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

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

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

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

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

Kan. apartment fire: 2 injured, firefighters resuscitate dog 

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

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

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

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

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

Police: Shooting injured 2-year-old Kansas boy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kansas COVID-19 emergency declaration will expire today

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

World’s largest steam locomotive returns to Kansas this summer

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

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

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

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

Kansas woman charged in stabbing death of fiance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kansas governor tries to keep COVID state of emergency alive

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Police: Woman accused of setting another woman on fire

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Novavax: New COVID-19 shot also protects against variants

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly on Monday issued an executive order rescinding seven pandemic emergency Executive Orders&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.LkPdjYryn8rGNkfNYjdBKwTU_NB9ossAw9hySuX8yYI/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-10</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.ZqN10gxDQCIeYdp_K-7DIAliddsPZUVSWqIz7ATOSHg/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-12</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA2MTQuNDE5MTc1MjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2djYzAyLnNhZmVsaW5rcy5wcm90ZWN0aW9uLm91dGxvb2suY29tLz91cmw9aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZnb3Zlcm5vci5rYW5zYXMuZ292JTJGZXhlY3V0aXZlLW9yZGVyLW5vLTIxLTE2JTJGJmRhdGE9MDQlN0MwMSU3Q1JheW5hLkthcnN0JTQwa3MuZ292JTdDNzEyY2ZkYjkyNDI5NDZlNmE4MmEwOGQ5MmY3YTBjOTclN0NkY2FlODEwMWM5MmQ0ODBjYmM0M2M2NzYxY2NjY2M1YSU3QzAlN0MwJTdDNjM3NTkzMDIzNDk4ODk2MzU3JTdDVW5rbm93biU3Q1RXRnBiR1pzYjNkOGV5SldJam9pTUM0d0xqQXdNREFpTENKUUlqb2lWMmx1TXpJaUxDSkJUaUk2SWsxaGFXd2lMQ0pYVkNJNk1uMCUzRCU3QzEwMDAmc2RhdGE9VkZMTmpZSTltdnpnaUJnTTk4eXAlMkYlMkJ5Z1lnR2cxT1U0SVJGZWxEcjdsdEklM0QmcmVzZXJ2ZWQ9MCJ9.g6avLTD9FK6erpgBhrSRYrfHGE7hKlPcnoAU_vNPqNw/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-16</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.xpTbeMgIb1AtMTUeOGkokikMegn112W22CsZUYUZ0B8/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-17</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.5MOtNCa4ECeSSkOzE2vR7yEYFjN0Rsarr7L36z2x5jg/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-18</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.teodSPZKYMkaH4TNu-qfNgU36tfgwNFox9yjr3p1PlI/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-19</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA2MTQuNDE5MTc1MjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2djYzAyLnNhZmVsaW5rcy5wcm90ZWN0aW9uLm91dGxvb2suY29tLz91cmw9aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZnb3Zlcm5vci5rYW5zYXMuZ292JTJGZXhlY3V0aXZlLW9yZGVyLW5vLTIxLTIwJTJGJmRhdGE9MDQlN0MwMSU3Q1JheW5hLkthcnN0JTQwa3MuZ292JTdDNzEyY2ZkYjkyNDI5NDZlNmE4MmEwOGQ5MmY3YTBjOTclN0NkY2FlODEwMWM5MmQ0ODBjYmM0M2M2NzYxY2NjY2M1YSU3QzAlN0MwJTdDNjM3NTkzMDIzNDk4OTE2MjcwJTdDVW5rbm93biU3Q1RXRnBiR1pzYjNkOGV5SldJam9pTUM0d0xqQXdNREFpTENKUUlqb2lWMmx1TXpJaUxDSkJUaUk2SWsxaGFXd2lMQ0pYVkNJNk1uMCUzRCU3QzEwMDAmc2RhdGE9ZVJoeDNKRFowUWxOQ0hsbzlldDNlUEdjR3lweHhzUjMybWxGcVIzdHhKbyUzRCZyZXNlcnZlZD0wIn0.9hH24xq7Pe0I0Njg2x1nKg-kJAFEPxGSdaSJd-4Wo9o/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-20</a>. The recession&nbsp;will be effective June 15th&nbsp;for all except orders 21-16 and 21-20, which will be effective June 30th,&nbsp;and 21-10, which will be effective July 15th, according to a media release from her office.

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

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

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

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

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly on Monday issued an executive order rescinding seven pandemic emergency Executive Orders&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.LkPdjYryn8rGNkfNYjdBKwTU_NB9ossAw9hySuX8yYI/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-10</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.ZqN10gxDQCIeYdp_K-7DIAliddsPZUVSWqIz7ATOSHg/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-12</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.g6avLTD9FK6erpgBhrSRYrfHGE7hKlPcnoAU_vNPqNw/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-16</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.xpTbeMgIb1AtMTUeOGkokikMegn112W22CsZUYUZ0B8/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-17</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.5MOtNCa4ECeSSkOzE2vR7yEYFjN0Rsarr7L36z2x5jg/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-18</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.teodSPZKYMkaH4TNu-qfNgU36tfgwNFox9yjr3p1PlI/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-19</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA2MTQuNDE5MTc1MjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2djYzAyLnNhZmVsaW5rcy5wcm90ZWN0aW9uLm91dGxvb2suY29tLz91cmw9aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZnb3Zlcm5vci5rYW5zYXMuZ292JTJGZXhlY3V0aXZlLW9yZGVyLW5vLTIxLTIwJTJGJmRhdGE9MDQlN0MwMSU3Q1JheW5hLkthcnN0JTQwa3MuZ292JTdDNzEyY2ZkYjkyNDI5NDZlNmE4MmEwOGQ5MmY3YTBjOTclN0NkY2FlODEwMWM5MmQ0ODBjYmM0M2M2NzYxY2NjY2M1YSU3QzAlN0MwJTdDNjM3NTkzMDIzNDk4OTE2MjcwJTdDVW5rbm93biU3Q1RXRnBiR1pzYjNkOGV5SldJam9pTUM0d0xqQXdNREFpTENKUUlqb2lWMmx1TXpJaUxDSkJUaUk2SWsxaGFXd2lMQ0pYVkNJNk1uMCUzRCU3QzEwMDAmc2RhdGE9ZVJoeDNKRFowUWxOQ0hsbzlldDNlUEdjR3lweHhzUjMybWxGcVIzdHhKbyUzRCZyZXNlcnZlZD0wIn0.9hH24xq7Pe0I0Njg2x1nKg-kJAFEPxGSdaSJd-4Wo9o/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-20</a>. The recession&nbsp;will be effective June 15th&nbsp;for all except orders 21-16 and 21-20, which will be effective June 30th,&nbsp;and 21-10, which will be effective July 15th, according to a media release from her office.<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA2MTQuNDE5MTc1MjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2dvdmVybm9yLmthbnNhcy5nb3Yvd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMjEvMDYvRU8tMjEtMjMtUmVzY2luZGluZy1DZXJ0YWluLUNvdmlkLTE5LUVPcy1FeGVjdXRlZC5wZGYifQ.Rk36_1TqyXw218ER8WM2Gh5Q4IKuNC-fJ85ELGHvv5M/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">Click here to view Executive Order #21-23&nbsp;</a>“Ending these pandemic executive orders is one of the final actions we will take to end the state of Kansas’ emergency response,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“Moving forward, we will transition to an emergency response focused on getting our kids vaccinated and providing logistical support to local communities for vaccines and continued COVID-19 testing. Without a disaster declaration in place, we undermine our ability to achieve these priorities and objectives. We owe it to Kansans to finish the job and wind down the state of disaster emergency responsibly.”Governor Kelly will leave Executive Orders&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.Vx-CeaYqe170e_wCSM_n0c3Hv9AkklqbgHGz9IbEIjw/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-15</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.Kor2HLYgY3x5-oqyFtUeZVOoX_Q7Nfassd3aiKCEkOw/s/1303160919/br/107894820688-l" target="_blank">21-21</a>&nbsp;in effect to support the state’s ongoing role in COVID-19 testing and vaccine administration, which will be critical to increase vaccinations for school-aged children. Executive Order 21-15 is the only mechanism in place to require COVID-19 testing in certain adult care homes licensed by the state. Executive Order 21-21 grants temporary authority to certain medical personnel to administer COVID-19 vaccinations. Continued efforts to vaccinate as many Kansans as quickly as possible will be unnecessarily impeded if it expires.All orders are rescinded at 11:59 p.m. on the relevant date:&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/KSOG/2021/06/4631967/eo-recession_original.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Gov. to rescind 7 pandemic emergency executive orders

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

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

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

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

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

KHP IDs Kansas man who died in pickup rollover crash

TOPEKA —The Kansas Highway Patrol announced on social media Monday they have a new police service dog.

The two-year old Belgian Malinois from Holland named Ares is assigned to Technical Trooper Bosley

Ares is certified in explosive detection and patrol to include evidence recovery, tracking, building clearing, area searches and handler protection.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623700901788.png" alt="Ares photo courtesy KHP" />
 <figcaption>Ares photo courtesy KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —The Kansas Highway Patrol announced on social media Monday they have a new police service dog.The two-year old Belgian Malinois from Holland named Ares is assigned to Technical Trooper BosleyAres is certified in explosive detection and patrol to include evidence recovery, tracking, building clearing, area searches and handler protection.

New KHP service dog will assist with explosive detection, more

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police are investigating the shooting death of a woman in a southeastern Kansas City neighborhood.

The shooting happened around 10 a.m. Sunday in a home along East Linwood, just blocks from the Kansas City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, police said in a news release. Police had not released the woman’s name by early Monday morning, and no other details of the shooting were given.

Police also had not announced any arrests in the case by Monday morning.

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

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police are investigating the shooting death of a woman in a southeastern Kansas City neighborhood.The shooting happened around 10 a.m. Sunday in a home along East Linwood, just blocks from the Kansas City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, police said in a news release. Police had not released the woman’s name by early Monday morning, and no other details of the shooting were given.Police also had not announced any arrests in the case by Monday morning.The woman's death marked the 68th homicide this year in Kansas City. The city set a record for homicides in 2020 with 182.

Kansas City police investigate 68th homicide of 2021

By BRIAN GRIMMETT <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/kansas-farmers-find-only-thing-harder-growing-hemp-selling-it">Kansas News Service</a>

PRATT, Kansas — This summer marks the third year that Kansans have grown hemp for industrial uses.

Yet
 growing the less sexy cousin of the plant associated with getting high 
and some medicinal uses has proven riskier and more difficult than many 
farmers initially expected.

Consequently, the number of licenses issued this year is less than half of what the state saw in 2020.

“There
 were some misconceptions about the ease of marketability of it,” said 
Braden Hoch, the state’s industrial hemp program supervisor.

The risk of any agricultural operation is compounded by an ever-changing set of <a href="https://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/plant-protect-weed-control/industrial-hemp" target="_blank">state and federal rules</a>. And now some hemp farmers and processors want more help from the government to reduce risk and encourage innovation.

<a href="https://www.shiningstarhemp.com/" target="_blank">Shining Star Hemp Co.</a> is one of only 11 licensed hemp processors in the state.

Outside
 of the industrial building near the Pratt municipal airport in 
south-central Kansas where Shining Star operates sits rows of 1,200 
pound bags full of industrial hemp stalks, grains and flowers.

Inside,
 workers break open the bags and dump them onto a large conveyor belt 
leading to a cacophony of machinery shaking, blowing and sifting the 
biomass into its usable parts.

The operation is one of the few successful outfits in the state.

“It’s
 been a lot of work, a lot of phone calls developing relationships and 
finding synergies,” Jennifer Holmes, who works with Shining Star <a href="https://plainjanehempco.com/" target="_blank">to develop and market products</a> said. “But honestly, I can say at this point, we’re doing awesome for where we’re at.”

Paul McGeary masterminded Shining Star’s system for converting the hemp harvest into something industry can use.

“It’s about, probably, 30 years of beating your head against the wall, mostly,” he said.

McGeary
 is a contractor for Shining Star. He’s worked in the agricultural 
processing world for most of his life and has applied what he learned 
over decades of sifting wheat and corn to develop this machine to sift 
hemp.

He said the complexity of the process is part of what’s 
holding the industry back. It just doesn’t have the scale to supply 
manufacturers who would put the fiber to use.

“We were walking 
into those meetings thinking that to have 30-to- 40,000 pounds on hand 
is something. But when you walk into industry and they want five train 
cars a day or a trainload a week, we just aren’t prepared for that,” he 
said. “And getting them to wait until we’re prepared, that’s the 
bottleneck of the whole thing.”

Hemp has been hyped as something 
with a wide range of industrial uses. The stalk can be made into paper 
or biodegradable plastics. The seeds can be made into food. And the 
flowers can be pressed to extract oils.

But so far, the only 
market the industry is pushing seems to be for its cannabinoid-rich, or 
CBD, oil. And there’s a flood of CBD already on the market.

“We 
don’t have the best of luck selling full-spectrum oil,” Holmes said. 
“It’s just something that we all need to work through and do the right 
thing and move into the grain and fiber industry.”

But that will take millions of dollars in investments in new equipment.

Until
 that equipment can be designed, built or purchased, companies 
interested in making products from hemp fibers are out of luck. A 
company in Newton, Kansas, wants to <a href="https://humanplantsolutions.com/" target="_blank">make prosthetic limbs from hemp</a>. It imports its processed hemp from overseas.

Holmes
 wants more government help to offset some of the risk for investing in 
converting the plant into something useful for industry.

“A lot 
of people are scared to start because they don’t know if they’re going 
to fail, so they don’t ever get started,” she said.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture says its hemp growing licenses dropped&nbsp; from 218 in 2020, to only 81 this year.

And last year, of the almost 4,000 acres planted, only 761 were harvested for production.

An eighth of that had to be burned by the state because it contained too much of the psychoactive chemical THC.

“The
 past two years have really helped individuals get up to speed,” Hoch 
said. “But producers are really still determining the best way to grow 
hemp as a crop and if it’s feasible to include in their rotation.”

He
 said growers and processors need to expand beyond CBD products, but 
with federal and state rules surrounding the crop in constant flux, 
finding the right investors that can spur that kind of innovation and 
development will remain challenging.

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/2021/6/1623692445108.png" alt=" Workers at Shining Star Hemp Co. load a bag of hemp biomass into the processor. Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Workers at Shining Star Hemp Co. load a bag of hemp biomass into the processor. Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRIAN GRIMMETT <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/kansas-farmers-find-only-thing-harder-growing-hemp-selling-it">Kansas News Service</a>PRATT, Kansas — This summer marks the third year that Kansans have grown hemp for industrial uses.Yet
 growing the less sexy cousin of the plant associated with getting high 
and some medicinal uses has proven riskier and more difficult than many 
farmers initially expected.Consequently, the number of licenses issued this year is less than half of what the state saw in 2020.“There
 were some misconceptions about the ease of marketability of it,” said 
Braden Hoch, the state’s industrial hemp program supervisor.The risk of any agricultural operation is compounded by an ever-changing set of <a href="https://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/plant-protect-weed-control/industrial-hemp" target="_blank">state and federal rules</a>. And now some hemp farmers and processors want more help from the government to reduce risk and encourage innovation.<a href="https://www.shiningstarhemp.com/" target="_blank">Shining Star Hemp Co.</a> is one of only 11 licensed hemp processors in the state.Outside
 of the industrial building near the Pratt municipal airport in 
south-central Kansas where Shining Star operates sits rows of 1,200 
pound bags full of industrial hemp stalks, grains and flowers.Inside,
 workers break open the bags and dump them onto a large conveyor belt 
leading to a cacophony of machinery shaking, blowing and sifting the 
biomass into its usable parts.The operation is one of the few successful outfits in the state.“It’s
 been a lot of work, a lot of phone calls developing relationships and 
finding synergies,” Jennifer Holmes, who works with Shining Star <a href="https://plainjanehempco.com/" target="_blank">to develop and market products</a> said. “But honestly, I can say at this point, we’re doing awesome for where we’re at.”Paul McGeary masterminded Shining Star’s system for converting the hemp harvest into something industry can use.“It’s about, probably, 30 years of beating your head against the wall, mostly,” he said.McGeary
 is a contractor for Shining Star. He’s worked in the agricultural 
processing world for most of his life and has applied what he learned 
over decades of sifting wheat and corn to develop this machine to sift 
hemp.He said the complexity of the process is part of what’s 
holding the industry back. It just doesn’t have the scale to supply 
manufacturers who would put the fiber to use.“We were walking 
into those meetings thinking that to have 30-to- 40,000 pounds on hand 
is something. But when you walk into industry and they want five train 
cars a day or a trainload a week, we just aren’t prepared for that,” he 
said. “And getting them to wait until we’re prepared, that’s the 
bottleneck of the whole thing.”Hemp has been hyped as something 
with a wide range of industrial uses. The stalk can be made into paper 
or biodegradable plastics. The seeds can be made into food. And the 
flowers can be pressed to extract oils.But so far, the only 
market the industry is pushing seems to be for its cannabinoid-rich, or 
CBD, oil. And there’s a flood of CBD already on the market.“We 
don’t have the best of luck selling full-spectrum oil,” Holmes said. 
“It’s just something that we all need to work through and do the right 
thing and move into the grain and fiber industry.”But that will take millions of dollars in investments in new equipment.Until
 that equipment can be designed, built or purchased, companies 
interested in making products from hemp fibers are out of luck. A 
company in Newton, Kansas, wants to <a href="https://humanplantsolutions.com/" target="_blank">make prosthetic limbs from hemp</a>. It imports its processed hemp from overseas.Holmes
 wants more government help to offset some of the risk for investing in 
converting the plant into something useful for industry.“A lot 
of people are scared to start because they don’t know if they’re going 
to fail, so they don’t ever get started,” she said.The Kansas Department of Agriculture says its hemp growing licenses dropped&nbsp; from 218 in 2020, to only 81 this year.And last year, of the almost 4,000 acres planted, only 761 were harvested for production.An eighth of that had to be burned by the state because it contained too much of the psychoactive chemical THC.“The
 past two years have really helped individuals get up to speed,” Hoch 
said. “But producers are really still determining the best way to grow 
hemp as a crop and if it’s feasible to include in their rotation.”He
 said growers and processors need to expand beyond CBD products, but 
with federal and state rules surrounding the crop in constant flux, 
finding the right investors that can spur that kind of innovation and 
development will remain challenging.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.

Kan. farmers: The only thing harder than growing hemp? Selling it 

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 245 to a total of 316,014, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

The state reported 19 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5125.

<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 245 to a total of 316,014, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;The state reported 19 new COVID-19 deaths for a total of 5125.<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/2021/6/1623690808235.png" alt="Monday June 14, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday June 14, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

GYPSUM - An 84-year-old newspaper delivery person was injured early Saturday morning when he was dragged while trying to prevent his vehicle from being stolen in Gypsum.

Robert Rogers had gotten out of his 2000 Subaru Legacy to deliver a newspaper in the 400 block of Maple Street (Kansas Highway 4) at 4:10 a.m. Saturday when a gray 2004 Honda Civic pulled up behind the Legacy, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

The driver of the Civic got out and jumped behind the wheel of the Legacy. Rogers attempted to stop the man, who drove off, dragging Rogers for about 20 yards, Soldan said. Rogers suffered road rash, he added.

A Galaxy S20 cellphone belonging to Rogers and valued at $1,000 was still in the vehicle.

Soldan identified the person who drove off in the Legacy as Hassan Williford, 38, of Salina.

Officers arrested Williford later on Saturday for allegedly trying to break into a residence in Morris County, according to Soldan. Although the Legacy has yet to be found, the key to it was in Williford's pocket.

The Legacy is described as being blue and having a brush guard on the front and an orange strap holding the hood closed, Soldan said. It was valued at $1,500.

The Civic that was left in Gypsum was reported stolen that same night from an acquaintance of Williford's in Mitchell County.

Williford was booked into the Saline County jail on a requested charge of aggravated robbery, according to Soldan. Additional charges may be requested, he added.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623591665932.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostGYPSUM - An 84-year-old newspaper delivery person was injured early Saturday morning when he was dragged while trying to prevent his vehicle from being stolen in Gypsum.Robert Rogers had gotten out of his 2000 Subaru Legacy to deliver a newspaper in the 400 block of Maple Street (Kansas Highway 4) at 4:10 a.m. Saturday when a gray 2004 Honda Civic pulled up behind the Legacy, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.The driver of the Civic got out and jumped behind the wheel of the Legacy. Rogers attempted to stop the man, who drove off, dragging Rogers for about 20 yards, Soldan said. Rogers suffered road rash, he added.A Galaxy S20 cellphone belonging to Rogers and valued at $1,000 was still in the vehicle.Soldan identified the person who drove off in the Legacy as Hassan Williford, 38, of Salina.Officers arrested Williford later on Saturday for allegedly trying to break into a residence in Morris County, according to Soldan. Although the Legacy has yet to be found, the key to it was in Williford's pocket.The Legacy is described as being blue and having a brush guard on the front and an orange strap holding the hood closed, Soldan said. It was valued at $1,500.The Civic that was left in Gypsum was reported stolen that same night from an acquaintance of Williford's in Mitchell County.Williford was booked into the Saline County jail on a requested charge of aggravated robbery, according to Soldan. Additional charges may be requested, he added.

84-year-old Kansas man injured in carjacking

HUDSON, S.D. (AP) — A 10-year-old boy who died in the Big Sioux River saved one of his younger siblings who had fallen into the water, family members said.

The body of Ricky Lee Sneve was recovered Saturday night, Lincoln County sheriff’s officials said. His mother, Nicole Eufers, told the Argus Leader that Ricky was out on the river with his dad and siblings when several fell into the water near Hudson, in southeastern&nbsp;South Dakota.

Eufers said Ricky jumped in to save his sister Chevelle and got her to shore, but when his father and siblings turned around, Ricky was missing.

The boy’s father, Chad Sneve, said his son was the type of boy to do anything for anyone. Ricky was smart, dedicated and conservative, Sneve said.

“He was generous, kind and special in more ways than I can begin to explain,” Chad Sneve said. “He was my everything, and he touched everyone he encountered.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623685046364.png" alt="Ricky Lee Sneve- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Ricky Lee Sneve- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>HUDSON, S.D. (AP) — A 10-year-old boy who died in the Big Sioux River saved one of his younger siblings who had fallen into the water, family members said.The body of Ricky Lee Sneve was recovered Saturday night, Lincoln County sheriff’s officials said. His mother, Nicole Eufers, told the Argus Leader that Ricky was out on the river with his dad and siblings when several fell into the water near Hudson, in southeastern&nbsp;South Dakota.Eufers said Ricky jumped in to save his sister Chevelle and got her to shore, but when his father and siblings turned around, Ricky was missing.The boy’s father, Chad Sneve, said his son was the type of boy to do anything for anyone. Ricky was smart, dedicated and conservative, Sneve said.“He was generous, kind and special in more ways than I can begin to explain,” Chad Sneve said. “He was my everything, and he touched everyone he encountered.”

Sheriff: 10-year-old boy dies in river after saving sister

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hit-and-run accident have identified the victim as 43-year-old Matthew Golden of Wichita.

At midnight on Saturday night, police were in the area of 3400 South Hydraulic when they observed two motorcycles with two riders who were involved in a crash, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

The officers stopped to assist the riders and requested assistance from EMS. Police identified Golden&nbsp; as one of the riders and he was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to Macy.

EMS transported the other rider, a 36-year-old man,&nbsp; to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Through the investigation, officers learned that the motorcycles were northbound on Hydraulic when they attempted to go around another northbound vehicle.&nbsp;

One of the motorcycles made contact with the car, which caused both motorcycles to crash. The other vehicle left the scene. Police released no additional details.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hit-and-run accident have identified the victim as 43-year-old Matthew Golden of Wichita.At midnight on Saturday night, police were in the area of 3400 South Hydraulic when they observed two motorcycles with two riders who were involved in a crash, according to Officer Trevor Macy.The officers stopped to assist the riders and requested assistance from EMS. Police identified Golden&nbsp; as one of the riders and he was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to Macy.EMS transported the other rider, a 36-year-old man,&nbsp; to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.Through the investigation, officers learned that the motorcycles were northbound on Hydraulic when they attempted to go around another northbound vehicle.&nbsp;One of the motorcycles made contact with the car, which caused both motorcycles to crash. The other vehicle left the scene. Police released no additional details.

Police ID Kan. man who died in hit-and-run motorcycle crash

HOUSTON (AP) — A federal judge threw out a lawsuit filed by employees of a Houston hospital system over its requirement that all of its staff be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Houston Methodist Hospital system suspended 178 employees without pay last week over their refusal to get vaccinated. Of them, 117 sued seeking to overturn the requirement and over their suspension and threatened termination.

In a scathing ruling, U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes of Houston deemed lead plaintiff Jennifer Bridges’ contention that the vaccines are “experimental and dangerous” to be false and otherwise irrelevant. He also found that her likening the vaccination requirement to the Nazis’ forced medical experimentation on concentration camp captives during the Holocaust to be “reprehensible.”

Hughes also ruled that making vaccinations a condition of employment was not coercion, as Bridges contended.

“Bridges can freely choose to accept or refuse a COVID-19 vaccine; however, if she refuses, she will simply need to work somewhere else. If a worker refuses an assignment, changed office, earlier start time, or other directive, he may be properly fired. Every employment includes limits on the worker’s behavior in exchange for remuneration. That is all part of the bargain,” Hughes concluded.

Jared Woodfill, a Houston lawyer representing Bridges and the other clients, promised an appeal.

“All of my clients continue to be committed to fighting this unjust policy,” Woodfill said in a statement. “What is shocking is that many of my clients were on the front line treating COVID-positive patients at Texas Methodist Hospital during the height of the pandemic. As a result, many of them contracted COVID-19. As a thank you for their service and sacrifice, Methodist Hospital awards them a pink slip and sentences them to bankruptcy.”

Employees had a June 7 deadline to complete their immunization.

In a Tuesday memo, the hospital system’s CEO, Marc Boom, said that 24,947 employees had complied with the vaccination requirement and that 27 of the 178 others had received the first of a two-dose vaccine and wouldn’t be fired if they got their second. The rest are subject to termination.

He also wrote that 285 other employees received medical or religious exemptions, and 332 were deferred because they were pregnant or for some other reason.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623673580456.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HOUSTON (AP) — A federal judge threw out a lawsuit filed by employees of a Houston hospital system over its requirement that all of its staff be vaccinated against COVID-19.The Houston Methodist Hospital system suspended 178 employees without pay last week over their refusal to get vaccinated. Of them, 117 sued seeking to overturn the requirement and over their suspension and threatened termination.In a scathing ruling, U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes of Houston deemed lead plaintiff Jennifer Bridges’ contention that the vaccines are “experimental and dangerous” to be false and otherwise irrelevant. He also found that her likening the vaccination requirement to the Nazis’ forced medical experimentation on concentration camp captives during the Holocaust to be “reprehensible.”Hughes also ruled that making vaccinations a condition of employment was not coercion, as Bridges contended.“Bridges can freely choose to accept or refuse a COVID-19 vaccine; however, if she refuses, she will simply need to work somewhere else. If a worker refuses an assignment, changed office, earlier start time, or other directive, he may be properly fired. Every employment includes limits on the worker’s behavior in exchange for remuneration. That is all part of the bargain,” Hughes concluded.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623674276825.png" alt="Employee protest outside the hospital last week photo courtesy KTRK-TV" />
 <figcaption>Employee protest outside the hospital last week photo courtesy KTRK-TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Jared Woodfill, a Houston lawyer representing Bridges and the other clients, promised an appeal.“All of my clients continue to be committed to fighting this unjust policy,” Woodfill said in a statement. “What is shocking is that many of my clients were on the front line treating COVID-positive patients at Texas Methodist Hospital during the height of the pandemic. As a result, many of them contracted COVID-19. As a thank you for their service and sacrifice, Methodist Hospital awards them a pink slip and sentences them to bankruptcy.”Employees had a June 7 deadline to complete their immunization.In a Tuesday memo, the hospital system’s CEO, Marc Boom, said that 24,947 employees had complied with the vaccination requirement and that 27 of the 178 others had received the first of a two-dose vaccine and wouldn’t be fired if they got their second. The rest are subject to termination.He also wrote that 285 other employees received medical or religious exemptions, and 332 were deferred because they were pregnant or for some other reason.

Federal judge tosses lawsuit by employees who refused vaccine

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Texas man wanted for robbery in Nebraska following a two state pursuit Saturday night. 

Just before 11p.m., a police officer stopped a 2015 Dodge Durango for a traffic infraction in the 400 Block of Arizona Street in Holton, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.&nbsp;

 The suspect vehicle stopped in the Casey’s General Store parking lot. It was discovered that the driver identified as 23-year-old Davionne Marquise Stark-Briggs of Houston, Texas was wanted out of Nebraska on a felony robbery warrant. 

The suspect was to be considered armed and dangerous. The police officer attempted to arrest Stark-Briggs when he allegedly fled in his vehicle striking the Holton Police vehicle. 

Jackson County Deputies entered into the pursuit with Holton Police north of Holton on U.S. Highway 75. 

The pursuit continued into Brown County and into Nebraska. Several law enforcement agencies attempted to use tire deflation devices to stop the pursuit, however, the pursuit continued through Dawson, Nebraska and then east to Fall City. 

Just north of Fall City, the suspect vehicle left the highway and traveled into the ditch. Starks-Briggs fled on foot from the vehicle heading east into a field.

 Jackson County deputies pursued him on foot capturing him and taking him into custody about 200 yards from where the vehicle pursuit ended. Deputies from Brown County and Richardson County, Nebraska assisted with the incident. Starks-Briggs is currently being held in the Richardson County Jail on requested charges of Operating a Motor Vehicle to Avoid Arrest, Willful Reckless Driving, Driving Under Suspension, Resisting Arrest, Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Prohibited Person. He is also being held on Lancaster County and Douglas County Nebraska warrants. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623586828570.png" alt="Starks-Briggs photo Richardson County" />
 <figcaption>Starks-Briggs photo Richardson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Texas man wanted for robbery in Nebraska following a two state pursuit Saturday night. Just before 11p.m., a police officer stopped a 2015 Dodge Durango for a traffic infraction in the 400 Block of Arizona Street in Holton, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.&nbsp; The suspect vehicle stopped in the Casey’s General Store parking lot. It was discovered that the driver identified as 23-year-old Davionne Marquise Stark-Briggs of Houston, Texas was wanted out of Nebraska on a felony robbery warrant. The suspect was to be considered armed and dangerous. The police officer attempted to arrest Stark-Briggs when he allegedly fled in his vehicle striking the Holton Police vehicle. Jackson County Deputies entered into the pursuit with Holton Police north of Holton on U.S. Highway 75. The pursuit continued into Brown County and into Nebraska. Several law enforcement agencies attempted to use tire deflation devices to stop the pursuit, however, the pursuit continued through Dawson, Nebraska and then east to Fall City. Just north of Fall City, the suspect vehicle left the highway and traveled into the ditch. Starks-Briggs fled on foot from the vehicle heading east into a field. Jackson County deputies pursued him on foot capturing him and taking him into custody about 200 yards from where the vehicle pursuit ended. Deputies from Brown County and Richardson County, Nebraska assisted with the incident. Starks-Briggs is currently being held in the Richardson County Jail on requested charges of Operating a Motor Vehicle to Avoid Arrest, Willful Reckless Driving, Driving Under Suspension, Resisting Arrest, Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Prohibited Person. He is also being held on Lancaster County and Douglas County Nebraska warrants.

Wanted robbery suspect captured after 2-state police chase

WASHINGTON — FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts this summer. 

The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests will begin at 2:20 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 11.

The Wireless Emergency Alert portion of the test will be directed only to consumer cell phones where the subscriber has opted-in to receive test messages. This will be the second nationwide WEA test, but the first nationwide WEA test on a consumer opt-in basis. The test message will display in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584977952684.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FCCWASHINGTON — FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts this summer. The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests will begin at 2:20 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 11.The Wireless Emergency Alert portion of the test will be directed only to consumer cell phones where the subscriber has opted-in to receive test messages. This will be the second nationwide WEA test, but the first nationwide WEA test on a consumer opt-in basis. The test message will display in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.The Emergency Alert System portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This will be the sixth nationwide EAS test.FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with EAS participants, wireless providers, emergency managers, and other stakeholders in preparation for this national test to minimize confusion and to maximize the public safety value of the test. The test is intended to ensure public safety officials have the methods and systems that will deliver urgent alerts and warnings to the public in times of an emergency or disaster. Major information about the test includes:· The purpose of the Aug. 11 test is to ensure that the EAS and WEA systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level. Periodic testing of public alert and warning systems helps to assess the operational readiness of alerting infrastructure and to identify any needed technological and administrative improvements.· The WEA portion of the test will be initiated using FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), a centralized internet-based system administered by FEMA that enables authorities to send authenticated emergency messages to the public through multiple communications networks. The WEA test will be administered via a code that alerts only phones that have opted in to receive WEA test messages. The EAS portion of the test will be initiated using FEMA-designated Primary Entry Point stations.· In case the Aug. 11 test is canceled due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, a back-up testing date is scheduled for Aug. 25. Anyone who has opted in to receive test messages on their wireless phone will receive the message only once. The following can be expected from the nationwide test:· Beginning at 2:20 p.m. ET, cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, WEA-compatible wireless phones where the subscriber has opted-in to receive test messages, that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA, should be capable of receiving the test message. Wireless phones should receive the message only once.· For consumers who have opted in to receive WEA test messages, the message that appears on their phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” · Opt-in phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acción.”· Launched in 2012, WEA is a tool for authorized government agencies to reach the American public during times of national emergency. It is used locally to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children, and other critical situations through alerts on cell phones.· Alerts are created and sent by authorized federal, state, local, tribal and territorial government agencies through IPAWS to participating wireless providers, which deliver the alerts to compatible handsets in geo-targeted areas.· To help ensure that these alerts are accessible to the entire public, including people with disabilities, the alerts are accompanied by a unique tone and vibration. The test handling code will allow FEMA to test this capability while limiting test messages to those phones that have opted in to receive test messages. · The EAS portion of the test is scheduled to last approximately one minute and will be conducted with the participation of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers (EAS participants).Other important information about the EAS test:· The test message will be similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. It will state: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Emergency Alert System. This system was developed by broadcast and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and local authorities to keep you informed in the event of an emergency. If this had been an actual emergency an official message would have followed the tone alert you heard at the start of this message. No action is required.”· Emergency alerts are created and sent by authorized federal, state, local, tribal and territorial government agencies. EAS participants receive the alerts through IPAWS or through local “over-the-air” monitoring sources. EAS participants then disseminate the emergency alerts to affected communities###Background: In 2007, FEMA began modernizing the nation’s public alert and warning system by integrating new technologies into the existing alert systems.&nbsp;The new system, known as the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) became operational in 2011. Today, IPAWS supports nearly 1,600 state, local, tribal, territorial and federal users through a standardized message format. IPAWS enables public safety alerting authorities such as emergency managers, police, and fire departments to send the same alert and warning message over multiple communication pathways at the same time to citizens in harm’s way, helping to save lives. For more information on FEMA’s IPAWS, go to www.fema.gov/ipaws. For more preparedness information, go to www.ready.gov.