JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman for alleged drug violation.

Just after 11:30a.m. Monday, a sheriff's deputy stopped a 2005 Dodge Magnum for a traffic violation near 126 road on U.S. 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

After an investigation, deputies arrested the driver Amber Lea Rachel Mason, 36, Topeka, on requested charges of meth possession, possession of hallucinogenic drugs, driving while suspended and aggravated child endangerment.

The sheriff's office did not release details on the children and where they were placed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631709154665.png" alt="Mason-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Mason-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman for alleged drug violation.Just after 11:30a.m. Monday, a sheriff's deputy stopped a 2005 Dodge Magnum for a traffic violation near 126 road on U.S. 75, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.After an investigation, deputies arrested the driver Amber Lea Rachel Mason, 36, Topeka, on requested charges of meth possession, possession of hallucinogenic drugs, driving while suspended and aggravated child endangerment.The sheriff's office did not release details on the children and where they were placed.

Kan. woman caught driving with meth, children in car

RENO COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after a high-speed chase in Reno County.

A suspect later identified as 26-year-old Clancy Nelson fled from law enforcement as they tried to make a vehicle stop in&nbsp; Hutchinson, according to the Reno County Sheriff's Department.

Nelson,&nbsp; drove south on Avenue A to U.S. 50 and then east at speeds of up to 90 miles per hour. Deputies were able to force the vehicle off the road near Burrton, where he was taken to the hospital before being taken to jail. 

He faces potential charges of aggravated kidnapping, drug possession and fleeing and eluding. His bond is set at $221,000.&nbsp;

One of two passengers in the vehicle, Heather Smith was also arrested for drug distribution and other warrants. She is jailed on a bond of $28,500. Deputies released a second passenger at the scene.

According to the sheriff's department, the two passengers wanted out of the vehicle during the chase but Nelson refused thus the potential kidnapping charges.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631722267062.png" alt="Nelson has previous convictions for theft, evading a road block and for drugs. He had been on parole since July, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Nelson has previous convictions for theft, evading a road block and for drugs. He had been on parole since July, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects after a high-speed chase in Reno County.A suspect later identified as 26-year-old Clancy Nelson fled from law enforcement as they tried to make a vehicle stop in&nbsp; Hutchinson, according to the Reno County Sheriff's Department.Nelson,&nbsp; drove south on Avenue A to U.S. 50 and then east at speeds of up to 90 miles per hour. Deputies were able to force the vehicle off the road near Burrton, where he was taken to the hospital before being taken to jail. He faces potential charges of aggravated kidnapping, drug possession and fleeing and eluding. His bond is set at $221,000.&nbsp;One of two passengers in the vehicle, Heather Smith was also arrested for drug distribution and other warrants. She is jailed on a bond of $28,500. Deputies released a second passenger at the scene.According to the sheriff's department, the two passengers wanted out of the vehicle during the chase but Nelson refused thus the potential kidnapping charges.&nbsp;

Sheriff: Wanted Kan. felon refused to let passenger out of car during chase 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The search continues for the suspect accused in the nightclub shooting in Wichita that killed one man and injured five women.

During a Wednesday afternoon news conference, members of the community including Wichita Vice Mayor Brandon Johnson asked the suspect 22-year-old Keshawn Dawson to turn himself in. Wichita Police Captain Jason Stephens said authorities do not know where Dawson is in hiding. Police have received information that suggests he may be in south Wichita, according to Stephens.&nbsp; There is a reward of up to $2500 through Crime Stoppers for information in the case that leads to an arrest.&nbsp;

Police say Dawson is armed and dangerous. He was released from prison in December of 2020 after serving time for weapons violations.

Just after 12:30 a.m. Sept. 7, police responded to a shooting call at the Enigma Club, 351 N. Mosley in Wichita.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located multiple victims.&nbsp; They were all transported to an area hospital for medical treatment.&nbsp; One victim identified as 34-year-old Preston Spencer of Wichita died from his injuries. Friends and family held his <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-kendra-and-the-spencer-family?fbclid=IwAR1CeDwwCQIfSCoQNv5hK0sgu10mWuhu3Tv8iapl8Qnv-1Q6hJWoNgFeDag">memorial service</a>&nbsp;on Monday.

The other victims, all women ages, 22, Two age 24, 28 and 40, received non life-threatening injuries, according to Stephens. Most of the injuries were to the legs. One had an injury to an arm and her lower back.&nbsp; All of the women are expected to survive.

The investigation revealed a male suspect identified as Dawson got into a disturbance earlier inside the club and was made to leave.&nbsp; Dawson returned a short time later and fired multiple rounds with a handgun through windows into the club from the outside, striking the victims.

Anyone with information on Dawson is asked to call 911.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631032156553.png" alt="Dawson photo from an earlier arrest in Sedgwick County. He is also&nbsp; wanted on two Felony Sedgwick County warrants and is prohibited from having a firearm, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens." />
 <figcaption>Dawson photo from an earlier arrest in Sedgwick County. He is also&nbsp; wanted on two Felony Sedgwick County warrants and is prohibited from having a firearm, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —The search continues for the suspect accused in the nightclub shooting in Wichita that killed one man and injured five women.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWichitaPolice%2Fvideos%2F415078036812791%2F&show_text=true&width=560&t=30" width="560" height="429" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>During a Wednesday afternoon news conference, members of the community including Wichita Vice Mayor Brandon Johnson asked the suspect 22-year-old Keshawn Dawson to turn himself in. Wichita Police Captain Jason Stephens said authorities do not know where Dawson is in hiding. Police have received information that suggests he may be in south Wichita, according to Stephens.&nbsp; There is a reward of up to $2500 through Crime Stoppers for information in the case that leads to an arrest.&nbsp;Police say Dawson is armed and dangerous. He was released from prison in December of 2020 after serving time for weapons violations.Just after 12:30 a.m. Sept. 7, police responded to a shooting call at the Enigma Club, 351 N. Mosley in Wichita.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located multiple victims.&nbsp; They were all transported to an area hospital for medical treatment.&nbsp; One victim identified as 34-year-old Preston Spencer of Wichita died from his injuries. Friends and family held his <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-kendra-and-the-spencer-family?fbclid=IwAR1CeDwwCQIfSCoQNv5hK0sgu10mWuhu3Tv8iapl8Qnv-1Q6hJWoNgFeDag">memorial service</a>&nbsp;on Monday.The other victims, all women ages, 22, Two age 24, 28 and 40, received non life-threatening injuries, according to Stephens. Most of the injuries were to the legs. One had an injury to an arm and her lower back.&nbsp; All of the women are expected to survive.The investigation revealed a male suspect identified as Dawson got into a disturbance earlier inside the club and was made to leave.&nbsp; Dawson returned a short time later and fired multiple rounds with a handgun through windows into the club from the outside, striking the victims.Anyone with information on Dawson is asked to call 911.---------------

🎥 Community pleads with Kan. shooting suspect to turn himself in

The University of Kansas Health System

The number of active COVID patients at The
 University of Kansas Health System is steady Wednesday. 38 patients with 
the active virus are being treated, the same as yesterday. Only five of 
those 38 are vaccinated. 16 patients are in the ICU, up from 13 
yesterday and only one of those patients is vaccinated.

Nine are on 
ventilators, up from seven yesterday. 40 other patients are still 
hospitalized because of COVID but are out of the acute infection phase, 
down from 41 yesterday. That’s a total of 78 patients, down from 79 
yesterday. HaysMed has 15 total patients, up from 14 yesterday.

Today, 
another episode of Open Mics With Dr. Stites. Steve Stites, MD, chief 
medical officer at The University of Kansas Health System, was joined by
 Colette Lasack, Vice President of Revenue Cycle at the health system. 
They took a close look at how insurance is changing for COVID patients.&nbsp;

Lasack revealed an eye-popping
 number. She says it’s common for a COVID patient who’s been 
hospitalized for several weeks with intensive and extraordinary care to 
end up with a bill of more than one million dollars. Some have been more
 than two million dollars. How is anyone supposed to pay that staggering
 amount back? In her words, “You don’t.” 

She explained how the health 
system does everything possible to help patients secure coverage, and 
says there’s a high discount rate for the uninsured, but sometimes that 
still leaves people with a bill of a hundred thousand dollars, which is 
still impossible for many to pay. In that case, when all other avenues 
are exhausted, sometimes the health system has to write off the bill as 
charity care. That puts a burden on the whole system. She says most 
people don’t realize how COVID can be financially devastating for 
patients and their families, especially for those younger patients who 
might not be able to go back to work for a long time, if ever. 

She 
mentioned things aren’t likely to get better for insurance as many 
companies are starting to end their initial practice of waiving 
deductibles and copays for COVID treatment. That’s because they are 
starting to treat COVID as a preventable disease, and the unvaccinated 
may have to pay more for insurance, similar to smokers, because they are
 at higher risk. That’s already happening for employees of Delta 
Airlines, and she says that’s an employer’s choice. Lasack also 
mentioned long haul patients, and said for now there is no special 
coverage for them beyond their normal insurance if they have it. The 
only things for which there is still no cost is COVID testing, 
vaccination, and treatment such as monoclonal antibodies. She urges 
everyone who is resisting the vaccine or even wearing a mask to think 
about your risk and the consequences of your behavior. She says, 
“Consider not only your health but also your financial health and what 
this could mean to you and your family.”

Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control at The University of Kansas Health System, pointed to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7036e2.htm?s_cid=mm7036e2_w">recent CDC findings</a>
 that even with Delta, fully vaccinated people have a reduced risk of 
infection by five times, they had a reduced risk of hospitalization by 
ten times and a reduced risk of death by more than 10 times. To those 
who worry about reports of blood clots and myocarditis from the vaccine,
 especially in teens, he says those cases are extremely rare. He says 
the risk of those conditions from getting COVID is much higher and the 
effects much more severe. He urges parents not to be swayed by protests 
and demonstrations against masks in schools, saying there is good real 
world evidence from large random controlled trials that masks work to 
keep COVID from spreading. He thinks increased vaccination is helping 
with the current downward trend of hospitalizations.

Dr. Stites says the biggest 
threat of unvaccinated people is that we can’t get back to real life. He
 believes the reason we’re not succeeding with the pandemic in the U.S. 
is not that we don’t have a way out. It’s those who refuse to follow the
 science and do the right thing. 

He says, “For all those folks who said 
it wasn’t safe, there are two billion doses that say it’s overwhelmingly
 safe, and it’s much safer than having COVID.” To those who say masks 
and vaccinations are unconstitutional, he points out the Constitution 
says with freedom comes responsibility. 

“At some point we have to quit 
fighting about whether COVID is real. Of course it’s real.” He asks, “At
 what point is it not OK to have an increasingly smaller group of 
individuals keep the rest of society hostage from getting back to normal
 life?” 

He stresses that vaccinated patients don’t die, they spread the 
virus to a much lesser degree and vaccinated countries like Denmark with
 a 75 percent vaccination rate are able to lift restrictions and reopen 
society. “Vaccination is safe and it’s effective and it works.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584374089535.png" alt="Steve Stites, MD, Chief Medical Officer" />
 <figcaption>Steve Stites, MD, Chief Medical Officer</figcaption>
 </figure>The University of Kansas Health SystemThe number of active COVID patients at The
 University of Kansas Health System is steady Wednesday. 38 patients with 
the active virus are being treated, the same as yesterday. Only five of 
those 38 are vaccinated. 16 patients are in the ICU, up from 13 
yesterday and only one of those patients is vaccinated.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5wKYHa2ckvY?start=68" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Nine are on 
ventilators, up from seven yesterday. 40 other patients are still 
hospitalized because of COVID but are out of the acute infection phase, 
down from 41 yesterday. That’s a total of 78 patients, down from 79 
yesterday. HaysMed has 15 total patients, up from 14 yesterday.Today, 
another episode of Open Mics With Dr. Stites. Steve Stites, MD, chief 
medical officer at The University of Kansas Health System, was joined by
 Colette Lasack, Vice President of Revenue Cycle at the health system. 
They took a close look at how insurance is changing for COVID patients.&nbsp;Lasack revealed an eye-popping
 number. She says it’s common for a COVID patient who’s been 
hospitalized for several weeks with intensive and extraordinary care to 
end up with a bill of more than one million dollars. Some have been more
 than two million dollars. How is anyone supposed to pay that staggering
 amount back? In her words, “You don’t.” She explained how the health 
system does everything possible to help patients secure coverage, and 
says there’s a high discount rate for the uninsured, but sometimes that 
still leaves people with a bill of a hundred thousand dollars, which is 
still impossible for many to pay. In that case, when all other avenues 
are exhausted, sometimes the health system has to write off the bill as 
charity care. That puts a burden on the whole system. She says most 
people don’t realize how COVID can be financially devastating for 
patients and their families, especially for those younger patients who 
might not be able to go back to work for a long time, if ever. She 
mentioned things aren’t likely to get better for insurance as many 
companies are starting to end their initial practice of waiving 
deductibles and copays for COVID treatment. That’s because they are 
starting to treat COVID as a preventable disease, and the unvaccinated 
may have to pay more for insurance, similar to smokers, because they are
 at higher risk. That’s already happening for employees of Delta 
Airlines, and she says that’s an employer’s choice. Lasack also 
mentioned long haul patients, and said for now there is no special 
coverage for them beyond their normal insurance if they have it. The 
only things for which there is still no cost is COVID testing, 
vaccination, and treatment such as monoclonal antibodies. She urges 
everyone who is resisting the vaccine or even wearing a mask to think 
about your risk and the consequences of your behavior. She says, 
“Consider not only your health but also your financial health and what 
this could mean to you and your family.”Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control at The University of Kansas Health System, pointed to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7036e2.htm?s_cid=mm7036e2_w">recent CDC findings</a>
 that even with Delta, fully vaccinated people have a reduced risk of 
infection by five times, they had a reduced risk of hospitalization by 
ten times and a reduced risk of death by more than 10 times. To those 
who worry about reports of blood clots and myocarditis from the vaccine,
 especially in teens, he says those cases are extremely rare. He says 
the risk of those conditions from getting COVID is much higher and the 
effects much more severe. He urges parents not to be swayed by protests 
and demonstrations against masks in schools, saying there is good real 
world evidence from large random controlled trials that masks work to 
keep COVID from spreading. He thinks increased vaccination is helping 
with the current downward trend of hospitalizations.Dr. Stites says the biggest 
threat of unvaccinated people is that we can’t get back to real life. He
 believes the reason we’re not succeeding with the pandemic in the U.S. 
is not that we don’t have a way out. It’s those who refuse to follow the
 science and do the right thing. He says, “For all those folks who said 
it wasn’t safe, there are two billion doses that say it’s overwhelmingly
 safe, and it’s much safer than having COVID.” To those who say masks 
and vaccinations are unconstitutional, he points out the Constitution 
says with freedom comes responsibility. “At some point we have to quit 
fighting about whether COVID is real. Of course it’s real.” He asks, “At
 what point is it not OK to have an increasingly smaller group of 
individuals keep the rest of society hostage from getting back to normal
 life?” He stresses that vaccinated patients don’t die, they spread the 
virus to a much lesser degree and vaccinated countries like Denmark with
 a 75 percent vaccination rate are able to lift restrictions and reopen 
society. “Vaccination is safe and it’s effective and it works.”

🎥 Expert: COVID treatment can ring up bills of $1-2M for patients 

DOVER, Del. (AP) — One of the primary insurers of the Boy Scouts of America announced Tuesday that it has reached a tentative settlement agreement with the organization and with attorneys representing tens of thousands of men who say they were molested decades ago by scoutmasters and others.

Under the agreement, insurance company The Hartford will pay $787 million into a fund to be established for the men, the company said in a news release. In exchange for the payment, the Boy Scouts organization and its local councils have agreed to release The Hartford from further liability regarding sexual abuse claims.

Under a separate settlement, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has agreed to pay $250 million into the fund for abuse claimants, said church spokesman Eric Hawkins. The denomination, commonly known as the Mormon church, was the largest single sponsor of Boy Scout troops before ending its partnership with the BSA at the beginning of last year.

The proposed settlements are part of an ongoing effort by the Boy Scouts, which declared bankruptcy in February 2020, to forge a reorganization plan that must win approval by a majority of abuse victims and the court. Attorneys are still trying to negotiate a settlement with the Boy Scouts’ other major insurer, Century Indemnity.

The proposed settlements are opposed by the official victims committee appointed by the U.S. bankruptcy trustee, as well as law firms separately representing hundreds of men who have filed sexual abuse claims. Representatives of the official victims committee described the proposed settlements as “grossly unfair.”

“The only winners in this latest proposal are the Boy Scouts, their local councils, the Mormon Church, and the Hartford insurance company,” Michael Pfau, an attorney whose firm represents more than 1,000 abuse claimants in the bankruptcy, said in a prepared statement.

“The Boy Scouts are offering abuse survivors a fraction of what their cases are worth and the assets available to pay them,” Pfau added. “The Mormon church is reported to have roughly $100 billion in assets, but it is offering a paltry $250 million to compensate the thousands of abuse survivors who were abused in Mormon Boy Scout troops by Mormon Scout leaders.”

The proposed settlements will be incorporated into a new reorganization plan that attorneys for the Boy Scouts were expected to file late Tuesday night.

The new agreement with The Hartford was negotiated after the bankruptcy judge last month rejected two key provisions of an $850 million deal that the BSA had reached with attorneys representing a majority of abuse claimants.

Judge Laura Selber Silverstein denied the BSA’s request as part of that deal for permission to withdraw from a previous $650 million settlement it had reached with The Hartford. The Boy Scouts sought to withdraw from that April agreement after attorneys for abuse claimants repeatedly insisted that their clients would never vote for a reorganization plan that included it.

Silverstein also rejected a proposal for the Boy Scouts to pay millions of dollars in legal fees and expenses of attorneys hired by a coalition of law firms that represent tens of thousands of abuse claimants. The judge noted that any such payment would come out of the pockets of abuse claimants themselves.

The new settlement with The Hartford was the product of negotiations that included attorneys representing an ad hoc group called the Coalition of Abused Scouts for Justice. Law firms affiliated with the group represent more than 60,000 sex abuse claimants.

“These are very significant developments,” said Ken Rothweiler, whose law firm is affiliated with the coalition and represents roughly 16,800 abuse claimants.

The proposed settlements, coupled with the $850 million contribution from the BSA and local councils, would bring the fund for abuse claimants to almost $1.9 billion. If the plan is approved, it would represent one of the largest sex-abuse settlements in U.S. history.

Meanwhile, the official victims committee has estimated the total liability exposure of Boy Scouts insurers for abuse claims at more than $100 billion.

The committee supported the previous arrangement, which called for the earlier settlement with The Hartford to be scrapped and for the Boy Scouts and local BSA councils, which run day-to-day operations for Boy Scout troops, to contribute $850 million and their rights to insurance policies to the fund for abuse claimants. The committee noted that the primary value for abuse survivors under that deal would come from available insurance coverage.

Insurance companies pushed back hard against that plan, arguing that the proposed transfer of insurance rights unlawfully stripped them of their ability to question claims and improperly allowed the trustee overseeing the victims fund to determine what insurers owed without being challenged. Insurers also questioned a provision allowing expedited payments of $3,500 from the fund to resolve abuse claims, no questions asked.

DOVER, Del. (AP) — One of the primary insurers of the Boy Scouts of America announced Tuesday that it has reached a tentative settlement agreement with the organization and with attorneys representing tens of thousands of men who say they were molested decades ago by scoutmasters and others.Under the agreement, insurance company The Hartford will pay $787 million into a fund to be established for the men, the company said in a news release. In exchange for the payment, the Boy Scouts organization and its local councils have agreed to release The Hartford from further liability regarding sexual abuse claims.Under a separate settlement, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has agreed to pay $250 million into the fund for abuse claimants, said church spokesman Eric Hawkins. The denomination, commonly known as the Mormon church, was the largest single sponsor of Boy Scout troops before ending its partnership with the BSA at the beginning of last year.The proposed settlements are part of an ongoing effort by the Boy Scouts, which declared bankruptcy in February 2020, to forge a reorganization plan that must win approval by a majority of abuse victims and the court. Attorneys are still trying to negotiate a settlement with the Boy Scouts’ other major insurer, Century Indemnity.The proposed settlements are opposed by the official victims committee appointed by the U.S. bankruptcy trustee, as well as law firms separately representing hundreds of men who have filed sexual abuse claims. Representatives of the official victims committee described the proposed settlements as “grossly unfair.”“The only winners in this latest proposal are the Boy Scouts, their local councils, the Mormon Church, and the Hartford insurance company,” Michael Pfau, an attorney whose firm represents more than 1,000 abuse claimants in the bankruptcy, said in a prepared statement.“The Boy Scouts are offering abuse survivors a fraction of what their cases are worth and the assets available to pay them,” Pfau added. “The Mormon church is reported to have roughly $100 billion in assets, but it is offering a paltry $250 million to compensate the thousands of abuse survivors who were abused in Mormon Boy Scout troops by Mormon Scout leaders.”The proposed settlements will be incorporated into a new reorganization plan that attorneys for the Boy Scouts were expected to file late Tuesday night.The new agreement with The Hartford was negotiated after the bankruptcy judge last month rejected two key provisions of an $850 million deal that the BSA had reached with attorneys representing a majority of abuse claimants.Judge Laura Selber Silverstein denied the BSA’s request as part of that deal for permission to withdraw from a previous $650 million settlement it had reached with The Hartford. The Boy Scouts sought to withdraw from that April agreement after attorneys for abuse claimants repeatedly insisted that their clients would never vote for a reorganization plan that included it.Silverstein also rejected a proposal for the Boy Scouts to pay millions of dollars in legal fees and expenses of attorneys hired by a coalition of law firms that represent tens of thousands of abuse claimants. The judge noted that any such payment would come out of the pockets of abuse claimants themselves.The new settlement with The Hartford was the product of negotiations that included attorneys representing an ad hoc group called the Coalition of Abused Scouts for Justice. Law firms affiliated with the group represent more than 60,000 sex abuse claimants.“These are very significant developments,” said Ken Rothweiler, whose law firm is affiliated with the coalition and represents roughly 16,800 abuse claimants.The proposed settlements, coupled with the $850 million contribution from the BSA and local councils, would bring the fund for abuse claimants to almost $1.9 billion. If the plan is approved, it would represent one of the largest sex-abuse settlements in U.S. history.Meanwhile, the official victims committee has estimated the total liability exposure of Boy Scouts insurers for abuse claims at more than $100 billion.The committee supported the previous arrangement, which called for the earlier settlement with The Hartford to be scrapped and for the Boy Scouts and local BSA councils, which run day-to-day operations for Boy Scout troops, to contribute $850 million and their rights to insurance policies to the fund for abuse claimants. The committee noted that the primary value for abuse survivors under that deal would come from available insurance coverage.Insurance companies pushed back hard against that plan, arguing that the proposed transfer of insurance rights unlawfully stripped them of their ability to question claims and improperly allowed the trustee overseeing the victims fund to determine what insurers owed without being challenged. Insurers also questioned a provision allowing expedited payments of $3,500 from the fund to resolve abuse claims, no questions asked.

Sex abuse claim: Boy Scouts settlements reached with insurer

KANSAS CITY (AP) —The new federal vaccine requirement announced by President Joe Biden has created another worry for large businesses: With help wanted signs up almost everywhere, some could lose valuable employees or won’t be able to find new ones.

Biden announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-executive-branch-18fb12993f05be13bf760946a6fb89be">sweeping new orders</a>&nbsp;last week that will require employers with more than 100 workers to mandate vaccinations against COVID-19 or offer weekly testing. The new rules could affect as many as 100 million Americans, although it’s not clear how many of those people are currently unvaccinated.

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, says the vaccine mandate could go a long way to boost the economy.

“The evidence across countries is that more vaccinations means fewer infections, hospitalizations and deaths, which in turn means a stronger economy,” he said.

But even those who favor Biden’s decision as a way to stop the coronavirus from spreading further are afraid that vaccination-averse workers will quit, or job seekers won’t apply for their openings. Some workers may also switch to smaller companies where shots in the arm aren’t required.

“In a tight marketplace, it’s very difficult to find employees, much less to keep our current employees,” said Jonathan Chariff, CEO of South Motors, a group of 12 auto dealerships in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area with more than 1,100 workers. “It’s easy for them to go and find another job elsewhere.”

To be sure, the mandate could make some employees more comfortable working with others in tight spaces. Indeed, Chariff said his company supports Biden’s move and wants to make sure all workers are vaccinated to keep them safe, especially after two employees died from the virus. However, the company decided against requiring them because of the labor shortage. Right now, Chariff has 80 to 100 openings.

Karl Wadensten, CEO of Richmond, Rhode Island-based VIBCO Vibrators, was an early adopter of masks, weekly virus testing and temperature checks at his manufacturing business and has encouraged vaccinations, but fears he’d lose employees if he forced them to get the jab.

Wadensten, whose company makes industrial vibrators used in dump trucks and other applications, said Friday he is waiting for more clarity about what the Biden orders will mean for his business, which has a small number of government contracts. His workforce has been hovering just above and below 100 employees, of whom about 85% are vaccinated.

“For that other 15%, it would be detrimental to their beliefs and values that they have,” he said.

Conversely, smaller companies see being exempt as an advantage. Like other businesses, Alan Dietrich, CEO of Crater Lake Spirits in Bend, Oregon, is facing staff shortages. He has a 36 workers, with an immediate need for two or three more.

“Being left out of the mandate is helpful for hiring,” he said. “We are still finding that a small but meaningful number of people in our area are vaccine hesitant, and staffing is so tough that even one person is significant to us.”

On the other hand, he said, the business is more susceptible to slowdowns or shutdowns due to positive tests. But a statewide mask mandate in Oregon “definitely helps keep our staff safer,” he said.

The Associated Press reached out to a wide range of companies since Thursday’s announcement. Many, like General Motors and Ford, said they favor vaccines but were analyzing the executive order. Others noted that they already require vaccinations.

Walmart, the nation’s largest private employer, was one of the first major companies to mandate vaccines for workers at its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, and its managers who travel within the U.S. must be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 4. But it excluded front-line workers such as cashiers, who according to the company have a lower vaccination rate than management.

The tech industry has largely been at the forefront of vaccine requirements, making the sector in general a likely supporter of Biden’s policy on the issue. In late July, Google became one of the first major U.S. employers to decide all its workers needed to be vaccinated before returning to the office. Facebook quickly adopted a similar policy a few hours after Google took its hard stand on vaccines.

Angela B. Cornell, a clinical professor at Cornell Law School who focuses on labor law, said the mandates are a positive step for businesses.

“This shift will make it a lot easier for employers to push those individuals who have been on the fence or who have been opposed,” she said.

Companies won’t have to worry about being sued, since it’s a government mandate and not one from the employer, she said.

Per Biden’s order, the millions who work as employees of the executive branch and contractors who do business with the federal government won’t have the option to get tested instead of taking the vaccine. The order also requires large companies to provide paid time off for vaccination.

Those who don’t work for federal contractors and are afraid of the vaccine can choose weekly testing instead, but many people who are simply hesitant are more likely to get immunized, said Dorit Reiss, a professor at the University of California Hastings College of the Law who has studied vaccine mandates for nearly a decade.

“The testing is sufficiently burdensome that most of them would prefer just to be vaccinated,” she said.

Half of American workers favor of vaccine requirements at their workplaces, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-business-health-travel-coronavirus-pandemic-1afb2682d6e08cdb54c5131f967f278a">poll from The Associated Press-NORC</a>&nbsp;Center for Public Affairs Research. Such mandates have already been gaining traction following the Food and Drug Administration’s full approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines from Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson are available under emergency authorization, but haven’t been formally approved.

Cole Stevenson, an assembly line worker at Ford’s pickup truck plant in Dearborn, Michigan, said the requirement is a “huge overreach” by the government. He hasn’t been vaccinated and is concerned that the vaccines were released before being properly tested.

“They just haven’t done as much as they should have to be putting it into people now,” said Stevenson, who plans to get tested weekly rather than get vaccinated. “I just don’t trust it.”

The COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the U.S. have in fact been proven safe and remarkably effective against the worst outcomes of the disease in studies of tens of thousands of people and in following their real-world performance.

More than 177 million Americans are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, but confirmed cases of the virus have shot up in recent weeks. They’ve now reached an average of about 140,000 cases per day.

On average, about 1,000 Americans die from the virus daily, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 650,000 Americans have died from the virus since January of 2020, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Britton Durbin, a utility worker in Dunnellon, Florida, who is vaccinated, said mandates are needed to make sure workers are safe and the power company he works for can operate without being interrupted by people getting sick. His company hasn’t mandated vaccines yet, but has encouraged them. In the last couple of months, three colleagues have died of COVID-19.

“When I know my co-workers are vaccinated, it’s reassuring,” said Durbin, 32. “There’s less of a chance of them getting sick or passing on.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631221419994.png" alt="President Biden's new rules could affect as many as 100 million Americans, although it’s not clear how many of those people are currently unvaccinated-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden's new rules could affect as many as 100 million Americans, although it’s not clear how many of those people are currently unvaccinated-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —The new federal vaccine requirement announced by President Joe Biden has created another worry for large businesses: With help wanted signs up almost everywhere, some could lose valuable employees or won’t be able to find new ones.Biden announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-executive-branch-18fb12993f05be13bf760946a6fb89be">sweeping new orders</a>&nbsp;last week that will require employers with more than 100 workers to mandate vaccinations against COVID-19 or offer weekly testing. The new rules could affect as many as 100 million Americans, although it’s not clear how many of those people are currently unvaccinated.Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, says the vaccine mandate could go a long way to boost the economy.“The evidence across countries is that more vaccinations means fewer infections, hospitalizations and deaths, which in turn means a stronger economy,” he said.But even those who favor Biden’s decision as a way to stop the coronavirus from spreading further are afraid that vaccination-averse workers will quit, or job seekers won’t apply for their openings. Some workers may also switch to smaller companies where shots in the arm aren’t required.“In a tight marketplace, it’s very difficult to find employees, much less to keep our current employees,” said Jonathan Chariff, CEO of South Motors, a group of 12 auto dealerships in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area with more than 1,100 workers. “It’s easy for them to go and find another job elsewhere.”To be sure, the mandate could make some employees more comfortable working with others in tight spaces. Indeed, Chariff said his company supports Biden’s move and wants to make sure all workers are vaccinated to keep them safe, especially after two employees died from the virus. However, the company decided against requiring them because of the labor shortage. Right now, Chariff has 80 to 100 openings.Karl Wadensten, CEO of Richmond, Rhode Island-based VIBCO Vibrators, was an early adopter of masks, weekly virus testing and temperature checks at his manufacturing business and has encouraged vaccinations, but fears he’d lose employees if he forced them to get the jab.Wadensten, whose company makes industrial vibrators used in dump trucks and other applications, said Friday he is waiting for more clarity about what the Biden orders will mean for his business, which has a small number of government contracts. His workforce has been hovering just above and below 100 employees, of whom about 85% are vaccinated.“For that other 15%, it would be detrimental to their beliefs and values that they have,” he said.Conversely, smaller companies see being exempt as an advantage. Like other businesses, Alan Dietrich, CEO of Crater Lake Spirits in Bend, Oregon, is facing staff shortages. He has a 36 workers, with an immediate need for two or three more.“Being left out of the mandate is helpful for hiring,” he said. “We are still finding that a small but meaningful number of people in our area are vaccine hesitant, and staffing is so tough that even one person is significant to us.”On the other hand, he said, the business is more susceptible to slowdowns or shutdowns due to positive tests. But a statewide mask mandate in Oregon “definitely helps keep our staff safer,” he said.The Associated Press reached out to a wide range of companies since Thursday’s announcement. Many, like General Motors and Ford, said they favor vaccines but were analyzing the executive order. Others noted that they already require vaccinations.Walmart, the nation’s largest private employer, was one of the first major companies to mandate vaccines for workers at its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, and its managers who travel within the U.S. must be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 4. But it excluded front-line workers such as cashiers, who according to the company have a lower vaccination rate than management.The tech industry has largely been at the forefront of vaccine requirements, making the sector in general a likely supporter of Biden’s policy on the issue. In late July, Google became one of the first major U.S. employers to decide all its workers needed to be vaccinated before returning to the office. Facebook quickly adopted a similar policy a few hours after Google took its hard stand on vaccines.Angela B. Cornell, a clinical professor at Cornell Law School who focuses on labor law, said the mandates are a positive step for businesses.“This shift will make it a lot easier for employers to push those individuals who have been on the fence or who have been opposed,” she said.Companies won’t have to worry about being sued, since it’s a government mandate and not one from the employer, she said.Per Biden’s order, the millions who work as employees of the executive branch and contractors who do business with the federal government won’t have the option to get tested instead of taking the vaccine. The order also requires large companies to provide paid time off for vaccination.Those who don’t work for federal contractors and are afraid of the vaccine can choose weekly testing instead, but many people who are simply hesitant are more likely to get immunized, said Dorit Reiss, a professor at the University of California Hastings College of the Law who has studied vaccine mandates for nearly a decade.“The testing is sufficiently burdensome that most of them would prefer just to be vaccinated,” she said.Half of American workers favor of vaccine requirements at their workplaces, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-business-health-travel-coronavirus-pandemic-1afb2682d6e08cdb54c5131f967f278a">poll from The Associated Press-NORC</a>&nbsp;Center for Public Affairs Research. Such mandates have already been gaining traction following the Food and Drug Administration’s full approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines from Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson are available under emergency authorization, but haven’t been formally approved.Cole Stevenson, an assembly line worker at Ford’s pickup truck plant in Dearborn, Michigan, said the requirement is a “huge overreach” by the government. He hasn’t been vaccinated and is concerned that the vaccines were released before being properly tested.“They just haven’t done as much as they should have to be putting it into people now,” said Stevenson, who plans to get tested weekly rather than get vaccinated. “I just don’t trust it.”The COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the U.S. have in fact been proven safe and remarkably effective against the worst outcomes of the disease in studies of tens of thousands of people and in following their real-world performance.More than 177 million Americans are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, but confirmed cases of the virus have shot up in recent weeks. They’ve now reached an average of about 140,000 cases per day.On average, about 1,000 Americans die from the virus daily, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 650,000 Americans have died from the virus since January of 2020, according to Johns Hopkins University.Britton Durbin, a utility worker in Dunnellon, Florida, who is vaccinated, said mandates are needed to make sure workers are safe and the power company he works for can operate without being interrupted by people getting sick. His company hasn’t mandated vaccines yet, but has encouraged them. In the last couple of months, three colleagues have died of COVID-19.“When I know my co-workers are vaccinated, it’s reassuring,” said Durbin, 32. “There’s less of a chance of them getting sick or passing on.”____

Vaccine mandate spawns new fear: Finding, keeping workers

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 3,665 to a total of 393,696 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 28 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5,801.&nbsp;

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

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;

Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases* (see below) in Kansas increased by 3,665 to a total of 393,696 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 28 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5,801.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631725414770.png" alt="Wednesday September 15, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday September 15, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.As of August 1, 2021, in accordance with an&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">updated CDC/CSTE surveillance case definition</a>, a confirmed case is defined as a person who tested positive by molecular detection (e.g., PCR, NAA) or identification of SARS-CoV-2 through genetic sequencing. A probable case is defined as a person with: a) presumptive lab evidence (antigen) or b) no lab testing but meeting clinical case criteria and is epi-linked. A person will be counted as a new surveillance case (e.g. reinfection) if they test positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a diagnostic test (i.e., molecular, antigen) and it has been greater than 90 days since the previous positive diagnostic test. In addition, a person with sequencing results identifying different SARS-CoV-2 lineages regardless of the time since the previous specimen sequenced will be counted as a new surveillance case.&nbsp;Cases occurring between&nbsp;September 1, 2020&nbsp;and July 29, 2021 were classified by&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/conditions/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/" target="_blank">previous CDC/CSTE case definition,&nbsp;</a>and cases prior to September 1, 2020 were classified by the&nbsp;<a href="https://ndc.services.cdc.gov/case-definitions/coronavirus-disease-2019-2020/" target="_blank">original case definition</a>.

KDHE: 28 more COVID deaths, 3,600 new cases

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514546-1/gymnasts-fbi-director-testify-larry-nassar-sexual-assault-investigation&amp;live=">CLICK here to watch </a>a replay of the statements from Simone Biles and the other gymnasts.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles told Congress on Wednesday that “enough is enough” in emotional testimony along with other young gymnasts about her sexual abuse at the hands of USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.

Biles blamed not only the gymnastics organization but also federal law enforcement that “turned a blind eye” to the crimes as hundreds of young athletes were abused.

“I blame Larry Nassar and I also blame an entire system that enabled and perpetrated his abuse,” Biles said through tears in her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. She said USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee “knew that I was abused by their official team doctor long before I was ever made aware of their knowledge.”

McKayla Maroney, another gold medal winning gymnast, told senators that one night when she was 15 years old, she found the doctor on top of her while she was naked — one of many times she was abused. She said she thought she was going to die that evening.

Maroney said the FBI “minimized and disregarded” her after she reported Nassar and said the agency delayed the investigation as others were abused. “If they’re not going to protect me, I want to know who are they trying to protect,” she said.

She added: “I think for so long all of us questioned, just because someone else wasn’t fully validating us, that we doubted what happened to us. And I think that makes the healing process take longer.”

The hearing is part of a congressional effort to hold the FBI accountable after multiple missteps in investigating the case, including the delays that allowed Nassar to abuse additional young gymnasts. An internal investigation by the Justice Department released in July said that the FBI made fundamental errors in the probe and did not treat the case with the “utmost seriousness” after USA Gymnastics first reported the allegations to the FBI’s field office in Indianapolis in 2015. The FBI has acknowledged its own conduct was inexcusable as at least 40 girls and women said they were molested while the FBI was aware of the problem.

Biles and Maroney were joined by Aly Raisman, another Olympic gold medalist, and gymnast Maggie Nicols. Raisman said it “disgusts me” that they are still looking for answers six years after the original allegations against Nassar were reported.

“We just can’t fix a problem we don’t understand, and we can’t understand the problem unless and until we have all of the facts,” Raisman said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631722987090.png" alt="“I blame Larry Nassar and I also blame an entire system that enabled and perpetrated his abuse,” Biles said through tears.-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>“I blame Larry Nassar and I also blame an entire system that enabled and perpetrated his abuse,” Biles said through tears.-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?514546-1/gymnasts-fbi-director-testify-larry-nassar-sexual-assault-investigation&amp;live=">CLICK here to watch </a>a replay of the statements from Simone Biles and the other gymnasts.WASHINGTON (AP) — Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles told Congress on Wednesday that “enough is enough” in emotional testimony along with other young gymnasts about her sexual abuse at the hands of USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.Biles blamed not only the gymnastics organization but also federal law enforcement that “turned a blind eye” to the crimes as hundreds of young athletes were abused.“I blame Larry Nassar and I also blame an entire system that enabled and perpetrated his abuse,” Biles said through tears in her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. She said USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee “knew that I was abused by their official team doctor long before I was ever made aware of their knowledge.”McKayla Maroney, another gold medal winning gymnast, told senators that one night when she was 15 years old, she found the doctor on top of her while she was naked — one of many times she was abused. She said she thought she was going to die that evening.Maroney said the FBI “minimized and disregarded” her after she reported Nassar and said the agency delayed the investigation as others were abused. “If they’re not going to protect me, I want to know who are they trying to protect,” she said.She added: “I think for so long all of us questioned, just because someone else wasn’t fully validating us, that we doubted what happened to us. And I think that makes the healing process take longer.”The hearing is part of a congressional effort to hold the FBI accountable after multiple missteps in investigating the case, including the delays that allowed Nassar to abuse additional young gymnasts. An internal investigation by the Justice Department released in July said that the FBI made fundamental errors in the probe and did not treat the case with the “utmost seriousness” after USA Gymnastics first reported the allegations to the FBI’s field office in Indianapolis in 2015. The FBI has acknowledged its own conduct was inexcusable as at least 40 girls and women said they were molested while the FBI was aware of the problem.Biles and Maroney were joined by Aly Raisman, another Olympic gold medalist, and gymnast Maggie Nicols. Raisman said it “disgusts me” that they are still looking for answers six years after the original allegations against Nassar were reported.“We just can’t fix a problem we don’t understand, and we can’t understand the problem unless and until we have all of the facts,” Raisman said.

🎥 Biles tells Congress FBI ignored gymnasts' report of abuse

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities cleaned up a large diesel spill Tuesday night in Topeka.

Just before 11p.m., fire crews responded to a diesel spill located at Mars Chocolate, 100 SW Mars Boulevard, according to Public Information Officer Alan Stahl.&nbsp;

Crews found a large diesel fuel spill caused by a crushed fuel tank on a refrigerator trailer. Mars staff members had contained the spill before the arrival of fire crews. 

Topeka firefighters assisted facility staff in controlling and monitoring the spill until a tow truck had moved the damaged trailer and no more fuel would spill. Fire crews then turned the scene over to Mars employees so they could continue the cleanup.

A preliminary investigation showed the cause of the spill was the trailer coming unhooked from the vehicle moving it, causing the landing gear (jacks) to collapse and crush the fuel tank. The estimated fuel spilled was 80 gallons.

The fuel spill was contained on paved surfaces and did not enter any drains or damage the environment, according to Stahl.&nbsp;

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Authorities cleaned up a large diesel spill Tuesday night in Topeka.Just before 11p.m., fire crews responded to a diesel spill located at Mars Chocolate, 100 SW Mars Boulevard, according to Public Information Officer Alan Stahl.&nbsp;Crews found a large diesel fuel spill caused by a crushed fuel tank on a refrigerator trailer. Mars staff members had contained the spill before the arrival of fire crews. Topeka firefighters assisted facility staff in controlling and monitoring the spill until a tow truck had moved the damaged trailer and no more fuel would spill. Fire crews then turned the scene over to Mars employees so they could continue the cleanup.A preliminary investigation showed the cause of the spill was the trailer coming unhooked from the vehicle moving it, causing the landing gear (jacks) to collapse and crush the fuel tank. The estimated fuel spilled was 80 gallons.The fuel spill was contained on paved surfaces and did not enter any drains or damage the environment, according to Stahl.&nbsp;

Employees, fire crews contain large diesel spill at Kan. plant

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’s state animal — the buffalo — is being celebrated at the State Fair this year with a 700-pound butter sculpture.

A sculptor from Iowa, Sarah Pratt, had to do some research on buffaloes before she designed this year’s butter statue.

Pratt said that if she winds up with any extra butter out of the 700 pounds she has to work with she may add a buffalo calf or some sunflowers.

Pratt, who teaches school by day, lives in West Des Moines with her husband and three children, all of whom help her out with sculpting - from the Kansas State Fair to fairs in Iowa or Illinois.

Pratt said she enjoys all state fairs and each one is a little different. And she said sculpting inside a 36-degree cooler is always a labor of love.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631716003914.png" alt="The State Fair continues through Sunday Sept. 19 -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>The State Fair continues through Sunday Sept. 19 -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’s state animal — the buffalo — is being celebrated at the State Fair this year with a 700-pound butter sculpture.A sculptor from Iowa, Sarah Pratt, had to do some research on buffaloes before she designed this year’s butter statue.Pratt said that if she winds up with any extra butter out of the 700 pounds she has to work with she may add a buffalo calf or some sunflowers.Pratt, who teaches school by day, lives in West Des Moines with her husband and three children, all of whom help her out with sculpting - from the Kansas State Fair to fairs in Iowa or Illinois.Pratt said she enjoys all state fairs and each one is a little different. And she said sculpting inside a 36-degree cooler is always a labor of love.

Buffalo carved from butter featured at Kansas State Fair

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Hundreds of people chanted and held signs outside a University of Kansas fraternity house where a member is accused of sexually assaulting another student.

The&nbsp;Monday night protest outside the Phi Kappa Psi house came after the fraternity officials reported the allegations over the weekend.

University Chancellor Douglas Girod said a statement Tuesday that fraternity leaders have been cooperative.

“First, we want to say we appreciate that so many members of our community were moved to gather in support of combatting sexual assault,” Girod said. “Sadly, sexual assault continues to be pervasive in our society, and we are heartened to know that so many of you feel compelled to engage on this topic.”

He added that the university takes seriously all reports of sexual assault. The university has “robust processes” to investigate reported instances and hold accountable those individuals and organizations that violate university policies. He also noted the university has a number of resources to assist survivors of sexual violence.

The Lawrence Kansas Police Department responded to what was initially reported as a trespassing in progress, and encountered several hundred people engaged in protest, police said in a news release. Law enforcement agencies maintained a presence for the duration of the protest to ensure “the safety of everyone involved.”

No arrests were made and no injuries were reported, police said.

The police department also denied social media claims that it had used pepper spray on protestors, saying this was done by private security personnel in advance of police arrival.

A spokesman for the fraternity said the organization has been made aware of the allegations involving one of its new undergraduate members and the university was immediately notified.

“Phi Kappa Psi takes these allegations very seriously and will fully cooperate with law enforcement,” the statement said. “Due to the recent nature of these allegations and the need for a full and complete investigation, Phi Kappa Psi cannot provide further comments at this time.”

A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.change.org/p/university-of-kansas-ban-phi-kappa-psi-932b2965-f34d-4c5a-a7c7-97405f878428?recruiter=930685692&amp;recruited_by_id=86230af0-1d30-11e9-8bd6-61bdece6acfc&amp;utm_source=share_petition&amp;utm_medium=copylink&amp;utm_campaign=petition_dashboard" target="_blank">petition</a>&nbsp;to remove Phi Kappa Psi from campus had garnered more than 13,000 signatures by Tuesday afternoon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631710994664.png" alt="A second night of protests on the KU campus -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>A second night of protests on the KU campus -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Hundreds of people chanted and held signs outside a University of Kansas fraternity house where a member is accused of sexually assaulting another student.The&nbsp;Monday night protest outside the Phi Kappa Psi house came after the fraternity officials reported the allegations over the weekend.University Chancellor Douglas Girod said a statement Tuesday that fraternity leaders have been cooperative.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/sP5zNe8j24">https://t.co/sP5zNe8j24</a>&mdash; The University of Kansas (@UnivOfKansas) <a href="https://twitter.com/UnivOfKansas/status/1437893774055727106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“First, we want to say we appreciate that so many members of our community were moved to gather in support of combatting sexual assault,” Girod said. “Sadly, sexual assault continues to be pervasive in our society, and we are heartened to know that so many of you feel compelled to engage on this topic.”He added that the university takes seriously all reports of sexual assault. The university has “robust processes” to investigate reported instances and hold accountable those individuals and organizations that violate university policies. He also noted the university has a number of resources to assist survivors of sexual violence.The Lawrence Kansas Police Department responded to what was initially reported as a trespassing in progress, and encountered several hundred people engaged in protest, police said in a news release. Law enforcement agencies maintained a presence for the duration of the protest to ensure “the safety of everyone involved.”No arrests were made and no injuries were reported, police said.The police department also denied social media claims that it had used pepper spray on protestors, saying this was done by private security personnel in advance of police arrival.A spokesman for the fraternity said the organization has been made aware of the allegations involving one of its new undergraduate members and the university was immediately notified.“Phi Kappa Psi takes these allegations very seriously and will fully cooperate with law enforcement,” the statement said. “Due to the recent nature of these allegations and the need for a full and complete investigation, Phi Kappa Psi cannot provide further comments at this time.”A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.change.org/p/university-of-kansas-ban-phi-kappa-psi-932b2965-f34d-4c5a-a7c7-97405f878428?recruiter=930685692&amp;recruited_by_id=86230af0-1d30-11e9-8bd6-61bdece6acfc&amp;utm_source=share_petition&amp;utm_medium=copylink&amp;utm_campaign=petition_dashboard" target="_blank">petition</a>&nbsp;to remove Phi Kappa Psi from campus had garnered more than 13,000 signatures by Tuesday afternoon.

Protesters gather for second straight night at KU fraternity

WASHINGTON (AP) — To pay for the massive social plans that President Joe Biden envisions, House Democrats began serious work Tuesday on a maneuver worthy of the most agile circus acrobats. They’re looking to squeeze revenue from the elite 2% of Americans who earn more than $400,000 a year while leaving untouched everyone else — who Biden has pledged won’t see any tax increases.

Republicans, as opposed to those tax increases as expected, also turned their anger on Tuesday against proposed tax breaks they portrayed as subsidies for wealthy elites rather than help for the poor and middle class. Electric vehicles became a rallying symbol as class-warfare overtones echoed through a committee session.

The Democrats are proposing that the top tax rate rise back to 39.6% on individuals earning more than $400,000 — or $450,000 for couples — in addition to a 3% surtax on wealthier Americans with adjusted income beyond $5 million a year. For big business, the proposal would lift the corporate tax rate from 21% to 26.5% on companies’ annual income over $5 million.

“Look, I don’t want to punish anyone’s success, but the wealthy have been getting a free ride at the expense of the middle class for too long,” Biden tweeted Tuesday. “I intend to pass one of the biggest middle class tax cuts ever — paid for by making those at the top pay their fair share.”

For middle- and low-income people, tax help, not increase, is on offer as the House Ways and Means Committee digs into debate and drafting of tax proposals to both fund and buttress Biden’s ambitious $3.5 trillion rebuilding plan that includes spending for child care, health care, education and tackling climate change.

It’s an opening bid at a daunting moment for Biden and his allies in Congress as they assemble the “Build Back Better” package considered by some on par with the Great Society of the 1960s or even the New Deal of the 1930s Depression.

The proposals call for $273 billion in tax breaks for renewable energy and “clean” electricity, including $42 billion for electric vehicles and $15 billion for a “green workforce” and environmental items. Increases in the child tax credit to $300 a month per child under 6 and $250 monthly per child 6-17, which came in coronavirus relief legislation earlier this year, would be extended through 2025.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee, meanwhile, advanced proposals promoting clean electricity, investments in electric vehicles and other climate provisions. The 30-27 vote along party lines sends the energy measure forward as part of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s goal to approve the huge overall package.

The energy panel’s $456 billion slice is the most consequential for climate and greenhouse gas emissions, along with the tax breaks debated by the Ways and Means Committee.

The Democratic proposals would invest $150 billion in grants to encourage power companies to provide “clean electricity” from renewable sources such as wind and solar. Electricity suppliers would receive grants based on how much clean electricity they provide, as part of Biden’s plan to stop climate-damaging fossil fuel emissions from U.S. power plants by 2035.

All GOP lawmakers are expected to vote against the overall legislation. But Republicans are largely sidelined as Democrats rely on a budget process that will allow them to approve the proposals on their own — if they can muster their slight majority in Congress.

Democrats have no votes to spare to enact Biden’s agenda, with their slim hold on the House and the Senate split 50-50 and Vice President Kamala Harris the tiebreaker if there is no Republican support.

But one Democratic senator vital to the bill’s fate, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, says the cost will need to be slashed to $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion to win his support. And Manchin appeared Tuesday to dig in his heels on insisting that parents meet work requirements to receive the child tax credit.

Manchin also has said he will not support a number of clean energy and climate provisions pushed by Democrats.

A day earlier, Biden appeared to respond to concerns about the plan’s size, saying the cost “may be” as much as $3.5 trillion and would be spread out over 10 years as the economy grew.

Republican lawmakers, who have denounced the Democratic spending plan as socialist and job-killing, also went after proposed tax breaks on Tuesday.

The Democrats propose to extend to five years the current $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit for five years, with another $4,500 if a car is made by union workers, and $500 more for a U.S.-made battery. But Republicans painted electric vehicles as a bourgeois-bohemian accessory to be subsidized by taxpayers, the latest symbol of excess.

“Speaking of outrageous green welfare, this bill allows a near-millionaire family to buy a $75,000 Beamer, Jaguar or Benz luxury electric vehicle — and their maid is forced to send them a $12,500 subsidy from her taxes,” said Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas, the panel’s senior Republican. “Why are blue-collar workers, nurses, teachers and firefighters subsidizing the wealthy and big business with a quarter of a trillion dollars in green welfare checks?”

Hold on, said Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich. “We’re not going to subsidize the wealthiest buying luxury vehicles.” The legislation does impose caps on the sale price of the vehicle ($55,000 for a sedan) and the income of the buyer ($600,000 adjusted gross income for a head of household.)

The proposal hits another nerve for Republicans, Democrats’ support of labor unions, by adding the incentives for vehicles and batteries manufacture by union workers.

As they slogged through the legislation, members of the majority Democratic committee voted down a series of Republican amendments seeking to tighten the limitations on electric vehicle credits and to eliminate other tax breaks denounced as smacking of progressive Democrats’ proposed “Green New Deal.”

The House tax proposal is pitched as potentially raising some $2.9 trillion — a preliminary estimate — which would go a long way toward paying for the $3.5 trillion legislation. The White House is counting on long-term economic growth from the spending plan to generate an additional $600 billion to make up the difference.

To reach the Democrats’ goal, much of the revenue raised would come from the higher taxes on corporations and the highest earners, increasing the individual tax rate to 39.6% from the current 37%.

Targeting wealthy individuals, the Democrats propose an increase in the top tax rate on capital gains for those earning $400,000 a year or more, to 25% from the current 20%. Exemptions for estate taxes, which were doubled under a 2017 Republican tax law to $11.7 million for individuals, would revert to $5 million.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631701593369.png" alt="Kansas Rep. Ron Estes during Tuesday's mark up session -photo House Ways and Means Committee" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Rep. Ron Estes during Tuesday's mark up session -photo House Ways and Means Committee</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — To pay for the massive social plans that President Joe Biden envisions, House Democrats began serious work Tuesday on a maneuver worthy of the most agile circus acrobats. They’re looking to squeeze revenue from the elite 2% of Americans who earn more than $400,000 a year while leaving untouched everyone else — who Biden has pledged won’t see any tax increases.Republicans, as opposed to those tax increases as expected, also turned their anger on Tuesday against proposed tax breaks they portrayed as subsidies for wealthy elites rather than help for the poor and middle class. Electric vehicles became a rallying symbol as class-warfare overtones echoed through a committee session.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Biden&#39;s call to raise excise taxes is breaking his promise not to raise taxes on those making under $400,000 a year. These tax hikes are in addition to the jump we&#39;ve seen in prices caused by Democrats&#39; torrent of federal spending.&mdash; Rep. Ron Estes (@RepRonEstes) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepRonEstes/status/1437799984833892352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Democrats are proposing that the top tax rate rise back to 39.6% on individuals earning more than $400,000 — or $450,000 for couples — in addition to a 3% surtax on wealthier Americans with adjusted income beyond $5 million a year. For big business, the proposal would lift the corporate tax rate from 21% to 26.5% on companies’ annual income over $5 million.“Look, I don’t want to punish anyone’s success, but the wealthy have been getting a free ride at the expense of the middle class for too long,” Biden tweeted Tuesday. “I intend to pass one of the biggest middle class tax cuts ever — paid for by making those at the top pay their fair share.”For middle- and low-income people, tax help, not increase, is on offer as the House Ways and Means Committee digs into debate and drafting of tax proposals to both fund and buttress Biden’s ambitious $3.5 trillion rebuilding plan that includes spending for child care, health care, education and tackling climate change.It’s an opening bid at a daunting moment for Biden and his allies in Congress as they assemble the “Build Back Better” package considered by some on par with the Great Society of the 1960s or even the New Deal of the 1930s Depression.The proposals call for $273 billion in tax breaks for renewable energy and “clean” electricity, including $42 billion for electric vehicles and $15 billion for a “green workforce” and environmental items. Increases in the child tax credit to $300 a month per child under 6 and $250 monthly per child 6-17, which came in coronavirus relief legislation earlier this year, would be extended through 2025.The House Energy and Commerce Committee, meanwhile, advanced proposals promoting clean electricity, investments in electric vehicles and other climate provisions. The 30-27 vote along party lines sends the energy measure forward as part of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s goal to approve the huge overall package.The energy panel’s $456 billion slice is the most consequential for climate and greenhouse gas emissions, along with the tax breaks debated by the Ways and Means Committee.The Democratic proposals would invest $150 billion in grants to encourage power companies to provide “clean electricity” from renewable sources such as wind and solar. Electricity suppliers would receive grants based on how much clean electricity they provide, as part of Biden’s plan to stop climate-damaging fossil fuel emissions from U.S. power plants by 2035.All GOP lawmakers are expected to vote against the overall legislation. But Republicans are largely sidelined as Democrats rely on a budget process that will allow them to approve the proposals on their own — if they can muster their slight majority in Congress.Democrats have no votes to spare to enact Biden’s agenda, with their slim hold on the House and the Senate split 50-50 and Vice President Kamala Harris the tiebreaker if there is no Republican support.But one Democratic senator vital to the bill’s fate, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, says the cost will need to be slashed to $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion to win his support. And Manchin appeared Tuesday to dig in his heels on insisting that parents meet work requirements to receive the child tax credit.Manchin also has said he will not support a number of clean energy and climate provisions pushed by Democrats.A day earlier, Biden appeared to respond to concerns about the plan’s size, saying the cost “may be” as much as $3.5 trillion and would be spread out over 10 years as the economy grew.Republican lawmakers, who have denounced the Democratic spending plan as socialist and job-killing, also went after proposed tax breaks on Tuesday.The Democrats propose to extend to five years the current $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit for five years, with another $4,500 if a car is made by union workers, and $500 more for a U.S.-made battery. But Republicans painted electric vehicles as a bourgeois-bohemian accessory to be subsidized by taxpayers, the latest symbol of excess.“Speaking of outrageous green welfare, this bill allows a near-millionaire family to buy a $75,000 Beamer, Jaguar or Benz luxury electric vehicle — and their maid is forced to send them a $12,500 subsidy from her taxes,” said Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas, the panel’s senior Republican. “Why are blue-collar workers, nurses, teachers and firefighters subsidizing the wealthy and big business with a quarter of a trillion dollars in green welfare checks?”Hold on, said Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich. “We’re not going to subsidize the wealthiest buying luxury vehicles.” The legislation does impose caps on the sale price of the vehicle ($55,000 for a sedan) and the income of the buyer ($600,000 adjusted gross income for a head of household.)The proposal hits another nerve for Republicans, Democrats’ support of labor unions, by adding the incentives for vehicles and batteries manufacture by union workers.As they slogged through the legislation, members of the majority Democratic committee voted down a series of Republican amendments seeking to tighten the limitations on electric vehicle credits and to eliminate other tax breaks denounced as smacking of progressive Democrats’ proposed “Green New Deal.”The House tax proposal is pitched as potentially raising some $2.9 trillion — a preliminary estimate — which would go a long way toward paying for the $3.5 trillion legislation. The White House is counting on long-term economic growth from the spending plan to generate an additional $600 billion to make up the difference.To reach the Democrats’ goal, much of the revenue raised would come from the higher taxes on corporations and the highest earners, increasing the individual tax rate to 39.6% from the current 37%.Targeting wealthy individuals, the Democrats propose an increase in the top tax rate on capital gains for those earning $400,000 a year or more, to 25% from the current 20%. Exemptions for estate taxes, which were doubled under a 2017 Republican tax law to $11.7 million for individuals, would revert to $5 million.

Battle over tax increase to pay for Biden's $3.5T plan

KANSAS CITY (AP) — An Independence, Missouri, police officer is hospitalized with critical injuries and another man is dead after a shooting Wednesday morning.

Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt. Andy Bell said two officers went to a residence in Independence about 11:30 a.m. in response to a call to dispatch and were met by a man who fired a handgun at the officers.

One of the officers was injured and taken to a hospital with a serious injury. The other officer returned fire and the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. The highway patrol's division of drug and crime control is investigating.

No other details about the officer's injuries or the suspect were released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631741409098.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — An Independence, Missouri, police officer is hospitalized with critical injuries and another man is dead after a shooting Wednesday morning.Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt. Andy Bell said two officers went to a residence in Independence about 11:30 a.m. in response to a call to dispatch and were met by a man who fired a handgun at the officers.One of the officers was injured and taken to a hospital with a serious injury. The other officer returned fire and the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. The highway patrol's division of drug and crime control is investigating.No other details about the officer's injuries or the suspect were released.

Officer critically injured, suspect dead after KC-area shooting

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A decision is expected Friday on whether judges in Jackson County should be disqualified from hearing court arguments that could determine whether a man is released from prison after serving more than 40 years for a triple murder in Kansas City.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office has asked that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/courts-kansas-missouri-4b11c90ec6845d9459e44ddaee5be20d">the Jackson County judges be removed from the case&nbsp;</a>of Kevin Strickland because of perceived bias in Strickland’s favor.

At a hearing on Monday, Judge Kevin Harrell heard the attorneys for the attorney general argue that he should remove himself and disqualify other Jackson County judges because the circuit’s presiding judge, Dale Youngs, previously said he agrees Strickland should be exonerated, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article254187308.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.

Harrell said he would announce his decision on Friday.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced in May that she believed Strickland was wrongfully convicted in the 1978 murders and should be freed. She said at the time that Youngs supports Strickland’s release.

Using a new state law, Peters Baker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-816410e8eab142331d08c9d750153d28">filed a motion seeking an evidentiary hearing</a>&nbsp;that would allow a judge to determine if Strickland would be exonerated and released.

Schmitt’s office cited Youngs’ support in arguing that the Jackson County judges should be removed from hearing the case. Presiding judges oversee administration of the circuit court.

Jackson County prosecutors and Strickland’s lawyers argued Youngs’ opinion does not represent the opinion of every judge in the circuit and they should not all be disqualified.

Schmitt’s office has also asked that the case be moved from criminal to civil court. Harrell said he’ll announce his ruling on that motion on Friday.

Strickland, of Kansas City, was 18 when he was arrested in the April 25, 1978, deaths of Larry Ingram, 21; John Walker, 20; and Sherrie Black, 22, during a home invasion. Peters Baker said two men who admitted to the killings have said Strickland wasn’t there and the only witness who identified Strickland as the killer recanted her testimony before she died.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620695920927.png" alt="Strickland, of Kansas City, was 18 when he was arrested in the April 25, 1978, deaths of Larry Ingram, 21; John Walker, 20; and Sherrie Black, 22, during a home invasion." />
 <figcaption>Strickland, of Kansas City, was 18 when he was arrested in the April 25, 1978, deaths of Larry Ingram, 21; John Walker, 20; and Sherrie Black, 22, during a home invasion.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A decision is expected Friday on whether judges in Jackson County should be disqualified from hearing court arguments that could determine whether a man is released from prison after serving more than 40 years for a triple murder in Kansas City.Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office has asked that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/courts-kansas-missouri-4b11c90ec6845d9459e44ddaee5be20d">the Jackson County judges be removed from the case&nbsp;</a>of Kevin Strickland because of perceived bias in Strickland’s favor.At a hearing on Monday, Judge Kevin Harrell heard the attorneys for the attorney general argue that he should remove himself and disqualify other Jackson County judges because the circuit’s presiding judge, Dale Youngs, previously said he agrees Strickland should be exonerated, The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article254187308.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.Harrell said he would announce his decision on Friday.Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced in May that she believed Strickland was wrongfully convicted in the 1978 murders and should be freed. She said at the time that Youngs supports Strickland’s release.Using a new state law, Peters Baker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-816410e8eab142331d08c9d750153d28">filed a motion seeking an evidentiary hearing</a>&nbsp;that would allow a judge to determine if Strickland would be exonerated and released.Schmitt’s office cited Youngs’ support in arguing that the Jackson County judges should be removed from hearing the case. Presiding judges oversee administration of the circuit court.Jackson County prosecutors and Strickland’s lawyers argued Youngs’ opinion does not represent the opinion of every judge in the circuit and they should not all be disqualified.Schmitt’s office has also asked that the case be moved from criminal to civil court. Harrell said he’ll announce his ruling on that motion on Friday.Strickland, of Kansas City, was 18 when he was arrested in the April 25, 1978, deaths of Larry Ingram, 21; John Walker, 20; and Sherrie Black, 22, during a home invasion. Peters Baker said two men who admitted to the killings have said Strickland wasn’t there and the only witness who identified Strickland as the killer recanted her testimony before she died.

Ruling expected Friday in 40-year-old KC triple-murder

FORD COUNTY— A child died in an accident just before 2p.m. Tuesday in Ford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan driven by Shelby A. Ansari, 29, Mesa, Arizona, was eastbound on U.S. 50 at County Road 118.

The driver attempted to pass a vehicle in front and struck a 2015 Ford Transit driven by Allen D. Cheney, 41, Dodge City, head-on. Both vehicles came to rest in the north ditch.

&nbsp;A passenger in the Volkswagen Isabella&nbsp; Rodriguez-Rivera, 7, Mesa, Arizona, was pronounced dead at the scene.

EMS transported Ansari Wesley Medical Center and Cheney to Western Plains Medical Center in Dodge City.&nbsp;Rodriguez-Rivera was not in a child safety seat, according to the KHP.

FORD COUNTY— A child died in an accident just before 2p.m. Tuesday in Ford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan driven by Shelby A. Ansari, 29, Mesa, Arizona, was eastbound on U.S. 50 at County Road 118.The driver attempted to pass a vehicle in front and struck a 2015 Ford Transit driven by Allen D. Cheney, 41, Dodge City, head-on. Both vehicles came to rest in the north ditch.&nbsp;A passenger in the Volkswagen Isabella&nbsp; Rodriguez-Rivera, 7, Mesa, Arizona, was pronounced dead at the scene.EMS transported Ansari Wesley Medical Center and Cheney to Western Plains Medical Center in Dodge City.&nbsp;Rodriguez-Rivera was not in a child safety seat, according to the KHP.

7-year-old dies in head-on crash on Kansas highway

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The search continues for the suspect accused in the nightclub shooting in Wichita that killed one man and injured five women. Police say 22-year-old&nbsp; Keshawn Dawson is armed and dangerous. He was released from prison in December of 2020 after serving time for weapons violations.

On Wednesday afternoon, police will hold a news conference with Wichita Vice Mayor Brandon Johnson to discuss the shooting and the search for Dawson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631032156553.png" alt="Dawson photo from an earlier arrest in Sedgwick County. He is also&nbsp; wanted on two Felony Sedgwick County warrants and is prohibited from having a firearm, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens." />
 <figcaption>Dawson photo from an earlier arrest in Sedgwick County. He is also&nbsp; wanted on two Felony Sedgwick County warrants and is prohibited from having a firearm, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —The search continues for the suspect accused in the nightclub shooting in Wichita that killed one man and injured five women. Police say 22-year-old&nbsp; Keshawn Dawson is armed and dangerous. He was released from prison in December of 2020 after serving time for weapons violations.On Wednesday afternoon, police will hold a news conference with Wichita Vice Mayor Brandon Johnson to discuss the shooting and the search for Dawson.Just after 12:30 a.m. Sept. 7, police responded to a shooting call at the Enigma Club, 351 N. Mosley in Wichita.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers located multiple victims.&nbsp; They were all transported to an area hospital for medical treatment.&nbsp; One victim identified as 34-year-old Preston Spencer of Wichita died from his injuries. Friends and family held his <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-kendra-and-the-spencer-family?fbclid=IwAR1CeDwwCQIfSCoQNv5hK0sgu10mWuhu3Tv8iapl8Qnv-1Q6hJWoNgFeDag">memorial service</a>&nbsp;on Monday.The other victims, all women ages, 22, Two age 24, 28 and 40, received non life-threatening injuries, according to Stephens. Most of the injuries were to the legs. One had an injury to an arm and her lower back.&nbsp; All of the women are expected to survive.The investigation revealed a male suspect identified as Dawson got into a disturbance earlier inside the club and was made to leave.&nbsp; Dawson returned a short time later and fired multiple rounds with a handgun through windows into the club from the outside, striking the victims.Anyone with information on Dawson is asked to call 911.---------------

Police to release more info in search for Kan. nightclub killer

Every business has the opportunity to build a productive hybrid team, and it starts with creating a culture of collaboration. In a hybrid work model, employees are fully engaged and highly motivated to contribute. They are also empowered to contribute in new ways and achieve greater feats. If you are considering implementing a hybrid work model, check out the following tips.

<a href="https://www.bbb.org/content/dam/0473-charlotte/6_Steps_to_Supercharge_Collaboration_in_a_Hybrid_Work_Model.pdf" target="_blank">Infographic: How to supercharge collaboration in a hybrid work model (PDF download)</a>

Hybrid work models are the future of 
the corporate world, and they allow small business owners to build a 
flexible work environment that benefits them and their employees. 
Following the initial work from home programs brought on by the COVID-19
 pandemic, <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1226730/global-hybrid-work-trends-employee-employer-post-pandemic/" target="_blank">73% of employees now want flexible remote work options to stay, and 66%</a> of business leaders say they are considering redesigning their office space to accommodate more hybrid working options.

What does that mean? Hybrid work 
models are here to stay, so it's time to start thinking about how your 
business can help optimize your employees’ productivity within these new
 systems.&nbsp;

Further, creating an environment that encourages collaboration can help keep employees energized, <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/business/22156-managing-and-motivating-remote-teams" target="_blank">motivated</a>, <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/21898-16-tips-on-how-to-be-productive-while-working-from-home" target="_blank">and productive</a>.

6 steps to supercharge collaboration in a hybrid work model

The rise of hybrid work models has 
created a new set of challenges for business owners and managers. If you
 embrace the hybrid work model as a business owner, then you need to 
collaborate with other people effectively and encourage your team to do 
the same.&nbsp;

So, how do you encourage collaboration within your hybrid work team? Here are six steps to help you get started:

1. Start with a culture of collaboration and initiative

Business owners and managers who want
 to create a culture of collaboration within their hybrid work team need
 to focus on cooperation, problem-solving, and setting goals.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631730572494.jpeg" alt="Pixabay photo" />
 <figcaption>Pixabay photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Hybrid work models are here to stay</h2>Better Business BureauEvery business has the opportunity to build a productive hybrid team, and it starts with creating a culture of collaboration. In a hybrid work model, employees are fully engaged and highly motivated to contribute. They are also empowered to contribute in new ways and achieve greater feats. If you are considering implementing a hybrid work model, check out the following tips.<a href="https://www.bbb.org/content/dam/0473-charlotte/6_Steps_to_Supercharge_Collaboration_in_a_Hybrid_Work_Model.pdf" target="_blank">Infographic: How to supercharge collaboration in a hybrid work model (PDF download)</a>Hybrid work models are the future of 
the corporate world, and they allow small business owners to build a 
flexible work environment that benefits them and their employees. 
Following the initial work from home programs brought on by the COVID-19
 pandemic, <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1226730/global-hybrid-work-trends-employee-employer-post-pandemic/" target="_blank">73% of employees now want flexible remote work options to stay, and 66%</a> of business leaders say they are considering redesigning their office space to accommodate more hybrid working options.What does that mean? Hybrid work 
models are here to stay, so it's time to start thinking about how your 
business can help optimize your employees’ productivity within these new
 systems.&nbsp;Further, creating an environment that encourages collaboration can help keep employees energized, <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/business/22156-managing-and-motivating-remote-teams" target="_blank">motivated</a>, <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/21898-16-tips-on-how-to-be-productive-while-working-from-home" target="_blank">and productive</a>.<h2>6 steps to supercharge collaboration in a hybrid work model</h2>The rise of hybrid work models has 
created a new set of challenges for business owners and managers. If you
 embrace the hybrid work model as a business owner, then you need to 
collaborate with other people effectively and encourage your team to do 
the same.&nbsp;So, how do you encourage collaboration within your hybrid work team? Here are six steps to help you get started:<h2>1. Start with a culture of collaboration and initiative</h2>Business owners and managers who want
 to create a culture of collaboration within their hybrid work team need
 to focus on cooperation, problem-solving, and setting goals.&nbsp;This effort should pay off, as hybrid
 work models come with many benefits, allowing employees to contribute 
in new ways, achieve more, and work more effectively with less stress.<h2>2. Give your employees ownership and empowerment</h2>When adopting a hybrid work model, 
you need to empower your employees with the tools, resources, and 
technology they need to work effectively in this new system.&nbsp;To do this, you will need to give the
 right tools to the right people. Consider training your employees to 
perform new and diverse tasks. Give them the skills and autonomy to do 
the work they were hired and trained to do, and empower them with more 
complex tasks as well.<h2>3. Set clear, measurable goals</h2>Once employee ownership and 
empowerment is in sync with your culture of collaboration, you will need
 to set clear, measurable goals so your hybrid team can succeed. This 
way, you will ensure that all of your employees are working towards the 
organization’s common goals. You will also be able to measure your 
hybrid team's success and make the adjustments necessary to adapt and 
improve.<h2>4. Use technology to enhance the experience</h2>Technology has made remote collaboration easier than ever, and it is essential to use it to your advantage.&nbsp;With new technologies such as Slack 
and Google Apps, you can set up a collaborative environment where your 
hybrid teams can communicate and improve their work.&nbsp;This will help eliminate silos of information, reduce email and <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/business/21965-bbb-alert-zoom-bombing" target="_blank">Zoom overload</a>, and allow employees to collaborate on more complex tasks.<h2>5. Encourage team-based work</h2>One of the most effective ways to 
ensure that your hybrid teams communicate with each other is by having a
 team-based work culture. Hybrid teams that collaborate can tackle the 
impossible.Encourage team-based work by having 
your teams get together to share knowledge, discuss the bigger picture, 
and solve the challenges they face.&nbsp;<h2>6. Recognize and reward employees</h2>When you recognize and reward your 
employees for a job well done, they will be more energized and motivated
 to contribute to their team, allowing your hybrid team to accomplish 
even more.&nbsp;Acknowledge your employees for working hard, and don't overlook the little things they do within their roles.<h2>Make your hybrid work model work for you</h2>Hybrid work models are all about 
collaboration, teamwork, efficiency, and innovation. Maintaining a 
successful hybrid work model requires building a culture of 
collaboration and empowerment, and when implemented well, they allow 
companies to cut down on the buck-passing mentality that plagues many 
small businesses.&nbsp;If your organization is looking for a
 flexible work option that doesn’t sacrifice productivity, consider 
implementing a hybrid work model.You can <a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/news/business" target="_blank">find more tips</a> on growing your small business at the BBB.