NEW YORK (AP) — Teams of experts are projecting COVID-19′s toll on the U.S. will fall sharply by the end of July, according to research released by the government Wednesday.

But they also warn that a “substantial increase” in hospitalizations and deaths is possible if unvaccinated people do not follow basic precautions such as wearing a mask and keeping their distance from others.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention paper included projections from six research groups. Their assignment was to predict the course of the U.S. epidemic between now and September under different scenarios, depending on how the vaccination drive proceeds and how people behave.

Mainly, it’s good news. Even under scenarios involving disappointing vaccination rates, COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths are expected to drop dramatically by the end of July and continue to fall afterward.

The CDC is now reporting an average of about 350,000 new cases each week, 35,000 hospitalizations and over 4,000 deaths.

Under the most optimistic scenarios considered, by the end of July new weekly national cases could drop below 50,000, hospitalizations to fewer than 1,000, and deaths to between 200 and 300.

“We are not out of the woods yet, but we could be very close,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said, while noting that variants of the coronavirus are a “wild card” that could set back progress.

The projections are probably in line with what many Americans were already expecting for this summer.

With COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations and cases plummeting since January, many states and cities are already moving to ease or lift restrictions on restaurants, bars, theaters and other businesses and talking about getting back to something close to normal this summer.

New York’s subways will start running all night again this month, Las Vegas is bustling again after casino capacity limits were raised, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis this week suspended all restrictions put in place by local governments, though businesses may continue requiring people to wear masks and keep their distance, and many are still doing so.

Many people in Florida have resumed parties, graduations and recitals. Walt Disney World lets guests remove their masks for photographs.

“It does feel like life is returning to normal,” said 67-year-old Vicki Restivo of Miami, who after getting vaccinated resumed outings with her friends at restaurants and traveled to Egypt — and felt “very comfortable” about it.

President Joe Biden on Tuesday set a goal of delivering shots to 70% of U.S. adults by July Fourth. Such a goal, if met, would fit in with the best-case scenarios, said one of the study’s co-authors, CDC biologist Michael Johansson.

Under more pessimistic scenarios, with subpar vaccinations and declining use of masks and social distancing, weekly cases probably would still drop but could number in the hundreds of thousands, with tens of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths.

“Something I am asked often is when will the pandemic be over and when can we go back to normal. The reality is: It all depends on the actions we take now,” Walensky said.

All the projections trend down, illustrating the powerful effect of the vaccination campaign. But there’s a devastating difference between the more gently sloping declines in some scenarios and the more dramatic drops in others, said Jennifer Kates, director of global health and HIV policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation.

“Each of these differences are people’s lives,” said Kates, who is part of a Kaiser research team that has focused on COVID-19 and was not involved in the CDC study.

The U.S. death toll stands at more than 578,000. The CDC paper gives no overall estimate of how high the number of dead might go. But a closely watched projection from the University of Washington shows the curve largely flattening out in the coming months, with the toll reaching about 599,000 by Aug. 1.

More than 56% of the nation’s adults, or close to 146 million people, have received at one dose of vaccine, and almost 41% are fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.

Johansson said the paper is intended not so much as a prediction of exactly what’s going to happen but as a way to understand how things might unfold if vaccination drives or other efforts stumble.

By September, assuming high vaccination rates and continuing use of prevention measures, the models indicate new cases could fall to just a few hundred per week and just tens of hospitalizations and deaths.

The paper also sketched out a worst-case scenario, in which cases could rise to 900,000 per week, hospitalizations to 50,000, and deaths to 10,000. That most likely would happen sometime this month, the projections said.

However, the paper’s projections are based on data available through late March, when the national picture was somewhat darker.

The CDC paper “is already looking a little outdated, because we’ve seen cases continue to go down, and hospitalizations go down, and deaths go down,” Kates said.

Nevertheless, Johansson warned: “We’re still in a tenuous position.”

There is variation from state to state in how well vaccination campaigns are going and how fast restrictions are being abandoned, and that will probably mean some states will suffer a higher toll from COVID-19 than others in the coming months, Kates said.

“If you take the foot off the gas,” she said, “you can really have some bad outcomes.”

The paper doesn’t look past September, and scientists cannot say for sure what the epidemic will look like next fall and winter because it’s not known how enduring vaccine protection will be or whether variants of the virus will prove to be a greater problem.

Like the flu, COVID-19 could increase as people move indoors in the cold weather.

“My hope is with enough people vaccinated we will be able to get to something that will resemble maybe a bad flu season,” said William Hanage, a Harvard University expert on disease dynamics who was not involved in the research. But “it’s not going to go away. It’s not going to be eradicated.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618525698000.png" alt="Vaccinations last month photo courtesy Douglas County Kansas Dept. of Health" />
 <figcaption>Vaccinations last month photo courtesy Douglas County Kansas Dept. of Health</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Teams of experts are projecting COVID-19′s toll on the U.S. will fall sharply by the end of July, according to research released by the government Wednesday.But they also warn that a “substantial increase” in hospitalizations and deaths is possible if unvaccinated people do not follow basic precautions such as wearing a mask and keeping their distance from others.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention paper included projections from six research groups. Their assignment was to predict the course of the U.S. epidemic between now and September under different scenarios, depending on how the vaccination drive proceeds and how people behave.Mainly, it’s good news. Even under scenarios involving disappointing vaccination rates, COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths are expected to drop dramatically by the end of July and continue to fall afterward.The CDC is now reporting an average of about 350,000 new cases each week, 35,000 hospitalizations and over 4,000 deaths.Under the most optimistic scenarios considered, by the end of July new weekly national cases could drop below 50,000, hospitalizations to fewer than 1,000, and deaths to between 200 and 300.“We are not out of the woods yet, but we could be very close,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said, while noting that variants of the coronavirus are a “wild card” that could set back progress.The projections are probably in line with what many Americans were already expecting for this summer.With COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations and cases plummeting since January, many states and cities are already moving to ease or lift restrictions on restaurants, bars, theaters and other businesses and talking about getting back to something close to normal this summer.New York’s subways will start running all night again this month, Las Vegas is bustling again after casino capacity limits were raised, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis this week suspended all restrictions put in place by local governments, though businesses may continue requiring people to wear masks and keep their distance, and many are still doing so.Many people in Florida have resumed parties, graduations and recitals. Walt Disney World lets guests remove their masks for photographs.“It does feel like life is returning to normal,” said 67-year-old Vicki Restivo of Miami, who after getting vaccinated resumed outings with her friends at restaurants and traveled to Egypt — and felt “very comfortable” about it.President Joe Biden on Tuesday set a goal of delivering shots to 70% of U.S. adults by July Fourth. Such a goal, if met, would fit in with the best-case scenarios, said one of the study’s co-authors, CDC biologist Michael Johansson.Under more pessimistic scenarios, with subpar vaccinations and declining use of masks and social distancing, weekly cases probably would still drop but could number in the hundreds of thousands, with tens of thousands of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths.“Something I am asked often is when will the pandemic be over and when can we go back to normal. The reality is: It all depends on the actions we take now,” Walensky said.All the projections trend down, illustrating the powerful effect of the vaccination campaign. But there’s a devastating difference between the more gently sloping declines in some scenarios and the more dramatic drops in others, said Jennifer Kates, director of global health and HIV policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation.“Each of these differences are people’s lives,” said Kates, who is part of a Kaiser research team that has focused on COVID-19 and was not involved in the CDC study.The U.S. death toll stands at more than 578,000. The CDC paper gives no overall estimate of how high the number of dead might go. But a closely watched projection from the University of Washington shows the curve largely flattening out in the coming months, with the toll reaching about 599,000 by Aug. 1.More than 56% of the nation’s adults, or close to 146 million people, have received at one dose of vaccine, and almost 41% are fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.Johansson said the paper is intended not so much as a prediction of exactly what’s going to happen but as a way to understand how things might unfold if vaccination drives or other efforts stumble.By September, assuming high vaccination rates and continuing use of prevention measures, the models indicate new cases could fall to just a few hundred per week and just tens of hospitalizations and deaths.The paper also sketched out a worst-case scenario, in which cases could rise to 900,000 per week, hospitalizations to 50,000, and deaths to 10,000. That most likely would happen sometime this month, the projections said.However, the paper’s projections are based on data available through late March, when the national picture was somewhat darker.The CDC paper “is already looking a little outdated, because we’ve seen cases continue to go down, and hospitalizations go down, and deaths go down,” Kates said.Nevertheless, Johansson warned: “We’re still in a tenuous position.”There is variation from state to state in how well vaccination campaigns are going and how fast restrictions are being abandoned, and that will probably mean some states will suffer a higher toll from COVID-19 than others in the coming months, Kates said.“If you take the foot off the gas,” she said, “you can really have some bad outcomes.”The paper doesn’t look past September, and scientists cannot say for sure what the epidemic will look like next fall and winter because it’s not known how enduring vaccine protection will be or whether variants of the virus will prove to be a greater problem.Like the flu, COVID-19 could increase as people move indoors in the cold weather.“My hope is with enough people vaccinated we will be able to get to something that will resemble maybe a bad flu season,” said William Hanage, a Harvard University expert on disease dynamics who was not involved in the research. But “it’s not going to go away. It’s not going to be eradicated.”___

COVID's US toll projected to drop sharply this summer

TOPEKA—Authorities are working to determine the cause of a fire at a home in Topeka.

Just after 5:30a.m. Thursday, a fire was discovered within apartment #2 in a home at 1524 North Kansas, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.

Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the 2nd floor apartment. The fire was quickly extinguished&nbsp; and contained to the room where it started.

Estimated dollar loss – $35,000.00; of which $25,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $10,000.00 associated with contents loss.

All occupants were able to escape prior to the fire department arrival. One occupant suffered minor smoke inhalation and was treated at the scene, according to Harrison

Two occupants were displaced as a result of the fire incident, and they we’re assist by the American Red Cross.&nbsp;&nbsp;Working smoke detectors were not located within the structure of fire origin, according to Harrison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620319926804.png" alt="The fire caused over $35,000 damage.&nbsp; Photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW-TV" />
 <figcaption>The fire caused over $35,000 damage.&nbsp; Photo by Phil Anderson courtesy WIBW-TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA—Authorities are working to determine the cause of a fire at a home in Topeka.Just after 5:30a.m. Thursday, a fire was discovered within apartment #2 in a home at 1524 North Kansas, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the 2nd floor apartment. The fire was quickly extinguished&nbsp; and contained to the room where it started.Estimated dollar loss – $35,000.00; of which $25,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $10,000.00 associated with contents loss.All occupants were able to escape prior to the fire department arrival. One occupant suffered minor smoke inhalation and was treated at the scene, according to HarrisonTwo occupants were displaced as a result of the fire incident, and they we’re assist by the American Red Cross.&nbsp;&nbsp;Working smoke detectors were not located within the structure of fire origin, according to Harrison.

Man treated for smoke inhalation after fire at Kan. home

WICHITA —The Kansas Board of Regents has appointed Dr. Richard Muma as the 15th president of Wichita State University, effective immediately, according to a media release from the university.&nbsp;

(Click below to watch the Kansas Board of Regents announcement)

Muma has been serving as interim president of Wichita State since September 2020.

Community leaders and members of the Shocker Nation joined virtually and in person on Thursday, May 6, for the announcement by the Kansas Board of Regents.

Muma has been a cornerstone of the campus community for over 25 years as a professor, department chair, executive vice president and provost, acting president and — most recently — interim president.&nbsp;

During his interim presidency, Muma has worked with campus constituency groups to align Wichita State’s priorities with KBOR’s Building a Future plan. Earlier this year, he introduced the university’s priorities as the following:&nbsp;

Muma lives in Wichita with his spouse, Rick Case. Case is the district director for the Farm Service Agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They have two adult sons Drew and Collin and a daughter-in-law, Abi. &nbsp;

Muma and Case are members of the WSU Foundation’s Society of 1895. In 2011, they established Richard D. Muma and Rick A. Case Equality Scholarship in 2011 for students members of Spectrum: LGBTQ &amp; Allies, a WSU student organization.&nbsp;

Muma, who goes by Rick, was born in Wichita but raised in Houston. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston, a Master of Public Health in Community Health from the University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

He has more than 30 years of experience as a professor, administrator and physician assistant in internal medicine and infectious diseases.

Before assuming the executive vice president and provost position in 2018, Muma served as the senior associate vice president for Academic Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management.

While at Wichita State, he has also served as chair and professor in the departments of Public Health Sciences and Physician Assistant. Muma has also served as chair for Saint Louis University's Department of Physician Assistant Education and an assistant professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston’s Department of PA Studies.

As the executive vice president and provost, Muma served as the university's chief academic officer and provided academic leadership for the university's priorities — including enrollment, applied learning, funded research, and regional economic development.

Prior to assuming administrative roles at Wichita State, Muma was active in reshaping health profession education at Wichita State. Most notably, he was responsible for developing undergraduate degrees for paramedics and health science majors, a master’s degree in physician assistant studies, and reorganizing the Department of Public Health Sciences to include undergraduate degrees in health management and health science and a graduate degree in aging studies.

Muma has published his research in notable journals and has edited four books, two on HIV infection and two others on patient education.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620314570677.png" alt="Dr. Richard Muma" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Richard Muma</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA —The Kansas Board of Regents has appointed Dr. Richard Muma as the 15th president of Wichita State University, effective immediately, according to a media release from the university.&nbsp;(Click below to watch the Kansas Board of Regents announcement)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bRS8_OCNnFs?start=400" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Muma has been serving as interim president of Wichita State since September 2020.Community leaders and members of the Shocker Nation joined virtually and in person on Thursday, May 6, for the announcement by the Kansas Board of Regents.Muma has been a cornerstone of the campus community for over 25 years as a professor, department chair, executive vice president and provost, acting president and — most recently — interim president.&nbsp;<h2>Presidential priorities</h2>During his interim presidency, Muma has worked with campus constituency groups to align Wichita State’s priorities with KBOR’s Building a Future plan. Earlier this year, he introduced the university’s priorities as the following:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Provide opportunity for affordable, accessible and impactful education. Wichita State is committed to trying to keep tuition affordable by keeping down costs as much as possible and raising private funds for need-based scholarships. “We know the most important step we can take to support our community and Kansas is to provide educational opportunities for the citizens in our own backyard so they can go on to live productive lives for themselves and their families,” Muma wrote in an April newsletter.</li><li>Support businesses by providing a talent pipeline that meets their needs. Through the university’s Shocker Cities initiative, it’s focused on recruiting out-of-state students along the I-35 corridor at in-state tuition rates and inviting them to come to Wichita State to learn and, hopefully, stay and use their education and talents in Kansas. “All of this is meant to help address local workforce and community issues and also helps to grow the Kansas economy.”</li><li>Grow and diversify our state’s economy. “Through our concerted efforts in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and smart manufacturing, Wichita State is at the forefront of growing and supporting innovative industries, career opportunities, and economic prosperity in Kansas,” Muma wrote.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><h2>Personal and family</h2>Muma lives in Wichita with his spouse, Rick Case. Case is the district director for the Farm Service Agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They have two adult sons Drew and Collin and a daughter-in-law, Abi. &nbsp;Muma and Case are members of the WSU Foundation’s Society of 1895. In 2011, they established Richard D. Muma and Rick A. Case Equality Scholarship in 2011 for students members of Spectrum: LGBTQ &amp; Allies, a WSU student organization.&nbsp;<h2>Richard Muma background</h2>Muma, who goes by Rick, was born in Wichita but raised in Houston. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston, a Master of Public Health in Community Health from the University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.He has more than 30 years of experience as a professor, administrator and physician assistant in internal medicine and infectious diseases.Before assuming the executive vice president and provost position in 2018, Muma served as the senior associate vice president for Academic Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management.While at Wichita State, he has also served as chair and professor in the departments of Public Health Sciences and Physician Assistant. Muma has also served as chair for Saint Louis University's Department of Physician Assistant Education and an assistant professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston’s Department of PA Studies.As the executive vice president and provost, Muma served as the university's chief academic officer and provided academic leadership for the university's priorities — including enrollment, applied learning, funded research, and regional economic development.Prior to assuming administrative roles at Wichita State, Muma was active in reshaping health profession education at Wichita State. Most notably, he was responsible for developing undergraduate degrees for paramedics and health science majors, a master’s degree in physician assistant studies, and reorganizing the Department of Public Health Sciences to include undergraduate degrees in health management and health science and a graduate degree in aging studies.Muma has published his research in notable journals and has edited four books, two on HIV infection and two others on patient education.&nbsp;

🎥 Richard Muma named president of Wichita State University

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police in Kansas City are investigating the fatal shootings of three people in separate attacks in a 7-hour period overnight.

The first shooting happened around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, when officers were called to a business parking lot along Blue Parkway and found a man with gunshot wounds, police said in a news release. The man was taken to a hospital, where he died of his injuries.

Early investigation revealed there was a fight inside a business that led to the shooting, police said. Investigators were interviewing witnesses and contacting nearby businesses to see if there is any surveillance video of the shooting, police said.

Around 10 p.m., police were called to Hillcrest Avenue and found a man in the street who had been shot and died at the scene, police said. Several hours later, around 4:30 a.m. Thursday, another person was fatally shot near 85th Street and Euclid Avenue, police said. Police did not release more information on the later shootings.

The victims’ names were not immediately released, and no arrests in any of the cases had been announced by early Thursday morning.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620310811190.png" alt="Police in the parking lot of a business late Wednesday on a deadly night&nbsp; of violence in Kansas City -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police in the parking lot of a business late Wednesday on a deadly night&nbsp; of violence in Kansas City -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police in Kansas City are investigating the fatal shootings of three people in separate attacks in a 7-hour period overnight.The first shooting happened around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, when officers were called to a business parking lot along Blue Parkway and found a man with gunshot wounds, police said in a news release. The man was taken to a hospital, where he died of his injuries.Early investigation revealed there was a fight inside a business that led to the shooting, police said. Investigators were interviewing witnesses and contacting nearby businesses to see if there is any surveillance video of the shooting, police said.Around 10 p.m., police were called to Hillcrest Avenue and found a man in the street who had been shot and died at the scene, police said. Several hours later, around 4:30 a.m. Thursday, another person was fatally shot near 85th Street and Euclid Avenue, police said. Police did not release more information on the later shootings.The victims’ names were not immediately released, and no arrests in any of the cases had been announced by early Thursday morning.

Deadly night in Kansas City: 3 shooting deaths in 7 hours

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a bank robbery.

On Wednesday, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Independence Police Department along with Montgomery County authorities investigated a bank robbery that occurred at Equity Bank&nbsp;112 E Myrtle Street in Independence, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.

At 4 p.m. Deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s office were assisting South Coffeyville Police Department with an injury accident that occurred on U.S. 169 at the Oklahoma State line. While deputies were directing traffic,&nbsp; one deputy observed the suspect and suspect vehicle drive slowly by him north bound on U.S. 169 toward Coffeyville. The deputy&nbsp; then gave chase in his patrol unit.

The case went through residential streets in Coffeyville, then back onto North U.S. 169. The suspect lost control of his vehicle at County Road 3200 and U.S. 169. At that time the suspect later identified a Paul Duane Gordon, 35, Marshfield, Missouri, exited his vehicle and ran on foot across a field, where he was taken into custody by Montgomery County Deputies.

Deputies took Gordon into custody and transported him to the Montgomery Department of Corrections where he was booked on requested charges of Aggravated Bank Robbery, Flee and eluding and reckless driving, according to Wade.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620262909672.png" alt="Gordon photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Gordon photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a bank robbery.On Wednesday, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Independence Police Department along with Montgomery County authorities investigated a bank robbery that occurred at Equity Bank&nbsp;112 E Myrtle Street in Independence, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.At 4 p.m. Deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s office were assisting South Coffeyville Police Department with an injury accident that occurred on U.S. 169 at the Oklahoma State line. While deputies were directing traffic,&nbsp; one deputy observed the suspect and suspect vehicle drive slowly by him north bound on U.S. 169 toward Coffeyville. The deputy&nbsp; then gave chase in his patrol unit.The case went through residential streets in Coffeyville, then back onto North U.S. 169. The suspect lost control of his vehicle at County Road 3200 and U.S. 169. At that time the suspect later identified a Paul Duane Gordon, 35, Marshfield, Missouri, exited his vehicle and ran on foot across a field, where he was taken into custody by Montgomery County Deputies.Deputies took Gordon into custody and transported him to the Montgomery Department of Corrections where he was booked on requested charges of Aggravated Bank Robbery, Flee and eluding and reckless driving, according to Wade.

Kan. bank robbery suspect captured after chase, crash

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Conservative Republicans who see the federal government as out of control split Wednesday and halted the push in Kansas for a convention of states to propose changes to the U.S. Constitution.

The state Senate spent nearly three hours during the final days of its annual session to consider&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/scr1611_01_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a resolution</a>&nbsp;asking Congress to call a convention. Some backers hoped its approval would help settle an obscure legal question vexing them, but senators thwarted their plans by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210505173233_654867/" target="_blank">voting 21-19</a>&nbsp;to send the resolution back to committee.

“It does nothing to send it back, except delay the project and maybe kill it,” said Acting Senate Majority Leader Larry Alley, a Winfield Republican.

Convention backers envision a one-vote-per-state gathering that proposes “fiscal restraints” on the federal government and term limits for Congress. Convention of States Action, a group pushing the idea, says on&nbsp;<a href="https://conventionofstates.com/" target="_blank">its website</a>&nbsp;that it wants to “bring power back to the states” from Washington’s “unelected bureaucrats.”

<a href="https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/constitution/article-v.html" target="_blank">The U.S. Constitution</a>&nbsp;says Congress shall call a convention if the legislatures of two-thirds of the states, or 34, apply. To call for a constitutional convention,&nbsp;<a href="https://kslib.info/828/Article-2-Legislative" target="_blank">the Kansas Constitution</a>&nbsp;requires the approval of two-thirds of each chamber of its Legislature.

Kansas convention supporters have mustered simple majorities in the Legislature in the past but not two-thirds majorities. They argued Wednesday that because the U.S. Constitution doesn’t set a margin for legislatures, state constitutions can’t require a supermajority. Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican, agreed in&nbsp;<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/ag-opinions/2019/2019-010.pdf?sfvrsn=91aad1a_6" target="_blank">a 2019 legal opinion.</a>

Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican and convention supporter, hoped to pass the resolution with 21 to 26 votes in the 40-member chamber. Although that would be shy of a two-thirds majority, he said he would declare the measure passed and expect to spark a lawsuit to settle the question of what’s required for Kansas to join the call.

“I would like, eventually, an answer to that question,” Masterson said after the Senate’s vote.

The Senate’s debate came as leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature hoped to wrap up the year’s business by week’s end. GOP lawmakers are negotiating with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly over school funding and education policy proposals, and legislators also had to finish the next state budget.

Convention of States Action says 15 states have applied for a convention. The debate Wednesday in Kansas was mostly among the Senate’s 29 Republicans. All 11 Democrats voted to send the resolution back to committee, and they generally worry about how a convention would operate and what might come out.

Asked why fellow Democrats weren’t more active, Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, of Lenexa, smiled and said: “Republicans were doing just fine.”

Some Republicans are skeptical that a convention would result in conservative changes in the U.S. Constitution because proposals still would have to be ratified by three-fourths of the states, or 38. But on Wednesday, several were more concerned that skirting the state constitution’s two-thirds requirement would be an abuse of power as bad as any from Washington.

“We’re endangering our future to operate on a normal basis,” said Sen. Rob Olson, an Olathe Republican. “The Kansas Constitution is just too important to throw it away.”

Mark Meckler, president of Convention of States Action, said approving the resolution by a simple majority and helping to get the legal question answered would counter people who “cower in fear while the country crumbles around them.”

Masterson and other Republicans rejected the idea that convention backers’ plans would ignore the state constitution if successful.

“The debate was fun. I had a good time,” Masterson told reporters afterward. “We took the shot and ended where we did, and that’s OK.”

By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Conservative Republicans who see the federal government as out of control split Wednesday and halted the push in Kansas for a convention of states to propose changes to the U.S. Constitution.The state Senate spent nearly three hours during the final days of its annual session to consider&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/scr1611_01_0000.pdf" target="_blank">a resolution</a>&nbsp;asking Congress to call a convention. Some backers hoped its approval would help settle an obscure legal question vexing them, but senators thwarted their plans by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/vote_view/je_20210505173233_654867/" target="_blank">voting 21-19</a>&nbsp;to send the resolution back to committee.“It does nothing to send it back, except delay the project and maybe kill it,” said Acting Senate Majority Leader Larry Alley, a Winfield Republican.Convention backers envision a one-vote-per-state gathering that proposes “fiscal restraints” on the federal government and term limits for Congress. Convention of States Action, a group pushing the idea, says on&nbsp;<a href="https://conventionofstates.com/" target="_blank">its website</a>&nbsp;that it wants to “bring power back to the states” from Washington’s “unelected bureaucrats.”<a href="https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/constitution/article-v.html" target="_blank">The U.S. Constitution</a>&nbsp;says Congress shall call a convention if the legislatures of two-thirds of the states, or 34, apply. To call for a constitutional convention,&nbsp;<a href="https://kslib.info/828/Article-2-Legislative" target="_blank">the Kansas Constitution</a>&nbsp;requires the approval of two-thirds of each chamber of its Legislature.Kansas convention supporters have mustered simple majorities in the Legislature in the past but not two-thirds majorities. They argued Wednesday that because the U.S. Constitution doesn’t set a margin for legislatures, state constitutions can’t require a supermajority. Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican, agreed in&nbsp;<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/ag-opinions/2019/2019-010.pdf?sfvrsn=91aad1a_6" target="_blank">a 2019 legal opinion.</a>Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican and convention supporter, hoped to pass the resolution with 21 to 26 votes in the 40-member chamber. Although that would be shy of a two-thirds majority, he said he would declare the measure passed and expect to spark a lawsuit to settle the question of what’s required for Kansas to join the call.“I would like, eventually, an answer to that question,” Masterson said after the Senate’s vote.The Senate’s debate came as leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature hoped to wrap up the year’s business by week’s end. GOP lawmakers are negotiating with Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly over school funding and education policy proposals, and legislators also had to finish the next state budget.Convention of States Action says 15 states have applied for a convention. The debate Wednesday in Kansas was mostly among the Senate’s 29 Republicans. All 11 Democrats voted to send the resolution back to committee, and they generally worry about how a convention would operate and what might come out.Asked why fellow Democrats weren’t more active, Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, of Lenexa, smiled and said: “Republicans were doing just fine.”Some Republicans are skeptical that a convention would result in conservative changes in the U.S. Constitution because proposals still would have to be ratified by three-fourths of the states, or 38. But on Wednesday, several were more concerned that skirting the state constitution’s two-thirds requirement would be an abuse of power as bad as any from Washington.“We’re endangering our future to operate on a normal basis,” said Sen. Rob Olson, an Olathe Republican. “The Kansas Constitution is just too important to throw it away.”Mark Meckler, president of Convention of States Action, said approving the resolution by a simple majority and helping to get the legal question answered would counter people who “cower in fear while the country crumbles around them.”Masterson and other Republicans rejected the idea that convention backers’ plans would ignore the state constitution if successful.“The debate was fun. I had a good time,” Masterson told reporters afterward. “We took the shot and ended where we did, and that’s OK.”

GOP's split halts push in Kansas for convention of states

FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a kidnapping, vehicle theft and continue to search for a suspect.

Just after 5 a.m. Wednesday, police were&nbsp; dispatched to 4101 E Highway 50 Lot 379 in reference to a missing vehicle and child inside, according to Lt. Jason Chase.

Through the initial investigation it was determined that a 14-month-old&nbsp;Sebastian Bautist was inside a 2011 White Chevy Tahoe that was stolen from the driveway of the residence.

An immediate response to locate the vehicle and boy was conducted with the assistance of the Finney County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol and Kansas Bureau of Investigation. 

 The child and vehicle were found in the area of 4200 Block of Nancy in Garden City when an individual observed a vehicle matching the description from the Amber Alert. The boy was not injured. Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620217372421.png" alt="Sebastian Bautista photo Garden City Police" />
 <figcaption>Sebastian Bautista photo Garden City Police</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a kidnapping, vehicle theft and continue to search for a suspect.Just after 5 a.m. Wednesday, police were&nbsp; dispatched to 4101 E Highway 50 Lot 379 in reference to a missing vehicle and child inside, according to Lt. Jason Chase.Through the initial investigation it was determined that a 14-month-old&nbsp;Sebastian Bautist was inside a 2011 White Chevy Tahoe that was stolen from the driveway of the residence.An immediate response to locate the vehicle and boy was conducted with the assistance of the Finney County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol and Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The child and vehicle were found in the area of 4200 Block of Nancy in Garden City when an individual observed a vehicle matching the description from the Amber Alert. The boy was not injured. Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact police.

Police: Search continues for suspect in SW Kan. Amber Alert 

BARTON COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just before 4p..m. Wednesday in Barton County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Western Star semi driven by Francisco E.&nbsp;Martinez-Solano, 47, Bazine, was southbound on U.S. 281 one mile north of the Stafford/Barton County line.

The semi blew a left front steering tire crossed the center line into the path of northbound 2012 GMC Sierra driven by Gerald A. Hinson, 59, Great Bend.

The semi continued into the east ditch and rolled onto its side and the pickup came to rest in the east ditch.

Hinson was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported Bryant Funeral Home. EMS transported a passenger in the GMC Ryan James&nbsp;Kohman, 23, Great Bend, to the hospital in Great Bend. Martinez-Solano was not transported for treatment.&nbsp;Kohman was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

BARTON COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just before 4p..m. Wednesday in Barton County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Western Star semi driven by Francisco E.&nbsp;Martinez-Solano, 47, Bazine, was southbound on U.S. 281 one mile north of the Stafford/Barton County line.The semi blew a left front steering tire crossed the center line into the path of northbound 2012 GMC Sierra driven by Gerald A. Hinson, 59, Great Bend.The semi continued into the east ditch and rolled onto its side and the pickup came to rest in the east ditch.Hinson was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported Bryant Funeral Home. EMS transported a passenger in the GMC Ryan James&nbsp;Kohman, 23, Great Bend, to the hospital in Great Bend. Martinez-Solano was not transported for treatment.&nbsp;Kohman was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kan. man dies, 1 hospitalized after crash with a semi

COWLEY COUNTY—A Kansas man is facing more jail time for a fifth DUI arrest since 2009.

Just before 6p.m. April 28, police were dispatched to west-central Arkansas City, Kansas for a report of a vehicle being driven on the wrong side of the roadway that almost had struck another oncoming vehicle, according to a media release.

Police located the vehicle in the 300 block of North A Street and conducted a traffic stop. The driver identified as 40-year-old Jason Dale Patton&nbsp; was transported to the Arkansas City Police Department for further testing.

Following testing, Patton allegedly became irate and combative, slamming his own head multiple times into the holding room wall. After he later complained of head pain, he was evaluated by the Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department.

As Patton was being escorted outside the building for transport to the county jail, he then allegedly kicked and kneed holes into the wall of the police department.

Patton also began resisting the officers and had to be physically restrained prior to his transport.

Officers booked Patton on requested charges of one felony count each of driving under the influence (fifth offense) and interference with a law enforcement officer.

He also was arrested on one misdemeanor count each of criminal damage to property, driving with a suspended driver’s license and transporting an open container of alcohol, according to police.

Patton was transported to and booked into the Cowley County Jail in Winfield in lieu of $9,300 bond through Cowley County District Court in Arkansas City. He since has posted bond and been released.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620245096228.png" alt="Patton photo Cowley County" />
 <figcaption>Patton photo Cowley County</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY—A Kansas man is facing more jail time for a fifth DUI arrest since 2009.Just before 6p.m. April 28, police were dispatched to west-central Arkansas City, Kansas for a report of a vehicle being driven on the wrong side of the roadway that almost had struck another oncoming vehicle, according to a media release.Police located the vehicle in the 300 block of North A Street and conducted a traffic stop. The driver identified as 40-year-old Jason Dale Patton&nbsp; was transported to the Arkansas City Police Department for further testing.Following testing, Patton allegedly became irate and combative, slamming his own head multiple times into the holding room wall. After he later complained of head pain, he was evaluated by the Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department.As Patton was being escorted outside the building for transport to the county jail, he then allegedly kicked and kneed holes into the wall of the police department.Patton also began resisting the officers and had to be physically restrained prior to his transport.Officers booked Patton on requested charges of one felony count each of driving under the influence (fifth offense) and interference with a law enforcement officer.He also was arrested on one misdemeanor count each of criminal damage to property, driving with a suspended driver’s license and transporting an open container of alcohol, according to police.Patton was transported to and booked into the Cowley County Jail in Winfield in lieu of $9,300 bond through Cowley County District Court in Arkansas City. He since has posted bond and been released.

Police: Kan. man faces more jail time after 5th DUI arrest

KANSAS CITY(AP) — A grand jury has indicted a University of Missouri-Kansas City student on second-degree murder and armed criminal action counts in the March shooting death of another man over what police called a gambling feud.

Zyan Teague, 21, is charged in the March 20 death of 31-year-old Byren Dennie, of Kansas City.&nbsp; Officers found Dennie lying in the grass in an empty lot in the Ivanhoe Southwest neighborhood with gunshot wounds. He was taken to a hospital, where he died.

Witnesses told police that Teague was among a group of people invited to Dennie’s home after leaving a Kansas City night club, investigators said. The group had been gambling when an argument began that led to a fight outside the home, police said.

Witnesses said that Teague had fought with Dennie outside, and police said Teague was allegedly seen leaving the area in a silver sedan registered to him. Police said shell casings and a shoe left behind at the scene were matched to a gun, ammunition and the other shoe later found in Teague’s dorm room.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620134752722.png" alt="Teague photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Teague photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY(AP) — A grand jury has indicted a University of Missouri-Kansas City student on second-degree murder and armed criminal action counts in the March shooting death of another man over what police called a gambling feud.Zyan Teague, 21, is charged in the March 20 death of 31-year-old Byren Dennie, of Kansas City.&nbsp; Officers found Dennie lying in the grass in an empty lot in the Ivanhoe Southwest neighborhood with gunshot wounds. He was taken to a hospital, where he died.Witnesses told police that Teague was among a group of people invited to Dennie’s home after leaving a Kansas City night club, investigators said. The group had been gambling when an argument began that led to a fight outside the home, police said.Witnesses said that Teague had fought with Dennie outside, and police said Teague was allegedly seen leaving the area in a silver sedan registered to him. Police said shell casings and a shoe left behind at the scene were matched to a gun, ammunition and the other shoe later found in Teague’s dorm room.

UMKC student charged in gambling feud shooting death

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a detention deputy on sex charges.

On Tuesday, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office received information concerning a detention deputy having sexual contact with a female inmate, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick.

The Investigations Division of the Sheriff’s Office investigated the complaint and determined enough probable cause existed to arrest the detention deputy identified as 40-year-old Tony LoSavio for eight counts of unlawful sexual relations.

&nbsp;LoSavio, began employment with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office in March of 2017 and has been placed on an unpaid suspension.

Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter said charges in the case are expected by Friday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620228617694.png" alt="LoSavio photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>LoSavio photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a detention deputy on sex charges.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSedgwickCountySheriff%2Fvideos%2F292222212392172%2F&show_text=false&width=560" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>On Tuesday, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office received information concerning a detention deputy having sexual contact with a female inmate, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick.The Investigations Division of the Sheriff’s Office investigated the complaint and determined enough probable cause existed to arrest the detention deputy identified as 40-year-old Tony LoSavio for eight counts of unlawful sexual relations.&nbsp;LoSavio, began employment with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office in March of 2017 and has been placed on an unpaid suspension.Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter said charges in the case are expected by Friday.

🎥 Kansas jail deputy accused of sex with inmate

SEDGWICK COUNTY —One of two Kansas teens arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Erik Stokes at a Wichita apartment&nbsp; made her first court appearance Tuesday.

Breckyn Elliott, 18 of Wichita, was charged with 1st degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just before 7p.m. April 25, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at the&nbsp;Morgan's Landing Apartments complex in the 3800 Block of West 13th Street in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.

Through the investigation, detectives determined the two pictured suspects and possibly other were involved in the incident.

When officers arrived, they learned there were five individuals inside the apartment at the time of the incident. One who was fatally shot has been identified as 17-year-old Eric Stokes of Wichita.

EMS transported a second shooting victim identified as a 17-year-old boy to a local hospital. He was treated for minor injuries and released, according to Stephens.

Investigators learned that three unknown, armed suspects arrived at the apartment, forced their way in and fired several shots that killed Stokes.&nbsp; The suspects fled on foot from the apartment complex.&nbsp; It was not a random incident and drugs are believed to have played a part, according to Stephens.

On April 26, police released a video of two suspects involved in the homicide.&nbsp; After the release, police received numerous tips from the community, which led to the identification and arrest of Easton Palmer on Tuesday evening at a home in the 11200 block of west Dora in Wichita without incident.

Elliott's next court date is May 13, according to the district attorney. Her bond is $250,000.&nbsp;

Law enforcement authorities continue their search for a third suspect and are asking the public for help to locate 25-year-old Jaron C. Palmer in connection with the murder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619801567819.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —One of two Kansas teens arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Erik Stokes at a Wichita apartment&nbsp; made her first court appearance Tuesday.Breckyn Elliott, 18 of Wichita, was charged with 1st degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just before 7p.m. April 25, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at the&nbsp;Morgan's Landing Apartments complex in the 3800 Block of West 13th Street in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619547988764.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Through the investigation, detectives determined the two pictured suspects and possibly other were involved in the incident.When officers arrived, they learned there were five individuals inside the apartment at the time of the incident. One who was fatally shot has been identified as 17-year-old Eric Stokes of Wichita.EMS transported a second shooting victim identified as a 17-year-old boy to a local hospital. He was treated for minor injuries and released, according to Stephens.Investigators learned that three unknown, armed suspects arrived at the apartment, forced their way in and fired several shots that killed Stokes.&nbsp; The suspects fled on foot from the apartment complex.&nbsp; It was not a random incident and drugs are believed to have played a part, according to Stephens.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619618101953.png" alt="Easton Palmer was charged with murder in the case- photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Easton Palmer was charged with murder in the case- photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>On April 26, police released a video of two suspects involved in the homicide.&nbsp; After the release, police received numerous tips from the community, which led to the identification and arrest of Easton Palmer on Tuesday evening at a home in the 11200 block of west Dora in Wichita without incident.Elliott's next court date is May 13, according to the district attorney. Her bond is $250,000.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619801280517.png" alt="Jaron Palmer-photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Jaron Palmer-photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Law enforcement authorities continue their search for a third suspect and are asking the public for help to locate 25-year-old Jaron C. Palmer in connection with the murder.

2nd Kan. teen charged for apartment robbery, murder

BROWN COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 9a.m. Wednesday in Brown County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Buick Century driven by Martin Charles Richbourg, 22, Falls City, Nebraska, was&nbsp; northbound on Horned Owl Road six miles east of Morrill.

A 2007 Acura MDX driven by Tad Jeremy Alfrey, 40, Seneca was southbound and both vehicles approached a curve at the same time. 

Alfrey swerved to avoid the Buick traveling northbound in the southbound lane. Both vehicles swerved and collided in the northbound lanes.

A passenger in the Buick identified as Andrew S Vaughan, 36, Falls City, Nebraska, was pronounced dead at the scene.

EMS transported Richbourg to KU Medical Center. Alfrey was not injured.&nbsp;Vaughan was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

BROWN COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 9a.m. Wednesday in Brown County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Buick Century driven by Martin Charles Richbourg, 22, Falls City, Nebraska, was&nbsp; northbound on Horned Owl Road six miles east of Morrill.A 2007 Acura MDX driven by Tad Jeremy Alfrey, 40, Seneca was southbound and both vehicles approached a curve at the same time. Alfrey swerved to avoid the Buick traveling northbound in the southbound lane. Both vehicles swerved and collided in the northbound lanes.A passenger in the Buick identified as Andrew S Vaughan, 36, Falls City, Nebraska, was pronounced dead at the scene.EMS transported Richbourg to KU Medical Center. Alfrey was not injured.&nbsp;Vaughan was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

1 dead, 1 hospitalized after wrong-way Kan. crash

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that Kansas has administered over two million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, more than doubling the number of doses administered in about six weeks, according to a media release from her office.

“Kansas is making measurable progress getting shots in arms across the state, but we have more work to do to reach herd immunity and ensure Kansans get back to work, back to school, and back to normal,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“Cases of COVID-19 variants are rising across the state. To maintain our recovery efforts, we must ensure that every Kansan is vaccinated.”

To date, the CDC reports that Kansas has administered 2,059,674 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. About 43% of Kansans have received at least their first dose, with nearly 33% fully vaccinated.

“This is a great milestone for Kansas, but there is still more work to do,”&nbsp;Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said.&nbsp;“We encourage all Kansans who have yet to be vaccinated to take that initial step to get vaccinated.”

“My administration is concerned with reports that some counties in Kansas are turning away vaccines due to vaccine hesitancy in some communities,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“I want to be clear. The vaccine is safe, it’s effective, and it’s free. I urge all Kansans to get vaccinated, and to encourage your families, friends, and communities to do the same.”

All Kansans are encouraged to visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.q-_PdK20y5JJyLAyLc6_cCrEdEtnx1ZHpo8tqtncKxg/s/1303160919/br/105924978956-l" target="_blank">Vaccines.gov</a>&nbsp;to find the nearest location with an available vaccine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620248014592.png" alt="Vaccination clinic Wednesday in Wichita-photo courtesy Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Vaccination clinic Wednesday in Wichita-photo courtesy Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that Kansas has administered over two million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, more than doubling the number of doses administered in about six weeks, according to a media release from her office.“Kansas is making measurable progress getting shots in arms across the state, but we have more work to do to reach herd immunity and ensure Kansans get back to work, back to school, and back to normal,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“Cases of COVID-19 variants are rising across the state. To maintain our recovery efforts, we must ensure that every Kansan is vaccinated.”To date, the CDC reports that Kansas has administered 2,059,674 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. About 43% of Kansans have received at least their first dose, with nearly 33% fully vaccinated.“This is a great milestone for Kansas, but there is still more work to do,”&nbsp;Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said.&nbsp;“We encourage all Kansans who have yet to be vaccinated to take that initial step to get vaccinated.”“My administration is concerned with reports that some counties in Kansas are turning away vaccines due to vaccine hesitancy in some communities,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“I want to be clear. The vaccine is safe, it’s effective, and it’s free. I urge all Kansans to get vaccinated, and to encourage your families, friends, and communities to do the same.”All Kansans are encouraged to visit&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.q-_PdK20y5JJyLAyLc6_cCrEdEtnx1ZHpo8tqtncKxg/s/1303160919/br/105924978956-l" target="_blank">Vaccines.gov</a>&nbsp;to find the nearest location with an available vaccine.

Kansas has administered over 2 million COVID vaccines

By BRIAN GRIMMETT <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/evergy-plans-major-coal-shutdowns-environmental-groups-say-its-not-fast-enough">Kansas News Service</a>

Scientists say that if we’re going to stop rising global 
temperatures, the world will need to greatly reduce the amount of carbon
 it’s emitting into the air.

Electricity production is one of the
 largest culprits and transitioning away from fossil fuels is seen as a 
key step in stopping climate change.

Under mounting pressure to ditch fossil fuels and amid shifting economics that make coal increasingly less competitive, the<a href="https://newsroom.evergy.com/2021-04-30-Evergy-Sets-Goal-for-Net-Zero-Carbon-Emissions-by-2045,-Interim-Carbon-Reduction-Target-of-70-percent-by-2030" target="_blank"> largest utility in Kansas pledges to close nearly all of its coal-burning plants</a> in the next 20 years.

In the meantime, it’s moving to harvest more energy from the wind and the sun.

Environmental groups remain unimpressed. They say Evergy could abandon coal for renewable energy far more quickly.

The update comes from the latest <a href="https://www.efis.psc.mo.gov/mpsc/commoncomponents/view_itemno_details.asp?caseno=EO-2021-0035&amp;attach_id=2021018545" target="_blank">long-term planning document</a>
 Evergy is required to file with state regulators in Missouri. Kansas 
regulators are also asking for a state-specific plan for the first time.
 That’s not due for another month.

“We are ahead of the national 
average and ahead of most utilities in the amount of carbon reduction 
that we’ll be able to do,” Evergy spokesman Chuck Caisley said.

The
 plan calls for retiring about 20% of its coal power generating capacity
 in the next ten years. Evergy would retire its last three coal plants 
in 2039.

The first plant scheduled for retirement is Lawrence 
Energy Center in 2023. A plant near St. Joseph, Missouri would close in 
2024, followed by a unit north of Topeka in 2030 and a unit near La 
Cygne, Kansas in 2032.

“That falls way short of what’s needed in 
order to stop the climate crisis,” said Andy Knott, a deputy regional 
director of the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign.

But Caisley 
said Evergy can’t shift to renewable energy until it has the capacity to
 generate enough electricity to replace it. And even though it’ll keep 
some coal-burning plants open until 2039, they likely won’t be operating
 at full capacity. Instead, they’ll be run seasonally to meet peak 
demands.

The plan would reduce Evergy’s carbon emissions by 70% 
from 2005 levels by 2030. The Biden administration would like to see the
 electricity generation sector have net-zero emissions by 2035. Evergy’s
 current plan wouldn’t get there until 2045.

Beto Lugo is the executive director of <a href="http://cankc.org/about-us/" target="_blank">Clean Air Now</a>,
 an environmental justice organization in Kansas City. He said the 
closure of the coal plants is a big win for communities of color that 
are often more impacted by pollution than other groups.

“That’s 
why the communities need to be a part of those discussions,” he said. 
“They need to be at the table guiding a lot of these projects.”

Lugo said it’s particularly important that those communities benefit in some way from the renewable energy projects planned.

Evergy
 says it plans to build 3,200 megawatts of renewable energy in the next 
decade, nearly doubling its renewable capacity. Most of the new 
development will be in large-scale solar energy farms. The first project
 would be completed as early as 2023.

The Sierra Club’s Knott and
 other environmental advocates also worry that the plan calls for 
potentially building several new natural gas power plants after 2035. 
They would provide always-ready power to replace some of the lost coal. 
(Wind and solar lack the on-demand convenience of coal and gas.) While 
natural gas releases fewer carbon emissions than coal, it’s still a 
fossil fuel built on a supply chain that emits large amounts of 
greenhouse gases.

“Building new gas would continue the climate disaster,” Knott said. “That is not the right direction to go.”

But
 Caisley said the analysis for the plan was done using today’s 
technology at today’s prices. He said the further the plan gets into the
 future, changes are nearly inevitable.

“Our hope is that over 
that time period the technology exists in order to not have to make an 
investment in carbon,” he said. “But we’re not there yet.”

The plan was also made without considering <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/utilities-just-got-new-financial-tool-could-speed-end-coal-plants-kansas" target="_blank">newly approved financial tools</a> that would make it easier and more financially appealing for Evergy to retire older coal plants earlier than expected.

Ashok
 Gupta is an energy economist with the National Resource Defense 
Council. He said the plan is definitely a step in the right direction, 
but it needs to do more of what is proposed, and quicker.

He said the new financial tool will play a key role in making that happen.

“This is not the end of the process,” Gupta said. “And we expect a lot to change even in the annual update by next year.”

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620231284103.png" alt=" Lawrence Energy Center Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Lawrence Energy Center Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRIAN GRIMMETT <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/evergy-plans-major-coal-shutdowns-environmental-groups-say-its-not-fast-enough">Kansas News Service</a>Scientists say that if we’re going to stop rising global 
temperatures, the world will need to greatly reduce the amount of carbon
 it’s emitting into the air.Electricity production is one of the
 largest culprits and transitioning away from fossil fuels is seen as a 
key step in stopping climate change.Under mounting pressure to ditch fossil fuels and amid shifting economics that make coal increasingly less competitive, the<a href="https://newsroom.evergy.com/2021-04-30-Evergy-Sets-Goal-for-Net-Zero-Carbon-Emissions-by-2045,-Interim-Carbon-Reduction-Target-of-70-percent-by-2030" target="_blank"> largest utility in Kansas pledges to close nearly all of its coal-burning plants</a> in the next 20 years.In the meantime, it’s moving to harvest more energy from the wind and the sun.Environmental groups remain unimpressed. They say Evergy could abandon coal for renewable energy far more quickly.The update comes from the latest <a href="https://www.efis.psc.mo.gov/mpsc/commoncomponents/view_itemno_details.asp?caseno=EO-2021-0035&amp;attach_id=2021018545" target="_blank">long-term planning document</a>
 Evergy is required to file with state regulators in Missouri. Kansas 
regulators are also asking for a state-specific plan for the first time.
 That’s not due for another month.“We are ahead of the national 
average and ahead of most utilities in the amount of carbon reduction 
that we’ll be able to do,” Evergy spokesman Chuck Caisley said.The
 plan calls for retiring about 20% of its coal power generating capacity
 in the next ten years. Evergy would retire its last three coal plants 
in 2039.The first plant scheduled for retirement is Lawrence 
Energy Center in 2023. A plant near St. Joseph, Missouri would close in 
2024, followed by a unit north of Topeka in 2030 and a unit near La 
Cygne, Kansas in 2032.“That falls way short of what’s needed in 
order to stop the climate crisis,” said Andy Knott, a deputy regional 
director of the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign.But Caisley 
said Evergy can’t shift to renewable energy until it has the capacity to
 generate enough electricity to replace it. And even though it’ll keep 
some coal-burning plants open until 2039, they likely won’t be operating
 at full capacity. Instead, they’ll be run seasonally to meet peak 
demands.The plan would reduce Evergy’s carbon emissions by 70% 
from 2005 levels by 2030. The Biden administration would like to see the
 electricity generation sector have net-zero emissions by 2035. Evergy’s
 current plan wouldn’t get there until 2045.Beto Lugo is the executive director of <a href="http://cankc.org/about-us/" target="_blank">Clean Air Now</a>,
 an environmental justice organization in Kansas City. He said the 
closure of the coal plants is a big win for communities of color that 
are often more impacted by pollution than other groups.“That’s 
why the communities need to be a part of those discussions,” he said. 
“They need to be at the table guiding a lot of these projects.”Lugo said it’s particularly important that those communities benefit in some way from the renewable energy projects planned.Evergy
 says it plans to build 3,200 megawatts of renewable energy in the next 
decade, nearly doubling its renewable capacity. Most of the new 
development will be in large-scale solar energy farms. The first project
 would be completed as early as 2023.The Sierra Club’s Knott and
 other environmental advocates also worry that the plan calls for 
potentially building several new natural gas power plants after 2035. 
They would provide always-ready power to replace some of the lost coal. 
(Wind and solar lack the on-demand convenience of coal and gas.) While 
natural gas releases fewer carbon emissions than coal, it’s still a 
fossil fuel built on a supply chain that emits large amounts of 
greenhouse gases.“Building new gas would continue the climate disaster,” Knott said. “That is not the right direction to go.”But
 Caisley said the analysis for the plan was done using today’s 
technology at today’s prices. He said the further the plan gets into the
 future, changes are nearly inevitable.“Our hope is that over 
that time period the technology exists in order to not have to make an 
investment in carbon,” he said. “But we’re not there yet.”The plan was also made without considering <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/utilities-just-got-new-financial-tool-could-speed-end-coal-plants-kansas" target="_blank">newly approved financial tools</a> that would make it easier and more financially appealing for Evergy to retire older coal plants earlier than expected.Ashok
 Gupta is an energy economist with the National Resource Defense 
Council. He said the plan is definitely a step in the right direction, 
but it needs to do more of what is proposed, and quicker.He said the new financial tool will play a key role in making that happen.“This is not the end of the process,” Gupta said. “And we expect a lot to change even in the annual update by next year.”Brian
 Grimmett reports on the environment, energy and natural resources for 
KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on 
Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/briangrimmett?lang=en">@briangrimmett</a> or email him at grimmett@kmuw.org.

Evergy coal shutdowns; environmental groups say it's not fast enough

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. birth rate fell 4% last year, the largest single-year decrease in nearly 50 years, according to a government report being released Wednesday.

The rate dropped for moms of every major race and ethnicity, and in nearly every age group, falling to the lowest point since federal health officials started tracking it more than a century ago.

Births have been declining in younger women for years, as many postponed motherhood and had smaller families.

Birth rates for women in their late 30s and in their 40s have been inching up. But not last year.

“The fact that you saw declines in births even for older moms is quite striking,” said Brady Hamilton, of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the lead author of the new report.

The CDC report is based on a review of more than 99% of birth certificates issued last year. The findings echo a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-science-health-3dc7033a62728f1a99a176c5577af58c">Associated Press analysis</a>&nbsp;of 2020 data from 25 states showing that births had fallen during the coronavirus outbreak.

The pandemic no doubt contributed to last year’s big decline, experts say. Anxiety about COVID-19 and its impact on the economy likely caused many couples to think that having a baby right then was a bad idea.

But many of the 2020 pregnancies began well before the U.S. epidemic. CDC researchers are working on a follow-up report to better parse out how the decline unfolded, Hamilton said.

— About 3.6 million babies were born in the U.S. last year, down from about 3.75 million in 2019. When births were booming in 2007, the U.S. recorded 4.3 million births.

— The U.S. birth rate dropped to about 56 births per 1,000 women of child-bearing age, the lowest rate on record. The rate is half of what it was in the early 1960s.

— The birth rate for 15– to 19-year-olds dropped 8% from 2019. It’s fallen almost every year since 1991.

— Birth rates fell 8% for Asian American women; 3% for Hispanic women; 4% for Black and white women; and 6% for moms who were American Indians or Alaska Natives.

— The cesarean delivery rate rose, slightly, to about 32%. It had generally been declining since 2009.

— Some good news: The percentage of infants born small and premature — at less less than 37 weeks of gestation — fell slightly, to 10%, after rising five years in a row.

The current generation is getting further away from having enough children to replace itself.

The U.S. once was among only a few developed countries with a fertility rate that ensured each generation had enough children to replace it. About a dozen years ago, the estimated rate was 2.1 kids per U.S. woman. But it’s been sliding, and last year dropped to about 1.6, the lowest rate on record.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606170442903.png" alt="Photo by Chris Neal / For the Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Chris Neal / For the Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. birth rate fell 4% last year, the largest single-year decrease in nearly 50 years, according to a government report being released Wednesday.The rate dropped for moms of every major race and ethnicity, and in nearly every age group, falling to the lowest point since federal health officials started tracking it more than a century ago.Births have been declining in younger women for years, as many postponed motherhood and had smaller families.Birth rates for women in their late 30s and in their 40s have been inching up. But not last year.“The fact that you saw declines in births even for older moms is quite striking,” said Brady Hamilton, of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the lead author of the new report.The CDC report is based on a review of more than 99% of birth certificates issued last year. The findings echo a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-science-health-3dc7033a62728f1a99a176c5577af58c">Associated Press analysis</a>&nbsp;of 2020 data from 25 states showing that births had fallen during the coronavirus outbreak.The pandemic no doubt contributed to last year’s big decline, experts say. Anxiety about COVID-19 and its impact on the economy likely caused many couples to think that having a baby right then was a bad idea.But many of the 2020 pregnancies began well before the U.S. epidemic. CDC researchers are working on a follow-up report to better parse out how the decline unfolded, Hamilton said.Other highlights from the CDC report:— About 3.6 million babies were born in the U.S. last year, down from about 3.75 million in 2019. When births were booming in 2007, the U.S. recorded 4.3 million births.— The U.S. birth rate dropped to about 56 births per 1,000 women of child-bearing age, the lowest rate on record. The rate is half of what it was in the early 1960s.— The birth rate for 15– to 19-year-olds dropped 8% from 2019. It’s fallen almost every year since 1991.— Birth rates fell 8% for Asian American women; 3% for Hispanic women; 4% for Black and white women; and 6% for moms who were American Indians or Alaska Natives.— The cesarean delivery rate rose, slightly, to about 32%. It had generally been declining since 2009.— Some good news: The percentage of infants born small and premature — at less less than 37 weeks of gestation — fell slightly, to 10%, after rising five years in a row.The current generation is getting further away from having enough children to replace itself.The U.S. once was among only a few developed countries with a fertility rate that ensured each generation had enough children to replace it. About a dozen years ago, the estimated rate was 2.1 kids per U.S. woman. But it’s been sliding, and last year dropped to about 1.6, the lowest rate on record.___