SHAWNEE COUNTY—An accidental fire did significant damage to a Kansas home on Friday

Just before 11:00 a.m.,&nbsp; a fire was discovered on the front porch of the residence at 2729 SE Wisconsin Avenue in Topeka, according to Fire Marshal Tod Harrison.

 Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke and fire on the front of the home. One pet cat was rescued from the interior of the home and one died due to injuries as a result of this fire, according to Harrison. 

The fire was extinguished but not before significant damage was done throughout the attic spaces. All three occupants were able escape unharmed.

Preliminary investigation indicates the cause of the fire as Accidental; more likely than not associated with improper disposal of smoking materials. The estimated dollar loss – $103,500.00; of which $78,500.00 is associated with structural loss and $25,000.00 associated with contents loss.&nbsp;Working smoke detectors were present within the home, according to Harrison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620419763519.png" alt="Friday morning fire at a home in Topeka -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Friday morning fire at a home in Topeka -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—An accidental fire did significant damage to a Kansas home on FridayJust before 11:00 a.m.,&nbsp; a fire was discovered on the front porch of the residence at 2729 SE Wisconsin Avenue in Topeka, according to Fire Marshal Tod Harrison. Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke and fire on the front of the home. One pet cat was rescued from the interior of the home and one died due to injuries as a result of this fire, according to Harrison. The fire was extinguished but not before significant damage was done throughout the attic spaces. All three occupants were able escape unharmed.Preliminary investigation indicates the cause of the fire as Accidental; more likely than not associated with improper disposal of smoking materials. The estimated dollar loss – $103,500.00; of which $78,500.00 is associated with structural loss and $25,000.00 associated with contents loss.&nbsp;Working smoke detectors were present within the home, according to Harrison.

Fire Marshal: Pet cat dies in Kansas house fire

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A police veteran who spent nearly three decades with the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is crossing the state line to lead the department in Kansas City, Kansas.

Wyandotte County Administrator Doug Bach announced Friday that Karl A. Oakman will begin duties next month as the chief in Kansas City, Kansas. He replaces interim Chief Michael York, who has served in that role since the 2019 departure of former Chief Terry Zeigler.

Oakman will oversee a department with about 345 sworn officers and 150 civilian employees.

During his time in Kansas City, Missouri, Oakman developed initiatives focused on inclusion, community policing, youth engagement, recruitment and officer wellness. He has served as deputy chief since 2017 and commands the Patrol Bureau.

“It is a great honor to return home and serve the Kansas City, Kansas community and members of the police department,” Oakman said in a news release. “When the police department and community collaborate, great things can be accomplished.”

Oakman was chosen over three other finalists, including Kansas City, Kansas, Deputy Chief Pamela Waldeck.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620417679050.png" alt="Karl Oakman will oversee a department with about 345 sworn officers and 150 civilian employees-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Karl Oakman will oversee a department with about 345 sworn officers and 150 civilian employees-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A police veteran who spent nearly three decades with the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is crossing the state line to lead the department in Kansas City, Kansas.Wyandotte County Administrator Doug Bach announced Friday that Karl A. Oakman will begin duties next month as the chief in Kansas City, Kansas. He replaces interim Chief Michael York, who has served in that role since the 2019 departure of former Chief Terry Zeigler.Oakman will oversee a department with about 345 sworn officers and 150 civilian employees.During his time in Kansas City, Missouri, Oakman developed initiatives focused on inclusion, community policing, youth engagement, recruitment and officer wellness. He has served as deputy chief since 2017 and commands the Patrol Bureau.“It is a great honor to return home and serve the Kansas City, Kansas community and members of the police department,” Oakman said in a news release. “When the police department and community collaborate, great things can be accomplished.”Oakman was chosen over three other finalists, including Kansas City, Kansas, Deputy Chief Pamela Waldeck.

New police chief named in Kansas City, Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has requested less than 9% of its federal allocation of COVID-19 vaccine doses for this week, as Republican state lawmakers try to revive proposals to ban government vaccine passports and restore limits on tracing the close contacts of people exposed to the virus.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s office said Thursday that the state asked for fewer than 14,000 vaccine doses for the week, out of a federal allotment of almost 162,000. While the state sought its full allotment of 6,400 doses of a one-shot vaccine made by Johnson &amp; Johnson, it requested only 7,510 doses of its allocation of 155,540 doses of two-shot vaccines manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna.

Kansas has seen its vaccination rate slow in recent weeks. It peaked at an average of 29,380 shots a day for the seven days ending April 6 and averaged only 11,872 for the seven days ending Wednesday, according to state Department of Health and Environment data.

Counties have been turning down vaccine doses as demand has waned, and while the department reported that more than 1.95 million shots had been administered as of Wednesday, there still were almost 647,000 more doses available. The health department in Sedgwick County, home to the state’s largest city of Wichita, has reduced the operations of its vaccine clinic by 10 hours a week because of falling demand.

Meanwhile, some Republican senators in the GOP-controlled Legislature were working on a proposal to prohibit state and local government agencies from requiring people to have COVID-19 vaccine passports to enter places accessible to the general public.

Kelly said last month that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travel-immunizations-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-cd39b5c5b7829f016b3f0ca8bbfd9e30">she has no interest</a>&nbsp;in vaccine passports and that none would be issued under her authority.

But Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Kellie Warren, a Leawood Republican, said lawmakers are hearing from people who want to see a ban imposed.

“This would be protecting-your-privacy concerns,” she said.

With the Legislature hoping to wrap up the year’s business this week, lawmakers would have to slip a proposed ban into an existing piece of legislation when senators and House members write the final version.

House Judiciary Committee Chair Fred Patton, a Topeka Republican, said he’s working on a proposal but said senators showed him language that was “pretty broad.”

“I think it would impact even getting information from your own doctor, and certainly we don’t want that to be the case,” Patton said.

Warren also is working to resurrect limits on tracing contacts in cases where people have been exposed to COVID-19. The Legislature enacted the limits last year at the urging of Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican who is running for governor, who saw them as a way&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-derek-schmidt-abfa3c6b1634a5b670a6943e9a3f37aa">to protect people’s privacy.</a>

However, the limits on tracing expired Saturday, and while the Senate&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210331102410_198369/" target="_blank">approved a bill</a>&nbsp;in March to keep them in place permanently, the House did not take up the measure. The rules prevented people exposed to COVID-19 from being forced to disclose their close contacts and said people couldn’t face criminal charges or civil lawsuits for refusing.

Those limits set COVID-19 apart from other infectious diseases, such as syphilis or hepatitis. Public health groups said the limits hinder contact tracing and decried the different rules for the novel coronavirus. Some Republicans said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-pandemics-public-health-legislature-data-privacy-4d048648462d844a96d89dcc156e02ef">the special treatment was justified</a>&nbsp;because COVID-19 was so widespread and the danger to privacy much greater.

Patton said House members don’t have many concerns about reinstating the special contact tracing rules for COVID-19.

Warren said: “We’ve been hearing from constituents across the state that these are issues they want the Legislature to take up.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609436305532.png" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly received her first vaccination in December.- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly received her first vaccination in December.- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has requested less than 9% of its federal allocation of COVID-19 vaccine doses for this week, as Republican state lawmakers try to revive proposals to ban government vaccine passports and restore limits on tracing the close contacts of people exposed to the virus.Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s office said Thursday that the state asked for fewer than 14,000 vaccine doses for the week, out of a federal allotment of almost 162,000. While the state sought its full allotment of 6,400 doses of a one-shot vaccine made by Johnson &amp; Johnson, it requested only 7,510 doses of its allocation of 155,540 doses of two-shot vaccines manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna.Kansas has seen its vaccination rate slow in recent weeks. It peaked at an average of 29,380 shots a day for the seven days ending April 6 and averaged only 11,872 for the seven days ending Wednesday, according to state Department of Health and Environment data.Counties have been turning down vaccine doses as demand has waned, and while the department reported that more than 1.95 million shots had been administered as of Wednesday, there still were almost 647,000 more doses available. The health department in Sedgwick County, home to the state’s largest city of Wichita, has reduced the operations of its vaccine clinic by 10 hours a week because of falling demand.Meanwhile, some Republican senators in the GOP-controlled Legislature were working on a proposal to prohibit state and local government agencies from requiring people to have COVID-19 vaccine passports to enter places accessible to the general public.Kelly said last month that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travel-immunizations-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-cd39b5c5b7829f016b3f0ca8bbfd9e30">she has no interest</a>&nbsp;in vaccine passports and that none would be issued under her authority.But Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Kellie Warren, a Leawood Republican, said lawmakers are hearing from people who want to see a ban imposed.“This would be protecting-your-privacy concerns,” she said.With the Legislature hoping to wrap up the year’s business this week, lawmakers would have to slip a proposed ban into an existing piece of legislation when senators and House members write the final version.House Judiciary Committee Chair Fred Patton, a Topeka Republican, said he’s working on a proposal but said senators showed him language that was “pretty broad.”“I think it would impact even getting information from your own doctor, and certainly we don’t want that to be the case,” Patton said.Warren also is working to resurrect limits on tracing contacts in cases where people have been exposed to COVID-19. The Legislature enacted the limits last year at the urging of Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican who is running for governor, who saw them as a way&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-kansas-coronavirus-pandemic-topeka-derek-schmidt-abfa3c6b1634a5b670a6943e9a3f37aa">to protect people’s privacy.</a>However, the limits on tracing expired Saturday, and while the Senate&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210331102410_198369/" target="_blank">approved a bill</a>&nbsp;in March to keep them in place permanently, the House did not take up the measure. The rules prevented people exposed to COVID-19 from being forced to disclose their close contacts and said people couldn’t face criminal charges or civil lawsuits for refusing.Those limits set COVID-19 apart from other infectious diseases, such as syphilis or hepatitis. Public health groups said the limits hinder contact tracing and decried the different rules for the novel coronavirus. Some Republicans said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-pandemics-public-health-legislature-data-privacy-4d048648462d844a96d89dcc156e02ef">the special treatment was justified</a>&nbsp;because COVID-19 was so widespread and the danger to privacy much greater.Patton said House members don’t have many concerns about reinstating the special contact tracing rules for COVID-19.Warren said: “We’ve been hearing from constituents across the state that these are issues they want the Legislature to take up.”___

Kan. requested less than 9% of allocated COVID vaccine this week

Washington, D.C.&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. issued the following statement after the release of Friday's dismal Department of Labor (DOL) report showing an uptick in the unemployment rate to 6.1% and employers only adding 266,000 jobs in April. 

Additionally, Senator Marshall announced his plans <a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/GOE21524.pdf">to&nbsp;introduce legislation on Monday</a>&nbsp;when the Senate returns from the work recess to repeal the increase in unemployment benefits brought on by President Biden and the Democrats. Earlier this year, Democrats forced through legislation without any Republican support that provided $300 more in unemployment benefits in turn making it more profitable for many Americans to stay unemployed.

“Throughout my travels across Kansas, I hear constantly how employers are struggling to find people for open jobs because folks are staying at home due to the rich unemployment benefits and the stimulus checks that Democrats continue to enhance. While there are certainly people that needed access to increased unemployment benefits during the heart of this pandemic, we should not be in the business of creating lucrative government dependency that makes it more beneficial to stay unemployed rather than return to work,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall.

 “At a time when our nation is on its way to reaching herd immunity and businesses are emerging from government imposed lockdowns, President Biden has delivered them a government imposed labor shortage. For these reasons, I intend to introduce legislation when the Senate returns from recess that repeals these enhanced unemployment benefits and encourages Americans to return to work.”

<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/millions-are-unemployed-why-cant-companies-find-workers-11620302440?mod=hp_lead_pos1" target="_blank">Millions Are Unemployed. Why Can’t Companies Find Workers? (WSJ)</a>&nbsp;…Domino’s Pizza Chief Executive Richard Allison said last week that the labor market right now in the U.S. is creating the most difficult staffing environment the company has seen in a long time. “The real pinch point in the business is drivers,” he said on the company’s earnings conference call… Under relief bills passed by Congress, those receiving jobless benefits get an additional $300 a week on top of regular state benefits, which average $318 a week, according to the Labor Department. That means the average unemployment recipient earns better than the equivalent of working full time at $15 an hour. Those enhanced benefits are available until September, for a maximum of nearly 18 months—about three times longer than most states typically allow.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620409978854.png" alt="Senator Marshall in Seneca for a Town Hall event on May 1." />
 <figcaption>Senator Marshall in Seneca for a Town Hall event on May 1.</figcaption>
 </figure>Washington, D.C.&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. issued the following statement after the release of Friday's dismal Department of Labor (DOL) report showing an uptick in the unemployment rate to 6.1% and employers only adding 266,000 jobs in April. Additionally, Senator Marshall announced his plans <a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/GOE21524.pdf">to&nbsp;introduce legislation on Monday</a>&nbsp;when the Senate returns from the work recess to repeal the increase in unemployment benefits brought on by President Biden and the Democrats. Earlier this year, Democrats forced through legislation without any Republican support that provided $300 more in unemployment benefits in turn making it more profitable for many Americans to stay unemployed.“Throughout my travels across Kansas, I hear constantly how employers are struggling to find people for open jobs because folks are staying at home due to the rich unemployment benefits and the stimulus checks that Democrats continue to enhance. While there are certainly people that needed access to increased unemployment benefits during the heart of this pandemic, we should not be in the business of creating lucrative government dependency that makes it more beneficial to stay unemployed rather than return to work,”&nbsp;said Senator Marshall. “At a time when our nation is on its way to reaching herd immunity and businesses are emerging from government imposed lockdowns, President Biden has delivered them a government imposed labor shortage. For these reasons, I intend to introduce legislation when the Senate returns from recess that repeals these enhanced unemployment benefits and encourages Americans to return to work.”Background:<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/millions-are-unemployed-why-cant-companies-find-workers-11620302440?mod=hp_lead_pos1" target="_blank">Millions Are Unemployed. Why Can’t Companies Find Workers? (WSJ)</a>&nbsp;…Domino’s Pizza Chief Executive Richard Allison said last week that the labor market right now in the U.S. is creating the most difficult staffing environment the company has seen in a long time. “The real pinch point in the business is drivers,” he said on the company’s earnings conference call… Under relief bills passed by Congress, those receiving jobless benefits get an additional $300 a week on top of regular state benefits, which average $318 a week, according to the Labor Department. That means the average unemployment recipient earns better than the equivalent of working full time at $15 an hour. Those enhanced benefits are available until September, for a maximum of nearly 18 months—about three times longer than most states typically allow.

Marshall wants an end to $300 increase in unemployment benefits 

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 467 to a total of 310,582, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

Total coronavirus deaths were reported at 5016, an increase of 17.

<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.

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 467 to a total of 310,582, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;Total coronavirus deaths were reported at 5016, an increase of 17.<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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620407303288.png" alt="Friday May 7, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday May 7, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: COVID-19 deaths in Kansas top 5,000

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Two Republican leaders said Friday that Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has committed to signing a bipartisan plan that boosts funding for public schools while also making more students eligible for private school scholarships.

Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr. bargained with Kelly as negotiators for each chamber drafted the $5.2 billion education funding and policy measure. The two legislative leaders hoped both chambers would pass the measure Friday or early Saturday and clear the way for the GOP-controlled Legislature to wrap up its business for the year.

Conservatives did get a key “school choice” initiative into the package, but they dropped&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-school-choice-education-kansas-topeka-c83a8d06af93e64f5647b0b9e53bed66">a more ambitious proposal</a>&nbsp;to use state dollars to create education savings accounts that the parents of struggling public school students could use to pay for private schooling. The measure includes Kelly’s proposed 5.3% increase in aid for the state’s 286 local public school districts and a raft of other policies, including limits on remote learning that became prevalent during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Everybody feels like they lost a little something and gained a little something,” Masterson, an Andover Republican, told reporters Friday.

Kelly’s office did not immediately comment on the results of her negotiations with Masterson and Ryckman, an Olathe Republican.

But asked whether Kelly had committed to signing the bill, Masterson said, “yes,” and Ryckman, an Olathe Republican, confirmed that in a text to The Associated Press.

Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat and one of the education negotiators, said Thursday night that she would support the measure. It contains education groups’ top priority, an increase in education spending they see as fully funding public schools for 2021-22.

“Obviously, we don’t want to get full funding with a lot of other unacceptable things, but this plan is a pretty substantial compromise,” said Mark Tallman, a lobbyist for the Kansas Association of School Boards.

Another group of House and Senate negotiators reached agreement late Thursday night on the rest of a $21 billion spending blueprint for state government for the budget year beginning July 1. Legislative leaders hoped both chambers would pass it late Friday or early Saturday.

The budget would include an additional $53 million for higher education. Kelly’s budget director has said the extra money is necessary under a federal requirement to maintain “historic funding” for Kansas to get its full share of federal coronavirus relief funds.

The budget also would include an additional $17 million to increase pay for state court employees, including judges, and hire 70 new court services officers. But budget negotiators didn’t include a pay raise for all state employees, with senators arguing taxpayers would object after thousands of people lost their jobs and businesses closed during the pandemic.

Kelly proposed an education funding increase of $263 million, in line with a law enacted in 2019 to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/16d63062f0a645f6a9231e22b623e9fb">resolve a 2010 lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against the state filed by four school districts. That lawsuit remains before the Kansas Supreme Court, and Democrats believe failing to provide as much money as Kelly recommended will prompt the justices to intervene.

The compromise education measure would modify a program that gives a state income tax credit for donations to funds that give private school scholarships to students in the 100 lowest-performing public elementary schools.

The total tax credits would remain capped at $10 million a year, but any elementary or middle school student who receives free or reduced-cost lunches would be eligible for scholarships. The tax-credit cap has never been reached.

The House last month&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210408153110_690539/" target="_blank">approved a bill</a>&nbsp;containing Kelly’s proposed spending but also conservatives’ proposal for education savings accounts. Democrats and education groups argued that education savings accounts would siphon tens of millions of dollars from public schools, and the measure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-school-choice-kansas-topeka-bills-a4887df7480ee8479cc2282b16c29c9a">failed in the Senate&nbsp;</a>on a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210409132538_694551/" target="_blank">20-20 vote.</a>

“Though they’re a wonderful tool that can help at-risk kids, it wasn’t something that we could find overall consensus on at this time,” said Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican and the chair of a House committee on education spending.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Conservative Republicans set aside their most ambitious proposal for helping Kansas parents move their children into private schools so that lawmakers could forge a bipartisan compromise Thursday night on education funding and policy.

Three state senators and three House members drafted the final version of a bill funding public schools as top Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature negotiated privately with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly over the measure. They had yet to strike a deal Thursday night, but Republicans said GOP leaders and the governor were close.

Conservatives wanted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-school-choice-education-kansas-topeka-c83a8d06af93e64f5647b0b9e53bed66">to tie</a>&nbsp;an increase in aid to the state’s 286 local public school districts to “school choice” initiatives but were unable to pass a bill with that combination. Democrats and education groups would prefer to provide the money with no new strings.

The education bill includes Kelly’s proposed spending on schools, tied to a proposal to expand an existing program for providing private-school scholarships to students in underperforming public elementary schools. It also includes a raft of other policies, including limits on remote learning that became prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There are definitely pieces in it that I don’t love, but at the end of the day, we’re fully funding schools,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat and one of the measure’s drafters.

Lawmakers didn’t yet have a promise from Kelly that she’d sign the measure they drafted. But House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., an Olathe Republican, said she and GOP leaders had moved closer to full funding for schools with “an expansion of options for parental choice.”

Mike Pirner, spokesperson for Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, said in text to The AP: “All I can say is it’s close and a lot of stakeholders are talking.”

The Legislature cannot wrap up its business for the year without finishing work on a spending blueprint for state government approaching $21 billion for the budget year that begins July 1. Funding for public schools would account for $5.2 billion in spending.

GOP leaders hoped to adjourn late Friday or on Saturday.

Kelly proposed an increase in education funding of $263 million, or 5.3%, in line with a law enacted in 2019 to resolve a 2010 lawsuit against the state brought by four school districts. That lawsuit remains before the Kansas Supreme Court, and Democrats believe failing to provide as money as Kelly has recommended will prompt the justices to intervene.

The House last month&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210408153110_690539/" target="_blank">approved a bill</a>&nbsp;containing Kelly’s spending, but it also passed a proposal from conservative Republicans that would send education funds to education savings accounts for academically troubled students that could be used to pay for private schooling. Democrats and education groups argued that education savings accounts potentially could siphon tens of millions of dollars from public schools.

“The full funding of education is really the top priority,” said Mark Tallman, a lobbyist for the Kansas Association of School Boards. “We thought the education savings account were just too wide open in a lot of ways.”

House Republicans’ combination of proposals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-school-choice-kansas-topeka-bills-a4887df7480ee8479cc2282b16c29c9a">failed in the Senate</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210409132538_694551/" target="_blank">a 20-20 vote&nbsp;</a>last month, lessening some conservatives’ expectations for what can pass.

The bill would modify a program that gives a state income tax credit for donations to scholarship funds that help at-risk students attend private schools. The total tax credits would remain capped at $10 million a year, but any elementary or middle school student who receives free or reduced-cost lunches would be eligible for scholarships.

But conservatives did not press for the more expansive savings-account plan in talks between the House and Senate, leaving the issue to next year.

The debates over K-12 funding and the rest of the budget were complicated by questions about higher education funding.

Kelly’s budget director, Adam Proffitt, told lawmakers in a memo Sunday that the U.S. Department of Education is requiring states to maintain “historic funding” for higher education to receive their full share of coronavirus relief funds.

Proffitt recommended an additional $53 million for the next budget and $106 million more for the budget year beginning July 1, 2022.

Some Republicans were skeptical, but lawmakers working separately on parts of the budget outside K-12 spending agreed to include the first $53 million for the next budget year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620223270696.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;“There are definitely pieces in it that I don’t love, but at the end of the day, we’re fully funding schools,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat and one of the measure’s drafters. Photo by Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;“There are definitely pieces in it that I don’t love, but at the end of the day, we’re fully funding schools,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat and one of the measure’s drafters. Photo by Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Two Republican leaders said Friday that Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has committed to signing a bipartisan plan that boosts funding for public schools while also making more students eligible for private school scholarships.Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr. bargained with Kelly as negotiators for each chamber drafted the $5.2 billion education funding and policy measure. The two legislative leaders hoped both chambers would pass the measure Friday or early Saturday and clear the way for the GOP-controlled Legislature to wrap up its business for the year.Conservatives did get a key “school choice” initiative into the package, but they dropped&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-school-choice-education-kansas-topeka-c83a8d06af93e64f5647b0b9e53bed66">a more ambitious proposal</a>&nbsp;to use state dollars to create education savings accounts that the parents of struggling public school students could use to pay for private schooling. The measure includes Kelly’s proposed 5.3% increase in aid for the state’s 286 local public school districts and a raft of other policies, including limits on remote learning that became prevalent during the coronavirus pandemic.“Everybody feels like they lost a little something and gained a little something,” Masterson, an Andover Republican, told reporters Friday.Kelly’s office did not immediately comment on the results of her negotiations with Masterson and Ryckman, an Olathe Republican.But asked whether Kelly had committed to signing the bill, Masterson said, “yes,” and Ryckman, an Olathe Republican, confirmed that in a text to The Associated Press.Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat and one of the education negotiators, said Thursday night that she would support the measure. It contains education groups’ top priority, an increase in education spending they see as fully funding public schools for 2021-22.“Obviously, we don’t want to get full funding with a lot of other unacceptable things, but this plan is a pretty substantial compromise,” said Mark Tallman, a lobbyist for the Kansas Association of School Boards.Another group of House and Senate negotiators reached agreement late Thursday night on the rest of a $21 billion spending blueprint for state government for the budget year beginning July 1. Legislative leaders hoped both chambers would pass it late Friday or early Saturday.The budget would include an additional $53 million for higher education. Kelly’s budget director has said the extra money is necessary under a federal requirement to maintain “historic funding” for Kansas to get its full share of federal coronavirus relief funds.The budget also would include an additional $17 million to increase pay for state court employees, including judges, and hire 70 new court services officers. But budget negotiators didn’t include a pay raise for all state employees, with senators arguing taxpayers would object after thousands of people lost their jobs and businesses closed during the pandemic.Kelly proposed an education funding increase of $263 million, in line with a law enacted in 2019 to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/16d63062f0a645f6a9231e22b623e9fb">resolve a 2010 lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against the state filed by four school districts. That lawsuit remains before the Kansas Supreme Court, and Democrats believe failing to provide as much money as Kelly recommended will prompt the justices to intervene.The compromise education measure would modify a program that gives a state income tax credit for donations to funds that give private school scholarships to students in the 100 lowest-performing public elementary schools.The total tax credits would remain capped at $10 million a year, but any elementary or middle school student who receives free or reduced-cost lunches would be eligible for scholarships. The tax-credit cap has never been reached.The House last month&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210408153110_690539/" target="_blank">approved a bill</a>&nbsp;containing Kelly’s proposed spending but also conservatives’ proposal for education savings accounts. Democrats and education groups argued that education savings accounts would siphon tens of millions of dollars from public schools, and the measure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-school-choice-kansas-topeka-bills-a4887df7480ee8479cc2282b16c29c9a">failed in the Senate&nbsp;</a>on a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210409132538_694551/" target="_blank">20-20 vote.</a>“Though they’re a wonderful tool that can help at-risk kids, it wasn’t something that we could find overall consensus on at this time,” said Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican and the chair of a House committee on education spending.----------TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Conservative Republicans set aside their most ambitious proposal for helping Kansas parents move their children into private schools so that lawmakers could forge a bipartisan compromise Thursday night on education funding and policy.Three state senators and three House members drafted the final version of a bill funding public schools as top Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature negotiated privately with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly over the measure. They had yet to strike a deal Thursday night, but Republicans said GOP leaders and the governor were close.Conservatives wanted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-school-choice-education-kansas-topeka-c83a8d06af93e64f5647b0b9e53bed66">to tie</a>&nbsp;an increase in aid to the state’s 286 local public school districts to “school choice” initiatives but were unable to pass a bill with that combination. Democrats and education groups would prefer to provide the money with no new strings.The education bill includes Kelly’s proposed spending on schools, tied to a proposal to expand an existing program for providing private-school scholarships to students in underperforming public elementary schools. It also includes a raft of other policies, including limits on remote learning that became prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic.“There are definitely pieces in it that I don’t love, but at the end of the day, we’re fully funding schools,” said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat and one of the measure’s drafters.Lawmakers didn’t yet have a promise from Kelly that she’d sign the measure they drafted. But House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., an Olathe Republican, said she and GOP leaders had moved closer to full funding for schools with “an expansion of options for parental choice.”Mike Pirner, spokesperson for Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, said in text to The AP: “All I can say is it’s close and a lot of stakeholders are talking.”The Legislature cannot wrap up its business for the year without finishing work on a spending blueprint for state government approaching $21 billion for the budget year that begins July 1. Funding for public schools would account for $5.2 billion in spending.GOP leaders hoped to adjourn late Friday or on Saturday.Kelly proposed an increase in education funding of $263 million, or 5.3%, in line with a law enacted in 2019 to resolve a 2010 lawsuit against the state brought by four school districts. That lawsuit remains before the Kansas Supreme Court, and Democrats believe failing to provide as money as Kelly has recommended will prompt the justices to intervene.The House last month&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210408153110_690539/" target="_blank">approved a bill</a>&nbsp;containing Kelly’s spending, but it also passed a proposal from conservative Republicans that would send education funds to education savings accounts for academically troubled students that could be used to pay for private schooling. Democrats and education groups argued that education savings accounts potentially could siphon tens of millions of dollars from public schools.“The full funding of education is really the top priority,” said Mark Tallman, a lobbyist for the Kansas Association of School Boards. “We thought the education savings account were just too wide open in a lot of ways.”House Republicans’ combination of proposals&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-school-choice-kansas-topeka-bills-a4887df7480ee8479cc2282b16c29c9a">failed in the Senate</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210409132538_694551/" target="_blank">a 20-20 vote&nbsp;</a>last month, lessening some conservatives’ expectations for what can pass.The bill would modify a program that gives a state income tax credit for donations to scholarship funds that help at-risk students attend private schools. The total tax credits would remain capped at $10 million a year, but any elementary or middle school student who receives free or reduced-cost lunches would be eligible for scholarships.But conservatives did not press for the more expansive savings-account plan in talks between the House and Senate, leaving the issue to next year.“Though they’re a wonderful tool that can help at-risk kids, it wasn’t something that we could find overall consensus on at this time,” said Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican and the chair of a House committee on education spending.The debates over K-12 funding and the rest of the budget were complicated by questions about higher education funding.Kelly’s budget director, Adam Proffitt, told lawmakers in a memo Sunday that the U.S. Department of Education is requiring states to maintain “historic funding” for higher education to receive their full share of coronavirus relief funds.Proffitt recommended an additional $53 million for the next budget and $106 million more for the budget year beginning July 1, 2022.Some Republicans were skeptical, but lawmakers working separately on parts of the budget outside K-12 spending agreed to include the first $53 million for the next budget year.

GOP leaders: Kan. governor pledged to sign education bill

DICKINSON COUNTY — Several earthquakes rattled north-central Kansas this week including a 3.1 magnitude quake early Friday. The quake was centered northeast of Hope in southern&nbsp; &nbsp;Dickinson County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

This follows a series of seven quakes in Jewell County on Thursday including a magnitude 4.1 quake just after 6:30a.m. southwest of the small community of Formoso, according to the Kansas Geological Survey.

There are no reports of damage or injury, according to Jewell County Emergency Preparedness Director Kevin Peroutek. "We've had calls, especially from those in the Formos area but not as many you might think." "The area has a history of small quakes," he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620401807890.png" alt="Location of Friday's Dickinson Co. quake -image USGS" />
 <figcaption>Location of Friday's Dickinson Co. quake -image USGS</figcaption>
 </figure>DICKINSON COUNTY — Several earthquakes rattled north-central Kansas this week including a 3.1 magnitude quake early Friday. The quake was centered northeast of Hope in southern&nbsp; &nbsp;Dickinson County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.This follows a series of seven quakes in Jewell County on Thursday including a magnitude 4.1 quake just after 6:30a.m. southwest of the small community of Formoso, according to the Kansas Geological Survey.There are no reports of damage or injury, according to Jewell County Emergency Preparedness Director Kevin Peroutek. "We've had calls, especially from those in the Formos area but not as many you might think." "The area has a history of small quakes," he said.

Series of earthquakes reported in north-central Kansas

KANSAS CITY (AP) — It was an employee at a Domino’s pizza restaurant in Kansas City who shot and killed a man found in the restaurant’s parking lot this week following an altercation inside the business, police said.

Officers called to the lot around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday found Marc Davis II, 32, on the ground with at least one gunshot wound, police said. After initial investigation, police believe Davis went into the Domino’s and started arguing with employees while waving a gun.

Police said one worker at the business pulled his own gun and fired several times at Davis, who was hit, ran out of the store and collapsed in the parking lot.

The worker was detained and questioned before being released, police said.

The investigation into the shooting is continuing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620310811190.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) — It was an employee at a Domino’s pizza restaurant in Kansas City who shot and killed a man found in the restaurant’s parking lot this week following an altercation inside the business, police said.Officers called to the lot around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday found Marc Davis II, 32, on the ground with at least one gunshot wound, police said. After initial investigation, police believe Davis went into the Domino’s and started arguing with employees while waving a gun.Police said one worker at the business pulled his own gun and fired several times at Davis, who was hit, ran out of the store and collapsed in the parking lot.The worker was detained and questioned before being released, police said.The investigation into the shooting is continuing.

Police: KC pizza place employee shot man found dead in parking lot

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Police in Kansas City, Kansas, are on the lookout for a driver they say dragged an officer during a police stop.

The incident happened around 4 p.m. Thursday in the Argentine neighborhood, television station WDAF&nbsp;reported. A police report says the officer was outside the stopped vehicle when the driver sped off, dragging the officer over a grassy area for about 200 feet.

The officer suffered minor injuries to his legs and was taken to an area hospital for treatment, police said. Officials had not reported finding the suspected driver by Friday morning and asked anyone with information on the incident to contact police.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Police in Kansas City, Kansas, are on the lookout for a driver they say dragged an officer during a police stop.The incident happened around 4 p.m. Thursday in the Argentine neighborhood, television station WDAF&nbsp;reported. A police report says the officer was outside the stopped vehicle when the driver sped off, dragging the officer over a grassy area for about 200 feet.The officer suffered minor injuries to his legs and was taken to an area hospital for treatment, police said. Officials had not reported finding the suspected driver by Friday morning and asked anyone with information on the incident to contact police.

Police seeking driver accused of dragging Kan. officer

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas House voted for the first time Thursday to legalize medical marijuana in the state, but Republican leaders signaled the Senate wouldn’t consider the bill in the final days of the legislative session.

(Click below to listen to the medical marijuana debate)

Before the House advanced the measure on a 79-42 vote, Senate President Ty Masterson’s spokesperson, Mike Pirner, told The Associated Press that a budget bill and school funding legislation have emerged as higher priorities for the Senate this week.

Thirty-six states allow medical marijuana&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx" target="_blank"></a>and Kansas is only one of three states without a comprehensive medical or recreational marijuana program, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx" target="_blank">website</a>. Some Kansas lawmakers in favor of the bill said the state shouldn’t wait for the federal government to act.

“Kansans are tired of waiting on Kansas being last, or falling behind other states on major issues such as this. And it’s time we end that and we show our people that Kansas can do it better,” said Rep. Adam Thomas, an Olathe Republican.

The House vote Thursday marked the first time Kansas legislators passed a bill to legalize medical marijuana in either chamber, according to the Legislature’s research staff. Before a House panel approved the bill in March, previous proposals had failed to even pass out of committee.

The bill would allow patients and caregivers to register to get medical marijuana identification cards for a list of conditions that include cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The measure would have also set up a licensing process for growers and dispensary owners. Medical marijuana could be sold as oils, tinctures, patches or potent edibles, but not in smoking or vaping products.

During Thursday’s debate, support came mostly from Democrats and some Republican lawmakers who said many of their constituents support medical marijuana legalization. But some GOP House members expressed concern that passing the bill into law would be the first step to legalizing recreational pot, and a few others adamantly opposed the bill, calling marijuana a dangerous “gateway” drug.

Rep. Pat Proctor, a Leavenworth Republican, said he was concerned that passing the bill into law would set up the infrastructure for recreational marijuana.

“With these dispensaries, all they got to do is, you know, change your name to ‘pot store’ from ‘dispensary’ and they’re ready to go,” Proctor said.

Before the measure made its way to the House, it received pushback, mainly from law enforcement groups that say that there’s not enough evidence that marijuana can treat medical conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and Parkinson’s disease.

During the debate, some Republican lawmakers cited that the federal government classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug, along with heroin and LSD, with a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.

Rep. Russ Jennings, a Republican from Lakin in southwest Kansas, said that Kansas should have waited for Congress to act on medical marijuana legalization before debating on the bill. He called passing the bill a “terrible message in a nation that is governed under the rule of law.”

But medical marijuana advocates note it’s been tough to get evidence due to pot’s legal status in the U.S. Parents of children with disabilities have testified to lawmakers that marijuana would help relieve symptoms such as seizures. Veterans pushing for the bill say marijuana has reduced trauma-induced dreams by helping them get a deep sleep.

The bill would require physicians to have a six-month relationship with a patient before recommending marijuana, with an exception for military veterans.

Local government officials would be able to ban dispensaries in their jurisdictions.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas House voted for the first time Thursday to legalize medical marijuana in the state, but Republican leaders signaled the Senate wouldn’t consider the bill in the final days of the legislative session.(Click below to listen to the medical marijuana debate)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6bA3TlV-Xug?start=9977" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Before the House advanced the measure on a 79-42 vote, Senate President Ty Masterson’s spokesperson, Mike Pirner, told The Associated Press that a budget bill and school funding legislation have emerged as higher priorities for the Senate this week.Thirty-six states allow medical marijuana&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx" target="_blank"></a>and Kansas is only one of three states without a comprehensive medical or recreational marijuana program, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx" target="_blank">website</a>. Some Kansas lawmakers in favor of the bill said the state shouldn’t wait for the federal government to act.“Kansans are tired of waiting on Kansas being last, or falling behind other states on major issues such as this. And it’s time we end that and we show our people that Kansas can do it better,” said Rep. Adam Thomas, an Olathe Republican.The House vote Thursday marked the first time Kansas legislators passed a bill to legalize medical marijuana in either chamber, according to the Legislature’s research staff. Before a House panel approved the bill in March, previous proposals had failed to even pass out of committee.The bill would allow patients and caregivers to register to get medical marijuana identification cards for a list of conditions that include cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The measure would have also set up a licensing process for growers and dispensary owners. Medical marijuana could be sold as oils, tinctures, patches or potent edibles, but not in smoking or vaping products.During Thursday’s debate, support came mostly from Democrats and some Republican lawmakers who said many of their constituents support medical marijuana legalization. But some GOP House members expressed concern that passing the bill into law would be the first step to legalizing recreational pot, and a few others adamantly opposed the bill, calling marijuana a dangerous “gateway” drug.Rep. Pat Proctor, a Leavenworth Republican, said he was concerned that passing the bill into law would set up the infrastructure for recreational marijuana.“With these dispensaries, all they got to do is, you know, change your name to ‘pot store’ from ‘dispensary’ and they’re ready to go,” Proctor said.Before the measure made its way to the House, it received pushback, mainly from law enforcement groups that say that there’s not enough evidence that marijuana can treat medical conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and Parkinson’s disease.During the debate, some Republican lawmakers cited that the federal government classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug, along with heroin and LSD, with a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.Rep. Russ Jennings, a Republican from Lakin in southwest Kansas, said that Kansas should have waited for Congress to act on medical marijuana legalization before debating on the bill. He called passing the bill a “terrible message in a nation that is governed under the rule of law.”But medical marijuana advocates note it’s been tough to get evidence due to pot’s legal status in the U.S. Parents of children with disabilities have testified to lawmakers that marijuana would help relieve symptoms such as seizures. Veterans pushing for the bill say marijuana has reduced trauma-induced dreams by helping them get a deep sleep.The bill would require physicians to have a six-month relationship with a patient before recommending marijuana, with an exception for military veterans.Local government officials would be able to ban dispensaries in their jurisdictions.___

🎥 Kan. House approves medical marijuana; Senate won't follow

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Thursday detailed steps to achieve an ambitious goal to conserve nearly one-third of America’s lands and waters by 2030, relying on voluntary efforts to preserve public, private and tribal areas while also helping tackle climate change and create jobs.

<a href="https://www.doi.gov/america-the-beautiful">Click here</a>&nbsp;to read details of the plan.

<a href="https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/report-conserving-and-restoring-america-the-beautiful-2021.pdf" target="_blank">A report, with the lofty title “America the Beautiful,′</a>&nbsp;′ calls for a decade-long commitment on projects nationwide to make the conservation and restoration of lands and waters an urgent priority. The plan would purify drinking water, increase green space, improve access to outdoor recreation, restore healthy fisheries, reduce the risk of wildfires and recognize the “oversized contributions” of farmers, ranchers, forest owners, fishers, hunters, rural communities and tribal nations.

In the process, the effort will produce thousands of new jobs and a stronger economy while also addressing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/climate-change">climate change</a>&nbsp;and environmental justice, including expanded access by disadvantaged communities to the outdoors, the report said.

President Joe Biden has set a goal of conserving at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. If successful, the plan will help slow global warming and preserve some of the nation’s most scenic lands for future generations of Americans, the report said.

About 12% of the nation’s lands and 25% of its waters are currently protected, according to research by the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning think tank. Those protected areas include not just parks but also wilderness areas, game refuges, agricultural lands, forests, ranches and other sites with conservation easements.

The plan released Thursday recommends a series of actions, including expansion of a federal grant program to create local parks, especially in cities and other “nature-deprived communities.″ The report also suggests grants for Native American tribes to support tribal conservation priorities; expansion of fish and wildlife habitats and corridors; increased access for outdoor recreation; and creation of a “civilian climate corps” to work on conservation and restoration projects nationwide.

The plan follows through on a Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-climate-iran-nuclear-immigration-de7b288aa2b4315b5b7fe38559a6e666">campaign promise</a>&nbsp;and builds on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-mt-state-wire-ap-top-news-legislation-politics-b05f9869fc7840fb0eb66a87ec8eeda1">Great American Outdoors Act</a>, a 2020 law passed by Congress that authorizes nearly $3 billion for conservation projects, outdoor recreation and maintenance of national parks and other public lands.

Even with that injection of federal dollars, the Biden plan relies heavily on voluntary conservation efforts by farmers, ranchers, forest owners and fishing communities. No cost estimate for the project was provided. Much of the spending could be done through department budgets, as well as the 2020 outdoors law, the 2018 farm bill and Biden’s proposed $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan, officials said.

“The president’s challenge is a call to action to support locally led conservation and restoration efforts of all kinds and all over America, wherever communities wish to safeguard the lands and waters they know and love,″ the report says. “Doing so will not only protect our lands and waters but also boost our economy and support jobs nationwide.″

The report was signed by three Cabinet members —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-cabinet-cabinets-parks-native-americans-national-parks-3e68649e5901248207480dd8503b0246">Interior Secretary Deb Haaland</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tom-vilsack-confirmed-ag-secretary-98bd9dc4a4d65b0633eec5610fb51ed3">Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gina-raimondo-confirmed-commerce-secretary-0708768537e4ffd4433ec980abe1db7b">Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo</a>&nbsp;— along with Brenda Mallory, who leads the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

“Nature plays an important role in improving resilience to climate change and creating a thriving economy,″ Haaland said at a news conference Thursday.

White House climate adviser Gina McCarthy said the Great Outdoors law, which bankrolls the popular Land and Water Conservation Fund and takes aim at a growing maintenance backlog at national parks, was a “down payment” on the conservation initiative. The law authorizes $900 million a year for that fund and an additional $1.9 billion per year on improvements at parks, forests, wildlife refuges and range lands.

“There are many tools available to us” to pay for the conservation program, McCarthy said. The report is only the “starting point″ on a path to fulfill Biden’s conservation vision, she and other officials said.

“Where this path leads over the next decade will be determined not by our agencies, but by the ideas and leadership of local communities,″ the Cabinet officials said in the report. “It is our job to listen, learn and provide support along the way to ... pass on healthy lands, waters and wildlife to the generations to come.”

Environmental and outdoors groups hailed the initiative.

“The bottom line is that healthier public lands and waters mean more opportunities for Americans to recreate outside and for communities’ economies to thrive,” said Jessica Turner, executive director of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, a coalition that represents a range of outdoor businesses.

Alex Taurel of the League of Conservation Voters added: “We are all-in to help reach and exceed” Biden’s goal “to tackle the climate crisis and expand access to nature in America the beautiful.”

Chris Wood, president of Trout Unlimited, a fisheries conservation group, said “there’s a lot to like” in Biden’s initiative, especially its emphasis on local actions. “A bunch of directives from the top won’t get us where we need to go,″ he said in an interview.

Provisions to protect landscapes and improve resiliency against drought, wildfire and floods are crucial, Wood said, noting that natural disasters “don’t respect wilderness boundaries″ or property lines. He pledged to work with the administration develop more detailed plans.

Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said the report “uses vague buzz-words” and does not resolve his concern that “this is nothing but an effort to lock up lands, which will hurt Montana’s farmers and ranchers and kill jobs.″ Daines, a co-sponsor of the Great Outdoors law, accused Biden of “pushing ambiguous political ambitions motivated by headlines rather than results.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620346954555.png" alt="President Joe Biden has set a goal of conserving at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Joe Biden has set a goal of conserving at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Thursday detailed steps to achieve an ambitious goal to conserve nearly one-third of America’s lands and waters by 2030, relying on voluntary efforts to preserve public, private and tribal areas while also helping tackle climate change and create jobs.<a href="https://www.doi.gov/america-the-beautiful">Click here</a>&nbsp;to read details of the plan.<a href="https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/report-conserving-and-restoring-america-the-beautiful-2021.pdf" target="_blank">A report, with the lofty title “America the Beautiful,′</a>&nbsp;′ calls for a decade-long commitment on projects nationwide to make the conservation and restoration of lands and waters an urgent priority. The plan would purify drinking water, increase green space, improve access to outdoor recreation, restore healthy fisheries, reduce the risk of wildfires and recognize the “oversized contributions” of farmers, ranchers, forest owners, fishers, hunters, rural communities and tribal nations.In the process, the effort will produce thousands of new jobs and a stronger economy while also addressing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/climate-change">climate change</a>&nbsp;and environmental justice, including expanded access by disadvantaged communities to the outdoors, the report said.President Joe Biden has set a goal of conserving at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. If successful, the plan will help slow global warming and preserve some of the nation’s most scenic lands for future generations of Americans, the report said.About 12% of the nation’s lands and 25% of its waters are currently protected, according to research by the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning think tank. Those protected areas include not just parks but also wilderness areas, game refuges, agricultural lands, forests, ranches and other sites with conservation easements.The plan released Thursday recommends a series of actions, including expansion of a federal grant program to create local parks, especially in cities and other “nature-deprived communities.″ The report also suggests grants for Native American tribes to support tribal conservation priorities; expansion of fish and wildlife habitats and corridors; increased access for outdoor recreation; and creation of a “civilian climate corps” to work on conservation and restoration projects nationwide.The plan follows through on a Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-climate-iran-nuclear-immigration-de7b288aa2b4315b5b7fe38559a6e666">campaign promise</a>&nbsp;and builds on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-mt-state-wire-ap-top-news-legislation-politics-b05f9869fc7840fb0eb66a87ec8eeda1">Great American Outdoors Act</a>, a 2020 law passed by Congress that authorizes nearly $3 billion for conservation projects, outdoor recreation and maintenance of national parks and other public lands.Even with that injection of federal dollars, the Biden plan relies heavily on voluntary conservation efforts by farmers, ranchers, forest owners and fishing communities. No cost estimate for the project was provided. Much of the spending could be done through department budgets, as well as the 2020 outdoors law, the 2018 farm bill and Biden’s proposed $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan, officials said.“The president’s challenge is a call to action to support locally led conservation and restoration efforts of all kinds and all over America, wherever communities wish to safeguard the lands and waters they know and love,″ the report says. “Doing so will not only protect our lands and waters but also boost our economy and support jobs nationwide.″The report was signed by three Cabinet members —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-cabinet-cabinets-parks-native-americans-national-parks-3e68649e5901248207480dd8503b0246">Interior Secretary Deb Haaland</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tom-vilsack-confirmed-ag-secretary-98bd9dc4a4d65b0633eec5610fb51ed3">Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gina-raimondo-confirmed-commerce-secretary-0708768537e4ffd4433ec980abe1db7b">Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo</a>&nbsp;— along with Brenda Mallory, who leads the White House Council on Environmental Quality.“Nature plays an important role in improving resilience to climate change and creating a thriving economy,″ Haaland said at a news conference Thursday.White House climate adviser Gina McCarthy said the Great Outdoors law, which bankrolls the popular Land and Water Conservation Fund and takes aim at a growing maintenance backlog at national parks, was a “down payment” on the conservation initiative. The law authorizes $900 million a year for that fund and an additional $1.9 billion per year on improvements at parks, forests, wildlife refuges and range lands.“There are many tools available to us” to pay for the conservation program, McCarthy said. The report is only the “starting point″ on a path to fulfill Biden’s conservation vision, she and other officials said.“Where this path leads over the next decade will be determined not by our agencies, but by the ideas and leadership of local communities,″ the Cabinet officials said in the report. “It is our job to listen, learn and provide support along the way to ... pass on healthy lands, waters and wildlife to the generations to come.”Environmental and outdoors groups hailed the initiative.“The bottom line is that healthier public lands and waters mean more opportunities for Americans to recreate outside and for communities’ economies to thrive,” said Jessica Turner, executive director of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, a coalition that represents a range of outdoor businesses.Alex Taurel of the League of Conservation Voters added: “We are all-in to help reach and exceed” Biden’s goal “to tackle the climate crisis and expand access to nature in America the beautiful.”Chris Wood, president of Trout Unlimited, a fisheries conservation group, said “there’s a lot to like” in Biden’s initiative, especially its emphasis on local actions. “A bunch of directives from the top won’t get us where we need to go,″ he said in an interview.Provisions to protect landscapes and improve resiliency against drought, wildfire and floods are crucial, Wood said, noting that natural disasters “don’t respect wilderness boundaries″ or property lines. He pledged to work with the administration develop more detailed plans.Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said the report “uses vague buzz-words” and does not resolve his concern that “this is nothing but an effort to lock up lands, which will hurt Montana’s farmers and ranchers and kill jobs.″ Daines, a co-sponsor of the Great Outdoors law, accused Biden of “pushing ambiguous political ambitions motivated by headlines rather than results.”

Biden's plan would boost conservation of US lands, waters

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a weekend shooting have made an arrest.

Just after 7:30 p.m. Sunday, police responded to a walk-in shooting call at a Wichita hospital, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; 

Upon arrival, officers contacted 27-year-old John Ross of Wichita, who had been shot in the chest.&nbsp; He received treatment at the hospital but died of his injuries, according to Davidson.

The investigation revealed 59-year-old Sandra Ross and several relatives were at a home in the 800 block of South Terrace.&nbsp; 

While at the home, Ross got into a disturbance with one of her relatives.&nbsp; During the disturbance, she grabbed a handgun, and there was a struggle over the gun when it discharged and struck John Ross who was sitting on a couch and not involved in the disturbance.&nbsp;

Detectives examined the evidence and spoke to witnesses, which led to the arrest on Wednesday.&nbsp;Ross <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=72451">is being held on a</a> requested charge of involuntary manslaughter, according to Davidson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620314154706.png" alt="Sandra Ross photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Sandra Ross photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a weekend shooting have made an arrest.Just after 7:30 p.m. Sunday, police responded to a walk-in shooting call at a Wichita hospital, according to Officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp; Upon arrival, officers contacted 27-year-old John Ross of Wichita, who had been shot in the chest.&nbsp; He received treatment at the hospital but died of his injuries, according to Davidson.The investigation revealed 59-year-old Sandra Ross and several relatives were at a home in the 800 block of South Terrace.&nbsp; While at the home, Ross got into a disturbance with one of her relatives.&nbsp; During the disturbance, she grabbed a handgun, and there was a struggle over the gun when it discharged and struck John Ross who was sitting on a couch and not involved in the disturbance.&nbsp;Detectives examined the evidence and spoke to witnesses, which led to the arrest on Wednesday.&nbsp;Ross <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=72451">is being held on a</a> requested charge of involuntary manslaughter, according to Davidson.

Kansas woman jailed after deadly struggle over gun

WASHINGTON — Today, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department
 of the Treasury, and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced they 
are disbursing more than 1.1 million payments in the eighth batch of 
Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan.

Today's announcement brings the total disbursed so far to 
approximately 164 million payments, with a total value of approximately 
$386 billion, since these payments began rolling out to Americans in 
batches <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-begins-delivering-third-round-of-economic-impact-payments-to-americans">as announced</a> on March 12.

The eighth batch of payments began processing on Friday, April 30, 
with an official payment date of May 5, with some people receiving 
direct payments in their accounts earlier as provisional or pending 
deposits. Here is additional information on this batch of payments:

Additional information is available on the first seven batches 
of Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan, which 
processed weekly on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/nearly-2-million-more-economic-impact-payments-disbursed-under-the-american-rescue-plan-continuing-payments-reach-approximately-163-million">April 23</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/two-million-more-economic-impact-payments-disbursed-under-the-american-rescue-plan-total-reaches-approximately-161-million-as-payments-continue">April 16</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-2-million-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan-va-beneficiaries-bring-total-to-approximately-159-million-as-payments-continue">April 9</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-25-million-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan">April 2</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan-total-tops-130-million-with-more-to-come">March 26</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-another-37-million-economic-impact-payments-from-the-american-rescue-plan">March 19</a> and <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0063">March 12</a>.

The IRS will continue to make Economic Impact Payments on a weekly 
basis. Ongoing payments will be sent to eligible individuals for whom 
the IRS previously did not have information to issue a payment but who 
recently filed a tax return, as well to people who qualify for "plus-up"
 payments.

Special reminder for those who don't normally file a tax return

Although payments are automatic for most people, the IRS continues to
 urge people who don't normally file a tax return and haven't received 
Economic Impact Payments to file a 2020 tax return to get all the 
benefits they're entitled to under the law, including tax credits such 
as the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>,
 the Child Tax Credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Filing a 2020 
tax return will also assist the IRS in determining whether someone is 
eligible for an advance payment of the 2021 Child Tax Credit, which will
 begin to be disbursed this summer.

For example, some federal benefits recipients may need to file a 2020
 tax return – even if they don't usually file – to provide information 
the IRS needs to send payments for a qualifying dependent. Eligible 
individuals in this group should file a 2020 tax return as quickly as 
possible to be considered for an additional payment for their qualifying
 dependents.

People who don't normally file a tax return and don't receive federal
 benefits may qualify for these Economic Impact Payments. This includes 
those experiencing <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/those-experiencing-homelessness-can-get-economic-impact-payments-and-other-tax-benefits-permanent-address-not-required">homelessness</a>,
 the rural poor, and others. Individuals who didn't get a first or 
second round Economic Impact Payment or got less than the full amounts 
may be eligible for the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>, but they'll need to file a 2020 tax return. See the special section on IRS.gov: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-topic-a-claiming-the-recovery-rebate-credit-if-you-arent-required-to-file-a-tax-return">Claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a tax return</a>.

Free <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">tax return preparation</a> is available for qualifying people.

The IRS reminds taxpayers that the income levels in this third round 
of Economic Impact Payments have changed. This means that some people 
won't be eligible for the third payment even if they received a first or
 second Economic Impact Payment or claimed a 2020 Recovery Rebate 
Credit. Payments will begin to be reduced for individuals making $75,000
 or above in Adjusted Gross Income ($150,000 for married filing 
jointly). The payments end at $80,000 for individuals ($160,000 for 
married filing jointly); people with Adjusted Gross Incomes above these 
levels are ineligible for a payment.

Individuals can check the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment">Get My Payment</a>&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov to see the payment status of these payments. Additional information on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments">Economic Impact Payments</a> is available on IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — Today, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department
 of the Treasury, and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service announced they 
are disbursing more than 1.1 million payments in the eighth batch of 
Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan.Today's announcement brings the total disbursed so far to 
approximately 164 million payments, with a total value of approximately 
$386 billion, since these payments began rolling out to Americans in 
batches <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-begins-delivering-third-round-of-economic-impact-payments-to-americans">as announced</a> on March 12.The eighth batch of payments began processing on Friday, April 30, 
with an official payment date of May 5, with some people receiving 
direct payments in their accounts earlier as provisional or pending 
deposits. Here is additional information on this batch of payments:<ul>
 <li>In total, this batch includes more than 1.1 million payments with a value of more than $2 billion.</li><li>More than 585,000 payments, with a value of over $1.2 billion, went
 to eligible individuals for whom the IRS previously did not have 
information to issue an Economic Impact Payment but who recently filed a
 tax return.&nbsp;</li><li>This batch also includes additional ongoing supplemental payments 
for people who earlier this year received payments based on their 2019 
tax returns but are eligible for a new or larger payment based on their 
recently processed 2020 tax returns. This batch included more than 
570,000 of these "plus-up" payments, with a value of nearly $1 billion.</li><li>Overall, this eighth batch of payments contains about 600,000 
direct deposit payments (with a total value of $1.1 billion) with the 
remainder on paper payments.</li>
 </ul>Additional information is available on the first seven batches 
of Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan, which 
processed weekly on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/nearly-2-million-more-economic-impact-payments-disbursed-under-the-american-rescue-plan-continuing-payments-reach-approximately-163-million">April 23</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/two-million-more-economic-impact-payments-disbursed-under-the-american-rescue-plan-total-reaches-approximately-161-million-as-payments-continue">April 16</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-2-million-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan-va-beneficiaries-bring-total-to-approximately-159-million-as-payments-continue">April 9</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-25-million-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan">April 2</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-more-economic-impact-payments-under-the-american-rescue-plan-total-tops-130-million-with-more-to-come">March 26</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-treasury-disburse-another-37-million-economic-impact-payments-from-the-american-rescue-plan">March 19</a> and <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy0063">March 12</a>.The IRS will continue to make Economic Impact Payments on a weekly 
basis. Ongoing payments will be sent to eligible individuals for whom 
the IRS previously did not have information to issue a payment but who 
recently filed a tax return, as well to people who qualify for "plus-up"
 payments.<h2>Special reminder for those who don't normally file a tax return</h2>Although payments are automatic for most people, the IRS continues to
 urge people who don't normally file a tax return and haven't received 
Economic Impact Payments to file a 2020 tax return to get all the 
benefits they're entitled to under the law, including tax credits such 
as the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>,
 the Child Tax Credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Filing a 2020 
tax return will also assist the IRS in determining whether someone is 
eligible for an advance payment of the 2021 Child Tax Credit, which will
 begin to be disbursed this summer.For example, some federal benefits recipients may need to file a 2020
 tax return – even if they don't usually file – to provide information 
the IRS needs to send payments for a qualifying dependent. Eligible 
individuals in this group should file a 2020 tax return as quickly as 
possible to be considered for an additional payment for their qualifying
 dependents.People who don't normally file a tax return and don't receive federal
 benefits may qualify for these Economic Impact Payments. This includes 
those experiencing <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/those-experiencing-homelessness-can-get-economic-impact-payments-and-other-tax-benefits-permanent-address-not-required">homelessness</a>,
 the rural poor, and others. Individuals who didn't get a first or 
second round Economic Impact Payment or got less than the full amounts 
may be eligible for the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit">2020 Recovery Rebate Credit</a>, but they'll need to file a 2020 tax return. See the special section on IRS.gov: <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/recovery-rebate-credit-topic-a-claiming-the-recovery-rebate-credit-if-you-arent-required-to-file-a-tax-return">Claiming the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit if you aren't required to file a tax return</a>.Free <a href="https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers">tax return preparation</a> is available for qualifying people.The IRS reminds taxpayers that the income levels in this third round 
of Economic Impact Payments have changed. This means that some people 
won't be eligible for the third payment even if they received a first or
 second Economic Impact Payment or claimed a 2020 Recovery Rebate 
Credit. Payments will begin to be reduced for individuals making $75,000
 or above in Adjusted Gross Income ($150,000 for married filing 
jointly). The payments end at $80,000 for individuals ($160,000 for 
married filing jointly); people with Adjusted Gross Incomes above these 
levels are ineligible for a payment.Individuals can check the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment">Get My Payment</a>&nbsp;tool on IRS.gov to see the payment status of these payments. Additional information on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments">Economic Impact Payments</a> is available on IRS.gov.

IRS: More than 1M additional COVID stimulus checks disbursed

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A&nbsp; man has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges for lying on applications to fraudulently obtain more than $500,000 in federal loans meant to help businesses struggling in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, federal prosecutors said.

Brian Ruth, 44, of Deepwater, Missouri, entered the pleas Wednesday in the federal courthouse in Springfield, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri said in a news release.

Prosecutors said Ruth received nearly $523,000 in Paycheck Protection Program loans for three separate businesses. In his loan applications, Ruth falsely claimed the businesses were operational and had numerous employees, prosecutors said.

Ruth did not use the money for the businesses, but to buy vehicles for himself, officials said.

He faces up to 40 years in prison when he’s sentenced at a later date.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620320665108.png" alt="Ruth -photo Missouri Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Ruth -photo Missouri Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A&nbsp; man has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges for lying on applications to fraudulently obtain more than $500,000 in federal loans meant to help businesses struggling in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, federal prosecutors said.Brian Ruth, 44, of Deepwater, Missouri, entered the pleas Wednesday in the federal courthouse in Springfield, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri said in a news release.Prosecutors said Ruth received nearly $523,000 in Paycheck Protection Program loans for three separate businesses. In his loan applications, Ruth falsely claimed the businesses were operational and had numerous employees, prosecutors said.Ruth did not use the money for the businesses, but to buy vehicles for himself, officials said.He faces up to 40 years in prison when he’s sentenced at a later date.

Man admits lying to get $500K from pandemic loan program

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting involving a convenience store security guard.

Just after 10p.m. Wednesday police responded to report of a shooting near a convenience store at Broadway and Murdoch in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.

At the scene, officers located a 39-year-old man in the alley across from the business with a gunshot wound to his upper body. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition, according to Stephens.

Investigators have learned the victim was an armed security guard employed by Quick Trip. The victim encountered a man who was causing a disruption inside the store.&nbsp; He escorted the man from the store and ultimately to the edge of the property where the disturbance continued and the suspect shot the security guard.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There is no indication, the security guard brandished any weapons, according to Stephens.&nbsp; Due to his condition, the victim is unable to provide a statement.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620334524153.png" alt="Security camera images of the shooting suspect -photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera images of the shooting suspect -photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting involving a convenience store security guard.Just after 10p.m. Wednesday police responded to report of a shooting near a convenience store at Broadway and Murdoch in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.At the scene, officers located a 39-year-old man in the alley across from the business with a gunshot wound to his upper body. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition, according to Stephens.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620334492831.png" alt="Security camera images of the shooting suspect -Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera images of the shooting suspect -Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators have learned the victim was an armed security guard employed by Quick Trip. The victim encountered a man who was causing a disruption inside the store.&nbsp; He escorted the man from the store and ultimately to the edge of the property where the disturbance continued and the suspect shot the security guard.&nbsp;&nbsp;There is no indication, the security guard brandished any weapons, according to Stephens.&nbsp; Due to his condition, the victim is unable to provide a statement.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Police: Kan. security guard in critical condition after shooting

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list to add Colorado and the countries of Cabo Verde, India, Maldives and Seychelles, according to a media release from the agency.

Several locations are removed from the list effective today, including New Jersey and New York, as well as the countries of Andorra, Aruba, Bermuda, Curacao, France, Hungary, Poland and Serbia.

A comprehensive list of those individuals needing to quarantine includes visitors and Kansans who have:

The travel quarantine period is seven days with a negative test result or 10 days without testing, with release from quarantine on Day 8 and Day 11, respectively. Further information on quarantine periods can be found on KDHE’s&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA1MDYuNDAwNDc3OTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy5rZGhla3MuZ292L0RvY3VtZW50Q2VudGVyL1ZpZXcvMTY0MC9TaG9ydGVuZWQtUXVhcmFudGluZS1HdWlkYW5jZS1QREYtLTEyLTgtMjA_YmlkSWQ9JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.X-HGFowSE0QaErvlc5ZQyyfrt73bHAulTv1nYJukkqQ/s/1305913448/br/106006081909-l" target="_blank">website</a>.

For those traveling internationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requiring testing within three days of flights into the U.S.&nbsp;For further information on this and other requirements, visit&nbsp;their&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA1MDYuNDAwNDc3OTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jZGMuZ292L2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLzIwMTktbmNvdi90cmF2ZWxlcnMvaW5kZXguaHRtbD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.26v0blGlL0i51krWJZQo_1BiYvI8eSBKxKw7nuGfBiQ/s/1305913448/br/106006081909-l" target="_blank">website</a>.

For those who are fully vaccinated (meaning it has been greater than two weeks since they completed their vaccinations) they are not required to quarantine regarding travel if they meet all of the following criteria:

Persons who do not meet all three of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel.

Additionally, people with previous COVID-19 disease are not required to quarantine following travel if they meet all of the following criteria:

The travel quarantine list is determined using a formula to evaluate new cases over a two-week period, then adjusted for population size to provide a case rate per 100,000 population. This provides a number that can then be compared to the rate in Kansas. Locations with significantly higher rates -- approximately 3x higher -- are added to the list.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/">Click here </a>for more information on COVID-19.

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list to add Colorado and the countries of Cabo Verde, India, Maldives and Seychelles, according to a media release from the agency.Several locations are removed from the list effective today, including New Jersey and New York, as well as the countries of Andorra, Aruba, Bermuda, Curacao, France, Hungary, Poland and Serbia.A comprehensive list of those individuals needing to quarantine includes visitors and Kansans who have:<ul>
 <li>Traveled on or after May 6 to Colorado or the countries of Cabo Verde, India, Maldives and Seychelles.</li><li>Traveled on or after April 22 to Minnesota or the countries of Argentina, Bahrain, Croatia, Cyprus, Sweden and Turkey.</li><li>Traveled on or after April 8 to Pennsylvania or the country of Uruguay.</li><li>Traveled on or after March 26 to Delaware, Michigan or Rhode Island.</li><li>Traveled on or after March 12 to the country of State of Palestine.</li><li>Traveled between April 22 and May 6 to Aruba or France.</li><li>Traveled between April 8 and May 6 to Andorra, Bermuda, Curacao, Poland or Serbia.</li><li>Traveled between March 26 and May 6 to Hungary.</li><li>Traveled between March 12 and May 6 to New Jersey or New York.</li><li>Attendance at any out-of-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet)&nbsp;and&nbsp;wear a mask.</li><li>Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15, 2020.</li>
 </ul>The travel quarantine period is seven days with a negative test result or 10 days without testing, with release from quarantine on Day 8 and Day 11, respectively. Further information on quarantine periods can be found on KDHE’s&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA1MDYuNDAwNDc3OTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy5rZGhla3MuZ292L0RvY3VtZW50Q2VudGVyL1ZpZXcvMTY0MC9TaG9ydGVuZWQtUXVhcmFudGluZS1HdWlkYW5jZS1QREYtLTEyLTgtMjA_YmlkSWQ9JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.X-HGFowSE0QaErvlc5ZQyyfrt73bHAulTv1nYJukkqQ/s/1305913448/br/106006081909-l" target="_blank">website</a>.For those traveling internationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requiring testing within three days of flights into the U.S.&nbsp;For further information on this and other requirements, visit&nbsp;their&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA1MDYuNDAwNDc3OTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jZGMuZ292L2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLzIwMTktbmNvdi90cmF2ZWxlcnMvaW5kZXguaHRtbD91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkifQ.26v0blGlL0i51krWJZQo_1BiYvI8eSBKxKw7nuGfBiQ/s/1305913448/br/106006081909-l" target="_blank">website</a>.For those who are fully vaccinated (meaning it has been greater than two weeks since they completed their vaccinations) they are not required to quarantine regarding travel if they meet all of the following criteria:<ul>
 <li>Are fully vaccinated (i.e., ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2- dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine)</li><li>Are within 6 months following receipt of the last dose in the series</li><li>Have remained asymptomatic since the travel</li>
 </ul>Persons who do not meet all three of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel.Additionally, people with previous COVID-19 disease are not required to quarantine following travel if they meet all of the following criteria:<ul>
 <li>Have evidence of a previous infection supported by a positive PCR or antigen test</li><li>Are within 6 months following infection. If an investigation was done documenting the date that symptoms resolved, or the date isolation measures were discontinued for asymptomatic patients, then the 6-month period can start from that end date. If those dates are not available, then the period will start from the date of the positive laboratory test. A serology or antibody test may not be substituted for a laboratory report of a viral diagnostic test.</li><li>Have remained asymptomatic since the travel</li>
 </ul>Persons who do not meet all three of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel.The travel quarantine list is determined using a formula to evaluate new cases over a two-week period, then adjusted for population size to provide a case rate per 100,000 population. This provides a number that can then be compared to the rate in Kansas. Locations with significantly higher rates -- approximately 3x higher -- are added to the list.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/">Click here </a>for more information on COVID-19.

Kansas adds Colorado to travel quarantine list

&nbsp;By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/people/abigail-censky">Abigail Censky</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-04-27/from-taxes-to-trans-athletes-republicans-in-kansas-legislature-look-to-override-governors-vetoes">Kansas News Service</a>

The legalization measure puts in tight restrictions on what conditions cannabis could be used for, and which doctors can recommend it, in an effort to win over support from conservatives.

TOPEKA, Kansas&nbsp;— Kansas took its first major step toward legalizing medical marijuana Thursday when the conservative Republicans who dominate the state House passed a bill that tracks a national trend and bucks federal law.

Kansas-style legalization would regulate everything from patient access to cannabis advertising.

The historic floor debate stretched on for nearly five hours, laying bare divisions among Republicans. The bill passed 78-42 on an initial vote. A final vote would send it to the Kansas Senate. Some lawmakers argued that legalizing medical marijuana fell in line with small-government philosophies.

“It’s time,” Bunker Hill Republican Rep. Troy Waymaster said. “It is the right move forward for the state of Kansas.”

Opponents like Rep. Tatum Lee-Hahn, a Republican from western Kansas, argued that the legalization of medical marijuana would set the stage for recreational use.

“In 10 years, when we’re driving down Main Street and there’s two and three dispensaries on every block, that’s on us,” Lee-Hahn said. “We did that.”

Rep. Blake Carpenter, a conservative Republican who shepherded the bill on the floor of the House, called it a conservative option for legalization.

“Government is becoming a nanny state,” he said. “We really need to get back to individual responsibility and trusting that people will use this medical marijuana in a responsible manner, at home in order to help their seizures or other issues that they have.”

Kansas remains one of only&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx" target="_blank">a few states</a>&nbsp;where medical marijuana remains illegal.

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb158/" target="_blank">The bill</a>&nbsp;went through lengthy revisions and ended up with restrictions designed to win over the most conservative members of the Legislature. Lawmakers amended the bill Thursday to allow counties to effectively opt-out of medical marijuana by banning growers, distributors and dispensaries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620329182480.png" alt="Rep. Mark Samsel, Republican from Wellsville during Thursday's House debate said residents in his district support&nbsp;medical marijuana.&nbsp; Samsel was arrested last&nbsp; week for possible misdemeanor battery in what authorities said was an incident involving a student while he was substitute teaching at a public school in his hometown." />
 <figcaption>Rep. Mark Samsel, Republican from Wellsville during Thursday's House debate said residents in his district support&nbsp;medical marijuana.&nbsp; Samsel was arrested last&nbsp; week for possible misdemeanor battery in what authorities said was an incident involving a student while he was substitute teaching at a public school in his hometown.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;By&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/people/abigail-censky">Abigail Censky</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-04-27/from-taxes-to-trans-athletes-republicans-in-kansas-legislature-look-to-override-governors-vetoes">Kansas News Service</a><h2>The legalization measure puts in tight restrictions on what conditions cannabis could be used for, and which doctors can recommend it, in an effort to win over support from conservatives.</h2>TOPEKA, Kansas&nbsp;— Kansas took its first major step toward legalizing medical marijuana Thursday when the conservative Republicans who dominate the state House passed a bill that tracks a national trend and bucks federal law.Kansas-style legalization would regulate everything from patient access to cannabis advertising.The historic floor debate stretched on for nearly five hours, laying bare divisions among Republicans. The bill passed 78-42 on an initial vote. A final vote would send it to the Kansas Senate. Some lawmakers argued that legalizing medical marijuana fell in line with small-government philosophies.“It’s time,” Bunker Hill Republican Rep. Troy Waymaster said. “It is the right move forward for the state of Kansas.”Opponents like Rep. Tatum Lee-Hahn, a Republican from western Kansas, argued that the legalization of medical marijuana would set the stage for recreational use.“In 10 years, when we’re driving down Main Street and there’s two and three dispensaries on every block, that’s on us,” Lee-Hahn said. “We did that.”Rep. Blake Carpenter, a conservative Republican who shepherded the bill on the floor of the House, called it a conservative option for legalization.“Government is becoming a nanny state,” he said. “We really need to get back to individual responsibility and trusting that people will use this medical marijuana in a responsible manner, at home in order to help their seizures or other issues that they have.”Kansas remains one of only&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx" target="_blank">a few states</a>&nbsp;where medical marijuana remains illegal.A conservative bill<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/sb158/" target="_blank">The bill</a>&nbsp;went through lengthy revisions and ended up with restrictions designed to win over the most conservative members of the Legislature. Lawmakers amended the bill Thursday to allow counties to effectively opt-out of medical marijuana by banning growers, distributors and dispensaries.In most cases, patients would be required to get a recommendation from a doctor with whom they’ve had a relationship for six months.More than 20 medical conditions are listed for use with the drugs. They include Parkinson’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder and epilepsy.The bill would allow for additions to the list, and set the rules for making changes. For instance, people could petition an advisory committee to add more. After a review, the committee could make a recommendation to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment whether to add other conditions to the list. The decision would ultimately be made by the state’s health secretary.An amendment added Thursday requires conditions on the list to be reviewed every three years with the potential to be removed if evidence about the benefits of medical marijuana change.The bill also includes limitations on the forms of medical marijuana available. In short, nothing people could smoke or vape. In the version of the bill passed by the House on Thursday, patients could only get their medical marijuana as edibles, oils, tinctures, patches or plant material.Physicians would also have to get a special state certification to recommend medical marijuana.Employers could still ban employees from using marijuana even if they got it legally for medical reasons. They could still drug test employees and discipline or fire people for violating a no-marijuana policy.Gateway to recreational marijuanaYet many conservatives objected to the legalization of what they called a “gateway drug.” Others, like Rep. Pat Proctor, a Republican from Leavenworth, said legalization would be a “death blow” to his town.“This bill is setting us on the path toward recreational marijuana,” he said. “If you don’t believe that, then I would ask, why are we selling it in dispensaries instead of pharmacies? Why are we growing it in buildings instead of farms? Why are we dispensing it in any other form other than pill form?”But Republicans like freshman Rep. Samantha Poetter said prohibition doesn’t work.“The reality today is marijuana is in Kansas,” she said, “whether you want to admit it or not.”She said 80% of constituents in her mostly rural district favor medical marijuana.“(But) rather than allowing those who benefit from the use of it do so legally,” she said, “we have to force veterans, cancer patients and many others to buy a drug off of the street, unregulated, and from who knows where.”Dueling factions of Republicans offered a litany of amendments that ranged from limiting the prescription of medical marijuana to pharmacies rather than dispensaries to reigning in the scope of advertising.Democrats offered only a handful of amendments attempting once to set a percentage of licenses for dispensaries or growing operations that must be given to “equity groups” like Black, Latino, or low-income Kansans.“The intent of this is to recognize that not everybody in this state could get the capital to open right now and many families have somebody who’s currently incarcerated because they’ve done the very same thing we’re about to issue these licenses for,” said Rep. Jo Ella Hoye.That provision failed 43-68.Rep. Gail Finney, a Democrat from Wichita who has lupus, also gained support from lawmakers to add lupus to the list of medical conditions eligible for medical marijuana.The battle to legalize medical marijuana in Kansas may still fall short this year. Senate President Ty Masterson said earlier in the week that it’s too late for the Senate to look at a bill that it hasn’t worked on this year. Even so, the bill would be ready to advance in the 2022 session.Gov. Laura Kelly would likely support the bill if it made it to her desk. She proposed a much different plan earlier in the session, but has said that in general she supports legalizing medical cannabis in Kansas.“I want Kansans to be able to get the treatment they need here in their home state,” she said earlier this year, “and not have to go someplace else.”Stephen Koranda contributed to this report.Abigail Censky is the political reporter for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/AbigailCensky" target="_blank">@AbigailCensky</a>&nbsp;or email her at abigailcensky (at) kcur (dot) org.