy No. 4014, will embark on "The Big Boy 2021 Tour" Aug. 5 to celebrate railroad heritage and the communities Union Pacific serves, according to a media release from the railroad company.This is the first tour since the locomotive was restored for 2019's "Great Race" tours celebrating the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad’s completion. The multi-year restoration took place at Union Pacific’s steam shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming, following a retirement that spanned six decades."Weighing in at 1.2 million pounds, the Big Boy makes a big impression in communities it visits, reminding us of bygone days and the important role the railroad continues to play in our global economy," said Scott Moore, senior vice president – Corporate Relations and chief administrative officer. "This summer, we are proud to announce that the Big Boy will be back to tour through 10 of the states and hundreds of the communities which Union Pacific serves."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623722971945.png" alt="Big Boy rolls past the old depot in Salina during the 2019 tour. Photo by&nbsp;Bryan Dennett&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Big Boy rolls past the old depot in Salina during the 2019 tour. Photo by&nbsp;Bryan Dennett&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>No. 4014 will leave the Steam Shop in Cheyenne, Wyoming, August 5, making brief whistle-stops in communities across Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming. The locomotive will be on display in the following cities:<ul>
 <li>Saturday, Aug. 14: Fort Worth, Texas</li><li>Tuesday, Aug. 17: Houston, Texas</li><li>Saturday, Aug. 21: New Orleans, Louisiana</li><li>Sunday, Aug. 29: St. Louis, Missouri</li><li>Monday, Sept. 6: Denver, Colorado</li>
 </ul>No. 4014 will return to Cheyenne following the Denver stop. A complete list of overnight and whistle stops will be released at&nbsp;<a href="http://upsteam.com/">http://upsteam.com</a>. Fans interested in getting the latest news regarding Union Pacific’s steam program and notifications of schedule updates can join the Union Pacific Steam Club at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.up.com/up/heritage/steam/club/index.htm">http://up.com/SteamClub</a>.Twenty-five Big Boys were built exclusively for Union Pacific, the first of which was delivered in 1941 to handle the steep terrain between Cheyenne and Ogden. Of the eight still in existence, No. 4014 is the world's only operating Big Boy. The other seven can be found on display in Cheyenne, Wyoming; Denver, Colorado; Frisco, Texas; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Omaha, Nebraska; Scranton, Pennsylvania; and St. Louis, Missouri.Union Pacific strongly encourages visitors to keep safety top of mind while viewing and photographing No. 4014 on its journey. For everyone's safety:<ul>
 <li>Remember, trains can't stop quickly to avoid people or vehicles on the tracks.</li><li>A train's distance and speed can be deceiving.</li><li>The average train overhangs the track by at least three feet – take extra precaution and stand back at least 25 feet.</li><li>Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and right of way are private property.</li><li>Never assume tracks are abandoned or inactive – always expect a train.</li>
 </ul>The&nbsp;Experience the Union Pacific Rail Car, a multi-media walk-through exhibition providing a glimpse at the past while telling the story of modern-day railroading, will accompany the Big Boy on its tour. A steam tracking map showing No. 4014's location and route will be available at&nbsp;<a href="http://upsteam.com/">upsteam.com</a>.

World’s largest steam locomotive returns to Kansas this summer

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A 39-year-old Kansas woman is charged with stabbing her fiance to death. Eva Banks of Leavenworth is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 44-year-old Jerrold Rhodes. 

Police say Rhodes was stabbed to death Saturday at a home the couple shared in Leavenworth. 

Police Chief Pat Kitchens says investigators believe Rhodes' death was the result of domestic violence. Banks made her first appearance via video in court on Monday. She said she planned to hire an attorney.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623705152173.png" alt="Banks photo Leavenworth Co." />
 <figcaption>Banks photo Leavenworth Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A 39-year-old Kansas woman is charged with stabbing her fiance to death. Eva Banks of Leavenworth is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 44-year-old Jerrold Rhodes. Police say Rhodes was stabbed to death Saturday at a home the couple shared in Leavenworth. Police Chief Pat Kitchens says investigators believe Rhodes' death was the result of domestic violence. Banks made her first appearance via video in court on Monday. She said she planned to hire an attorney.

Kansas woman charged in stabbing death of fiance

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is trying to persuade&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/web/search/text?all=false&amp;endDate=2021-06-01T21:25:44.882Z&amp;sourceType=allSources&amp;dateRangeType=live&amp;mediaSortType=newest&amp;pagesize=10&amp;viewType=conversation&amp;keyword=byline:%22JOHN%20HANNA%22&amp;storyType=all&amp;mediatype=text&amp;startDate=1998-01-01T06:00:00.000Z" target="_blank">deeply skeptical</a>&nbsp;Republican lawmakers to extend Kansas’ state of emergency for the coronavirus pandemic, arguing that it’s still necessary for vaccinations and some testing for COVID-19.

Eight leaders of the GOP-controlled Legislature, six of them Republicans, were meeting Tuesday to consider whether to extend a state of emergency that’s been in place since early March 2020.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/summary_sb_40_2021" target="_blank">A law&nbsp;</a>enacted in late March requires the legislative leaders to sign off on an extension, and if top Republicans reject Kelly’s request, the state of emergency will expire by day’s end.

Kelly told reporters last week that she wants the state of emergency to continue at least through the end of August. She sent top lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Gov-Kelly-Application-to-LCC-for-Extension-of-Emergency-Declaration-6.11.21.pdf" target="_blank">a letter</a>&nbsp;Friday outlining a plan for winding down emergency operations and letting seven executive orders expire.

The governor told legislative leaders that she would keep only two executive orders in place, one mandating that&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/EO-21-15-Executed.pdf" target="_blank">state-licensed nursing homes test</a>&nbsp;their residents and staff regularly for COVID-19, and another&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/EO-21-21-Executed.pdf" target="_blank">granting temporary permission</a>&nbsp;for physicians’ assistants, nurses, pharmacists and other medical personnel to give COVID-19 vaccinations. She said extending the state of emergency will help with mobile vaccine clinics, particularly for children aged 12 to 17, and with the distribution of personal protective equipment.

“Without a disaster declaration in place, these priorities and objectives cannot be effectively accomplished,” her letter said.

Kelly asked lawmakers to approve a 30-day extension, through July 15, the maximum allowed at one time by law. Top lawmakers refused late last month to give Kelly the maximum extension and Republicans signaled that they did not plan to grant another one.

House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said Monday that Kelly has had weeks to figure out how to manage the distribution of vaccines and protective equipment and to continue testing at nursing homes. He said with new cases having dropped, the state no longer faces an emergency, and its residents are ready to move on.

“Quite frankly, I think she would keep asking for extensions is she could get them,” Hawkins. “I don’t think she ever wants to — it doesn’t seem like, ever wants to — shut this thing down, so it’s going to take us to do it.”

COVID-19 immunizations have declined since early April, from a peak average of 29,380 shots a day for the first seven days of that month, to 5,523 for the seven days ending Monday, according to state Department of Health and Environment data.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data" target="_blank">The department said</a>&nbsp;43.3% of the state’s 2.9 million residents or about 1.26 million people had received at least one of two vaccine shots as of Monday. The state still had nearly 584,000 unused vaccine doses after asking for only 10.2% of its federal allocation last week.

By John HannaTOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is trying to persuade&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/web/search/text?all=false&amp;endDate=2021-06-01T21:25:44.882Z&amp;sourceType=allSources&amp;dateRangeType=live&amp;mediaSortType=newest&amp;pagesize=10&amp;viewType=conversation&amp;keyword=byline:%22JOHN%20HANNA%22&amp;storyType=all&amp;mediatype=text&amp;startDate=1998-01-01T06:00:00.000Z" target="_blank">deeply skeptical</a>&nbsp;Republican lawmakers to extend Kansas’ state of emergency for the coronavirus pandemic, arguing that it’s still necessary for vaccinations and some testing for COVID-19.Eight leaders of the GOP-controlled Legislature, six of them Republicans, were meeting Tuesday to consider whether to extend a state of emergency that’s been in place since early March 2020.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/summary_sb_40_2021" target="_blank">A law&nbsp;</a>enacted in late March requires the legislative leaders to sign off on an extension, and if top Republicans reject Kelly’s request, the state of emergency will expire by day’s end.Kelly told reporters last week that she wants the state of emergency to continue at least through the end of August. She sent top lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Gov-Kelly-Application-to-LCC-for-Extension-of-Emergency-Declaration-6.11.21.pdf" target="_blank">a letter</a>&nbsp;Friday outlining a plan for winding down emergency operations and letting seven executive orders expire.The governor told legislative leaders that she would keep only two executive orders in place, one mandating that&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/EO-21-15-Executed.pdf" target="_blank">state-licensed nursing homes test</a>&nbsp;their residents and staff regularly for COVID-19, and another&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/EO-21-21-Executed.pdf" target="_blank">granting temporary permission</a>&nbsp;for physicians’ assistants, nurses, pharmacists and other medical personnel to give COVID-19 vaccinations. She said extending the state of emergency will help with mobile vaccine clinics, particularly for children aged 12 to 17, and with the distribution of personal protective equipment.“Without a disaster declaration in place, these priorities and objectives cannot be effectively accomplished,” her letter said.Kelly asked lawmakers to approve a 30-day extension, through July 15, the maximum allowed at one time by law. Top lawmakers refused late last month to give Kelly the maximum extension and Republicans signaled that they did not plan to grant another one.House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said Monday that Kelly has had weeks to figure out how to manage the distribution of vaccines and protective equipment and to continue testing at nursing homes. He said with new cases having dropped, the state no longer faces an emergency, and its residents are ready to move on.“Quite frankly, I think she would keep asking for extensions is she could get them,” Hawkins. “I don’t think she ever wants to — it doesn’t seem like, ever wants to — shut this thing down, so it’s going to take us to do it.”COVID-19 immunizations have declined since early April, from a peak average of 29,380 shots a day for the first seven days of that month, to 5,523 for the seven days ending Monday, according to state Department of Health and Environment data.<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data" target="_blank">The department said</a>&nbsp;43.3% of the state’s 2.9 million residents or about 1.26 million people had received at least one of two vaccine shots as of Monday. The state still had nearly 584,000 unused vaccine doses after asking for only 10.2% of its federal allocation last week.___

Kansas governor tries to keep COVID state of emergency alive

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

Just after 1a.m. Monday, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a green 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck near SW 11th Street and SW Topeka Boulevard, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

 During the investigation, the deputy located illegal narcotics and arrested the driver 55-year-old Patrick S. Freel and the passenger, 21-year-old Spencer A. Mishmash both of Topeka,

They were booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. Freel is being held on requested charges of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, failure to stop at a red light, defective headlamps, no vehicle liability insurance and driving with an expired registration. Mishmash was booked on requested charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and interference with law enforcement,

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623753678182.png" alt="Mishmash photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Mishmash photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two Kansas men on drug charges after a traffic stop.Just after 1a.m. Monday, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a green 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck near SW 11th Street and SW Topeka Boulevard, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. During the investigation, the deputy located illegal narcotics and arrested the driver 55-year-old Patrick S. Freel and the passenger, 21-year-old Spencer A. Mishmash both of Topeka,<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623753723429.png" alt="Freel photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Freel photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>They were booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. Freel is being held on requested charges of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, failure to stop at a red light, defective headlamps, no vehicle liability insurance and driving with an expired registration. Mishmash was booked on requested charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and interference with law enforcement,

Sheriff: Failure to stop at red light leads to drug distribution arrest

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623688227978.png" alt="Maves photo Council Bluffs Police" />
 <figcaption>Maves photo Council Bluffs Police</figcaption>
 </figure>COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa —Law enforcement authorities in western Iowa are investigating a woman they suspect of setting another woman on fire and hitting the victim in the face as another person tried to put out the flames.Just after 4:30 a.m. Monday, police were called to North 15th Street in Council Bluffs and found a woman identified as Christine Weilage with severe burns outside a homeless services center, according to a media release. EMS transported the victim to a hospital in Omaha&nbsp;for treatment.An investigation found that the victim was involved in a disturbance with the suspect identified as 37-year-old Lindsey Maves who sprayed the victim with a flammable substance and lit her on fire.Maves then hit the victim in the face with something as a witness tried to put out the flames and fled the scene. Police located her late Monday afternoon and brought her in for questioning. Police are treating the incident as an attempted murder.

Police: Woman accused of setting another woman on fire

LIBERTY, Mo. (AP) — Clergy and civil rights advocates in Kansas City are promoting a 21-day cease fire with offers of conflict resolution and on-call spiritual counseling in a city that's undergoing yet another deadly year of gun-related violence.

The cease fire, which began at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, got off to a disappointing start when a woman was shot and killed at her home about 10 a.m. The shooting marked the 68th homicide this year in the city, which&nbsp;<a href="https://hosted.ap.org/semissourian/article/0c66a8a736297a72e4be39483e7ec977/b1f8d6d41b5a33e2e58b305d9ebd6cb4">set a record</a>&nbsp;of 176 homicides last year, according to police department figures.

The shooting was a prime example of why the cease fire is necessary, said the Rev. Vernon Howard, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City, one of several groups promoting the effort.

“We want to intervene in situations of either retaliation or someone who has been thrust into a situation where mentally or emotionally they have snapped,” Howard said. “Those two scenarios are ravaging us right now.”

Experts from the Center for Conflict Resolution will be available during the “21 Days of Peace,” along with licensed and ordained clergy, who will provide spiritual counseling. Another group will provide a 24/7 ministry and prayer. The effort is scheduled to end at midnight July 3.

Organizers felt the need to react to violence on the ground level, in part because residents living in the city's most violent neighborhoods feel forgotten by local, state and federal officials, Howard said.

He said many residents in those neighborhoods are plagued by low-income jobs, a lack of mental and emotional health services and too-easy access to weapons and drugs.

Besides helping people in difficult situations, the larger goals are to prompt politicians to make systemic changes that truly address the problems, Howard said, as well as engage all of the Kansas City region in confronting the violence.

“We're fighting as hard as we can in the streets for our people," he said. "Our feet are treading the path of the bloodshed, and then we look up to the state and federal government, we're not getting any help with policy and law. That has to change.”

Despite the seemingly overwhelming odds, organizers believe they can make a dent in the violence by giving people alternative paths to violence, Howard said. Group members plan to saturate social media with their message, as well as meet at the site of every homicide in the next three weeks, where they will pray, offer comfort and hand out literature about the program.

“I can't remember the last time we went 21 days without a murder in Kansas City,” Howard said. “But we do believe it’s attainable if we focus on it and get in the trenches and show people we care."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623706128352.png" alt="Dr. Vernon Howard of the&nbsp;Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City during a press conference last month=photo courtesy KSHB TV" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Vernon Howard of the&nbsp;Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City during a press conference last month=photo courtesy KSHB TV</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARGARET STAFFORDLIBERTY, Mo. (AP) — Clergy and civil rights advocates in Kansas City are promoting a 21-day cease fire with offers of conflict resolution and on-call spiritual counseling in a city that's undergoing yet another deadly year of gun-related violence.The cease fire, which began at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, got off to a disappointing start when a woman was shot and killed at her home about 10 a.m. The shooting marked the 68th homicide this year in the city, which&nbsp;<a href="https://hosted.ap.org/semissourian/article/0c66a8a736297a72e4be39483e7ec977/b1f8d6d41b5a33e2e58b305d9ebd6cb4">set a record</a>&nbsp;of 176 homicides last year, according to police department figures.The shooting was a prime example of why the cease fire is necessary, said the Rev. Vernon Howard, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City, one of several groups promoting the effort.“We want to intervene in situations of either retaliation or someone who has been thrust into a situation where mentally or emotionally they have snapped,” Howard said. “Those two scenarios are ravaging us right now.”Experts from the Center for Conflict Resolution will be available during the “21 Days of Peace,” along with licensed and ordained clergy, who will provide spiritual counseling. Another group will provide a 24/7 ministry and prayer. The effort is scheduled to end at midnight July 3.Organizers felt the need to react to violence on the ground level, in part because residents living in the city's most violent neighborhoods feel forgotten by local, state and federal officials, Howard said.He said many residents in those neighborhoods are plagued by low-income jobs, a lack of mental and emotional health services and too-easy access to weapons and drugs.Besides helping people in difficult situations, the larger goals are to prompt politicians to make systemic changes that truly address the problems, Howard said, as well as engage all of the Kansas City region in confronting the violence.“We're fighting as hard as we can in the streets for our people," he said. "Our feet are treading the path of the bloodshed, and then we look up to the state and federal government, we're not getting any help with policy and law. That has to change.”Despite the seemingly overwhelming odds, organizers believe they can make a dent in the violence by giving people alternative paths to violence, Howard said. Group members plan to saturate social media with their message, as well as meet at the site of every homicide in the next three weeks, where they will pray, offer comfort and hand out literature about the program.“I can't remember the last time we went 21 days without a murder in Kansas City,” Howard said. “But we do believe it’s attainable if we focus on it and get in the trenches and show people we care."

Activists call for 21-day cease fire to Kansas City violence

Vaccine maker Novavax said Monday its shot was highly effective against COVID-19 and also protected against variants in a large, late-stage study in the U.S. and Mexico.&nbsp;<a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3194860-1&amp;h=1002882103&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fvariants%2Fvariant-info.html&amp;a=Click+here+for+CDC+definitions+of+variants" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click here for&nbsp;CDC&nbsp;definitions of variants</a>.

The vaccine was about 90% effective overall and preliminary data showed it was safe, the company said.

While demand for COVID-19 shots in the U.S. has dropped off dramatically, the need for more vaccines around the world remains critical. The Novavax vaccine, which is easy to store and transport, is expected to play an important role in boosting vaccine supplies in the developing world.

That help is still months away, however. The company says it plans to seek authorization for the shots in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere by the end of September and be able to produce up to 100 million doses a month by then.

“Many of our first doses will go to … low- and middle-income countries, and that was the goal to begin with,” Novavax Chief Executive Stanley Erck told The Associated Press.

While more than half of the U.S. population has had at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, less than 1 percent of people in the developing world have had one shot, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations" target="_blank">Our World In Data</a>.

Novavax’s study involved nearly 30,000 people ages 18 and up in the U.S. and Mexico. Two-thirds received two doses of the vaccine, three weeks apart, and the rest got dummy shots.

There were 77 cases of COVID-19 — 14 in the group that got the vaccine and the rest were in volunteers who received dummy shots. None in the vaccine group had moderate or severe disease, compared to 14 in the placebo group.

The vaccine was similarly effective against several variants including the one first detected in the U.K. that’s dominant in the U.S., and in high-risk populations including the elderly and people with other health problems.

Side effects were mostly mild — tenderness and pain at the injection site. There were no reports of unusual blood clots or heart problems, Erck said.

Novavax reported the results in a press release and plans to publish in a medical journal, where it will be vetted by independent experts. The Maryland-based company previously released findings from smaller studies in Britain and South Africa.

COVID-19 vaccines train the body to recognize the coronavirus, especially the spike protein that coats it, and get ready to fight the virus off. The Novavax vaccine is made with lab-grown copies of that protein. That’s different from some of the other vaccines now widely used, which include genetic instructions for the body to make its own spike protein.

The Novavax vaccine can be stored in standard refrigerators, making it easier to distribute.

Novavax previously announced manufacturing delays due to supply shortages. The company now expects to reach production of 100 million doses a month by the end of September and 150 million doses a month by December.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623670952359.png" alt="Photo courtesy Novavax" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Novavax</figcaption>
 </figure>By LINDA A. JOHNSON, Associated PressVaccine maker Novavax said Monday its shot was highly effective against COVID-19 and also protected against variants in a large, late-stage study in the U.S. and Mexico.&nbsp;<a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3194860-1&amp;h=1002882103&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fvariants%2Fvariant-info.html&amp;a=Click+here+for+CDC+definitions+of+variants" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click here for&nbsp;CDC&nbsp;definitions of variants</a>.The vaccine was about 90% effective overall and preliminary data showed it was safe, the company said.While demand for COVID-19 shots in the U.S. has dropped off dramatically, the need for more vaccines around the world remains critical. The Novavax vaccine, which is easy to store and transport, is expected to play an important role in boosting vaccine supplies in the developing world.That help is still months away, however. The company says it plans to seek authorization for the shots in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere by the end of September and be able to produce up to 100 million doses a month by then.“Many of our first doses will go to … low- and middle-income countries, and that was the goal to begin with,” Novavax Chief Executive Stanley Erck told The Associated Press.While more than half of the U.S. population has had at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, less than 1 percent of people in the developing world have had one shot, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations" target="_blank">Our World In Data</a>.Novavax’s study involved nearly 30,000 people ages 18 and up in the U.S. and Mexico. Two-thirds received two doses of the vaccine, three weeks apart, and the rest got dummy shots.There were 77 cases of COVID-19 — 14 in the group that got the vaccine and the rest were in volunteers who received dummy shots. None in the vaccine group had moderate or severe disease, compared to 14 in the placebo group.The vaccine was similarly effective against several variants including the one first detected in the U.K. that’s dominant in the U.S., and in high-risk populations including the elderly and people with other health problems.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623671038532.png" alt="Photo by Matt Feldman, Novavax" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Matt Feldman, Novavax</figcaption>
 </figure>Side effects were mostly mild — tenderness and pain at the injection site. There were no reports of unusual blood clots or heart problems, Erck said.Novavax reported the results in a press release and plans to publish in a medical journal, where it will be vetted by independent experts. The Maryland-based company previously released findings from smaller studies in Britain and South Africa.COVID-19 vaccines train the body to recognize the coronavirus, especially the spike protein that coats it, and get ready to fight the virus off. The Novavax vaccine is made with lab-grown copies of that protein. That’s different from some of the other vaccines now widely used, which include genetic instructions for the body to make its own spike protein.The Novavax vaccine can be stored in standard refrigerators, making it easier to distribute.Novavax previously announced manufacturing delays due to supply shortages. The company now expects to reach production of 100 million doses a month by the end of September and 150 million doses a month by December.

Novavax: New COVID-19 shot also protects against variants

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly on Monday issued an executive order rescinding seven pandemic emergency Executive Orders&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.LkPdjYryn8rGNkfNYjdBKwTU_NB9ossAw9hySuX8yYI/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-10</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.ZqN10gxDQCIeYdp_K-7DIAliddsPZUVSWqIz7ATOSHg/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-12</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.g6avLTD9FK6erpgBhrSRYrfHGE7hKlPcnoAU_vNPqNw/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-16</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.xpTbeMgIb1AtMTUeOGkokikMegn112W22CsZUYUZ0B8/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-17</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.5MOtNCa4ECeSSkOzE2vR7yEYFjN0Rsarr7L36z2x5jg/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-18</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.teodSPZKYMkaH4TNu-qfNgU36tfgwNFox9yjr3p1PlI/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-19</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.9hH24xq7Pe0I0Njg2x1nKg-kJAFEPxGSdaSJd-4Wo9o/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-20</a>. The recession&nbsp;will be effective June 15th&nbsp;for all except orders 21-16 and 21-20, which will be effective June 30th,&nbsp;and 21-10, which will be effective July 15th, according to a media release from her office.

<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA2MTQuNDE5MTc1MjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2dvdmVybm9yLmthbnNhcy5nb3Yvd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMjEvMDYvRU8tMjEtMjMtUmVzY2luZGluZy1DZXJ0YWluLUNvdmlkLTE5LUVPcy1FeGVjdXRlZC5wZGYifQ.Rk36_1TqyXw218ER8WM2Gh5Q4IKuNC-fJ85ELGHvv5M/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">Click here to view Executive Order #21-23&nbsp;</a>

“Ending these pandemic executive orders is one of the final actions we will take to end the state of Kansas’ emergency response,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“Moving forward, we will transition to an emergency response focused on getting our kids vaccinated and providing logistical support to local communities for vaccines and continued COVID-19 testing. Without a disaster declaration in place, we undermine our ability to achieve these priorities and objectives. We owe it to Kansans to finish the job and wind down the state of disaster emergency responsibly.”

Governor Kelly will leave Executive Orders&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDgsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA2MTQuNDE5MTc1MjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2djYzAyLnNhZmVsaW5rcy5wcm90ZWN0aW9uLm91dGxvb2suY29tLz91cmw9aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZnb3Zlcm5vci5rYW5zYXMuZ292JTJGZXhlY3V0aXZlLW9yZGVyLW5vLTIxLTE1JTJGJmRhdGE9MDQlN0MwMSU3Q1JheW5hLkthcnN0JTQwa3MuZ292JTdDNzEyY2ZkYjkyNDI5NDZlNmE4MmEwOGQ5MmY3YTBjOTclN0NkY2FlODEwMWM5MmQ0ODBjYmM0M2M2NzYxY2NjY2M1YSU3QzAlN0MwJTdDNjM3NTkzMDIzNDk4OTE2MjcwJTdDVW5rbm93biU3Q1RXRnBiR1pzYjNkOGV5SldJam9pTUM0d0xqQXdNREFpTENKUUlqb2lWMmx1TXpJaUxDSkJUaUk2SWsxaGFXd2lMQ0pYVkNJNk1uMCUzRCU3QzEwMDAmc2RhdGE9NnFPcmh5akZTRDZCRkkxV3N1cWFTd2FWTWdmZ2FkU0R1aE0zc09lYUxRWSUzRCZyZXNlcnZlZD0wIn0.Vx-CeaYqe170e_wCSM_n0c3Hv9AkklqbgHGz9IbEIjw/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-15</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.Kor2HLYgY3x5-oqyFtUeZVOoX_Q7Nfassd3aiKCEkOw/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-21</a>&nbsp;in effect to support the state’s ongoing role in COVID-19 testing and vaccine administration, which will be critical to increase vaccinations for school-aged children. Executive Order 21-15 is the only mechanism in place to require COVID-19 testing in certain adult care homes licensed by the state. Executive Order 21-21 grants temporary authority to certain medical personnel to administer COVID-19 vaccinations. Continued efforts to vaccinate as many Kansans as quickly as possible will be unnecessarily impeded if it expires.

All orders are rescinded at 11:59 p.m. on the relevant date:&nbsp;

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly on Monday issued an executive order rescinding seven pandemic emergency Executive Orders&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.LkPdjYryn8rGNkfNYjdBKwTU_NB9ossAw9hySuX8yYI/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-10</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.ZqN10gxDQCIeYdp_K-7DIAliddsPZUVSWqIz7ATOSHg/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-12</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.g6avLTD9FK6erpgBhrSRYrfHGE7hKlPcnoAU_vNPqNw/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-16</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.xpTbeMgIb1AtMTUeOGkokikMegn112W22CsZUYUZ0B8/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-17</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA2MTQuNDE5MTc1MjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2djYzAyLnNhZmVsaW5rcy5wcm90ZWN0aW9uLm91dGxvb2suY29tLz91cmw9aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZnb3Zlcm5vci5rYW5zYXMuZ292JTJGZXhlY3V0aXZlLW9yZGVyLW5vLTIxLTE4JTJGJmRhdGE9MDQlN0MwMSU3Q1JheW5hLkthcnN0JTQwa3MuZ292JTdDNzEyY2ZkYjkyNDI5NDZlNmE4MmEwOGQ5MmY3YTBjOTclN0NkY2FlODEwMWM5MmQ0ODBjYmM0M2M2NzYxY2NjY2M1YSU3QzAlN0MwJTdDNjM3NTkzMDIzNDk4OTA2MzE0JTdDVW5rbm93biU3Q1RXRnBiR1pzYjNkOGV5SldJam9pTUM0d0xqQXdNREFpTENKUUlqb2lWMmx1TXpJaUxDSkJUaUk2SWsxaGFXd2lMQ0pYVkNJNk1uMCUzRCU3QzEwMDAmc2RhdGE9Y0JRREZmUFVPR2glMkZ4TGh4eGlYWTNQeHY4ZUl3dGJRQ1ZlQWlpdTYxT2trJTNEJnJlc2VydmVkPTAifQ.5MOtNCa4ECeSSkOzE2vR7yEYFjN0Rsarr7L36z2x5jg/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-18</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.teodSPZKYMkaH4TNu-qfNgU36tfgwNFox9yjr3p1PlI/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-19</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.9hH24xq7Pe0I0Njg2x1nKg-kJAFEPxGSdaSJd-4Wo9o/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-20</a>. The recession&nbsp;will be effective June 15th&nbsp;for all except orders 21-16 and 21-20, which will be effective June 30th,&nbsp;and 21-10, which will be effective July 15th, according to a media release from her office.<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA2MTQuNDE5MTc1MjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2dvdmVybm9yLmthbnNhcy5nb3Yvd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMjEvMDYvRU8tMjEtMjMtUmVzY2luZGluZy1DZXJ0YWluLUNvdmlkLTE5LUVPcy1FeGVjdXRlZC5wZGYifQ.Rk36_1TqyXw218ER8WM2Gh5Q4IKuNC-fJ85ELGHvv5M/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">Click here to view Executive Order #21-23&nbsp;</a>“Ending these pandemic executive orders is one of the final actions we will take to end the state of Kansas’ emergency response,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“Moving forward, we will transition to an emergency response focused on getting our kids vaccinated and providing logistical support to local communities for vaccines and continued COVID-19 testing. Without a disaster declaration in place, we undermine our ability to achieve these priorities and objectives. We owe it to Kansans to finish the job and wind down the state of disaster emergency responsibly.”Governor Kelly will leave Executive Orders&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.Vx-CeaYqe170e_wCSM_n0c3Hv9AkklqbgHGz9IbEIjw/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-15</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.Kor2HLYgY3x5-oqyFtUeZVOoX_Q7Nfassd3aiKCEkOw/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-21</a>&nbsp;in effect to support the state’s ongoing role in COVID-19 testing and vaccine administration, which will be critical to increase vaccinations for school-aged children. Executive Order 21-15 is the only mechanism in place to require COVID-19 testing in certain adult care homes licensed by the state. Executive Order 21-21 grants temporary authority to certain medical personnel to administer COVID-19 vaccinations. Continued efforts to vaccinate as many Kansans as quickly as possible will be unnecessarily impeded if it expires.All orders are rescinded at 11:59 p.m. on the relevant date:&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/KSOG/2021/06/4631967/eo-recession_original.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Gov. to rescind 7 pandemic emergency executive orders

DICKINSON COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 11p.m. Saturday in Dickinson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 driven by Nathan T. Peterka, 35, Paola, was northbound on Oat Road one mile south of Hope. 

The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The pickup traveled into the ditch and landed on its top on the eastbound side of K4.

Peterka was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Zeiner Funeral Home. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

DICKINSON COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 11p.m. Saturday in Dickinson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 driven by Nathan T. Peterka, 35, Paola, was northbound on Oat Road one mile south of Hope. The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The pickup traveled into the ditch and landed on its top on the eastbound side of K4.Peterka was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Zeiner Funeral Home. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.