Five states have passed laws or implemented executive orders this year limiting the ability of transgender youths to play sports or receive certain medical treatment. There’s been a vehement outcry from supporters of transgender rights – but little in the way of tangible repercussions for those states.

It’s a striking contrast to the fate of North Carolina a few years ago. When its Legislature passed a bill in March 2016 limiting which public restrooms transgender people could use, there was a swift and powerful backlash. The NBA and NCAA relocated events; some companies scrapped expansion plans. By March 2017, the bill’s bathroom provisions were repealed.

Last week Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has vetoed a measure that would have banned transgender athletes from girls' and women's school sports. The Democratic governor's action thwarted an effort by conservative Republican lawmakers to make Kansas the latest state with a GOP-controlled legislature to enact such a ban. “We know that a bill like the trans athlete bill is a job killer,” Kelly said.

So far this year, there’s been nothing comparable to what happened in North Carolina. Not even lawsuits, although activists predict some of the measures eventually will be challenged in court.

Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, deputy executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, says he’s surprised by the lack of backlash, but believes it will materialize as more people learn details about the legislation being approved.

“A lot of Americans are still getting to know trans people and they’re learning about these issues for the first time,” he said. “Over time, they get to know their trans neighbors, they get outraged by these bans, and corporations respond ... It’s just a matter of time.”

The president of a major national LGBTQ-rights organizations, Alphonso David of the Human Rights Campaign, attributed the lack of backlash to lack of awareness about the potential harm that these laws could cause to transgender young people.

“Some people in this country have not come to terms with treating trans people like human beings,” David said. “It’s now coming to a head.”

One batch of bills seeks to ban transgender girls from competing on girls’ sports teams in public schools. Such measures have been enacted in Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi, and implemented by an executive order from Gov. Kristi Noem in South Dakota.

Another batch of bills seeks to ban gender-affirming medical treatments for trans minors – including the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy. Arkansas legislators approved such a measure over the veto of Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and similar measures are pending in Alabama, Tennessee and Texas.

Echoing concerns of major medical associations, Dr. Michele Hutchison – who runs a transgender medicine clinic at Arkansas Children’s hospital -- says the ban in her state is raising the risk of suicide among some of her patients and forcing some families to wonder if they should move to another state.

More than 400 companies __ including Tesla, Pfizer, Delta Air Lines and Amazon __ have signed on to support civil rights legislation for LGBTQ people that is moving through Congress,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-laws-business-government-and-politics-legislation-4e2f14f051b59144331073a2dea385ed">advocates said Tuesday.</a>

And last week, the Human Rights Campaign took out a full-page ad in the New York Times appealing to corporations to denounce the anti-trans bills that have proliferated in Republican-controlled legislatures.

The letter, signed by David, urged corporate leaders “to take action now by publicly denouncing state legislation that discriminates against people, refusing to advance new business in states that are hostile to corporate values and refusing to support sporting events where transgender athletes are banned.”

More than 85 companies have signed a statement drafted by the HRC -- including Amazon, American Airlines, Apple, AT&amp;T, Facebook, IBM, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Pfizer and Union Pacific. In polite language, the statement implies a threat: “As we make complex decisions about where to invest and grow, these issues can influence our decisions.”

Overall, the corporate response remains “insufficient,” David said. “But I think we are seeing a turning of the tide as we put more pressure on companies.”

One of the companies signing the HRC statement is the technology giant Oracle Corp., which is planning to bring 8,500 jobs and a $1.2 billion investment to Nashville, Tennessee, over the coming decade. Joe Woolley, who heads the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce, has expressed hope that Oracle — which has not threatened to cancel its plans — might use its leverage to prompt reconsideration of Tennessee’s anti-transgender legislation.

Woolley also says organizers of at least three conventions are considering pulling those events out of Nashville because of the bills, though he has declined to identify them.

Thus far, Tennessee Gov, Bill Lee has signaled that any criticism from the business community won’t sway him.

“Organizations have opportunities to weigh in on the legislative process but ultimately, Tennesseans, through their elected representatives, determine the law in our state,” said Casey Black, a spokesperson for Lee.

In Texas, a coalition called Texas Competes released a letter April 19 signed by more than 40 businesses and chambers of commerce in the state denouncing a batch of pending bills as “divisive, unnecessary and economically dangerous.”

Specifically, the letter denounced “efforts to exclude transgender youth from full participation in their communities.”

In Montana, where a transgender sports ban has won initial approval in the Republican-controlled House and Senate, lawmakers added an amendment stipulating that the measure would be nullified if the federal government withheld education funding from the state because of the policy.

The concern stems from an executive order signed by President Joe Biden banning discrimination based on gender. Montana universities receive around $350 million annually in federal funding, of which $250 million goes towards student loans and grants to cover tuition costs — money that university officials say could be at risk if the administration deemed the sports ban to be unacceptable discrimination.

The extent of any emerging backlash to the anti-trans laws will hinge in part on the NCAA, which played a pivotal role in the North Carolina case.

The NCAA’s Board of Governors issued a statement April 12 expressing strong support for the inclusion of transgender athletes.

“When determining where championships are held, NCAA policy directs that only locations where hosts can commit to providing an environment that is safe, healthy and free of discrimination should be selected,” the statement said. “We will continue to closely monitor these situations to determine whether NCAA championships can be conducted in ways that are welcoming and respectful of all participants.”

Alphonso David said the Human Rights Campaign welcomed the statement, but wanted an even tougher stance from the NCAA, with explicit warnings that events would not be held in states with anti-trans laws.

“The time for concrete actions is now,” David said Monday in a letter to NCCA leaders. “This is a national crisis, and one that necessitates united action, including from the NCAA.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619534744085.png" alt="Kansas Congresswoman Sharice Davids waved the flag that represents the transgender community last month on the steps of the U.S. Capitol&nbsp; "Happy&nbsp;#TransDayOfVisibility!&nbsp; We celebrate the courage and contributions of our trans and non-binary community, while also acknowledging the work that needs to be done to ensure true equality for all," she wrote on social media." />
 <figcaption>Kansas Congresswoman Sharice Davids waved the flag that represents the transgender community last month on the steps of the U.S. Capitol&nbsp; "Happy&nbsp;#TransDayOfVisibility!&nbsp; We celebrate the courage and contributions of our trans and non-binary community, while also acknowledging the work that needs to be done to ensure true equality for all," she wrote on social media.</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVID CRARY, Associated PressFive states have passed laws or implemented executive orders this year limiting the ability of transgender youths to play sports or receive certain medical treatment. There’s been a vehement outcry from supporters of transgender rights – but little in the way of tangible repercussions for those states.It’s a striking contrast to the fate of North Carolina a few years ago. When its Legislature passed a bill in March 2016 limiting which public restrooms transgender people could use, there was a swift and powerful backlash. The NBA and NCAA relocated events; some companies scrapped expansion plans. By March 2017, the bill’s bathroom provisions were repealed.Last week Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has vetoed a measure that would have banned transgender athletes from girls' and women's school sports. The Democratic governor's action thwarted an effort by conservative Republican lawmakers to make Kansas the latest state with a GOP-controlled legislature to enact such a ban. “We know that a bill like the trans athlete bill is a job killer,” Kelly said.So far this year, there’s been nothing comparable to what happened in North Carolina. Not even lawsuits, although activists predict some of the measures eventually will be challenged in court.Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, deputy executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, says he’s surprised by the lack of backlash, but believes it will materialize as more people learn details about the legislation being approved.“A lot of Americans are still getting to know trans people and they’re learning about these issues for the first time,” he said. “Over time, they get to know their trans neighbors, they get outraged by these bans, and corporations respond ... It’s just a matter of time.”The president of a major national LGBTQ-rights organizations, Alphonso David of the Human Rights Campaign, attributed the lack of backlash to lack of awareness about the potential harm that these laws could cause to transgender young people.“Some people in this country have not come to terms with treating trans people like human beings,” David said. “It’s now coming to a head.”One batch of bills seeks to ban transgender girls from competing on girls’ sports teams in public schools. Such measures have been enacted in Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi, and implemented by an executive order from Gov. Kristi Noem in South Dakota.Another batch of bills seeks to ban gender-affirming medical treatments for trans minors – including the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy. Arkansas legislators approved such a measure over the veto of Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and similar measures are pending in Alabama, Tennessee and Texas.Echoing concerns of major medical associations, Dr. Michele Hutchison – who runs a transgender medicine clinic at Arkansas Children’s hospital -- says the ban in her state is raising the risk of suicide among some of her patients and forcing some families to wonder if they should move to another state.More than 400 companies __ including Tesla, Pfizer, Delta Air Lines and Amazon __ have signed on to support civil rights legislation for LGBTQ people that is moving through Congress,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-laws-business-government-and-politics-legislation-4e2f14f051b59144331073a2dea385ed">advocates said Tuesday.</a>And last week, the Human Rights Campaign took out a full-page ad in the New York Times appealing to corporations to denounce the anti-trans bills that have proliferated in Republican-controlled legislatures.The letter, signed by David, urged corporate leaders “to take action now by publicly denouncing state legislation that discriminates against people, refusing to advance new business in states that are hostile to corporate values and refusing to support sporting events where transgender athletes are banned.”More than 85 companies have signed a statement drafted by the HRC -- including Amazon, American Airlines, Apple, AT&amp;T, Facebook, IBM, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Pfizer and Union Pacific. In polite language, the statement implies a threat: “As we make complex decisions about where to invest and grow, these issues can influence our decisions.”Overall, the corporate response remains “insufficient,” David said. “But I think we are seeing a turning of the tide as we put more pressure on companies.”One of the companies signing the HRC statement is the technology giant Oracle Corp., which is planning to bring 8,500 jobs and a $1.2 billion investment to Nashville, Tennessee, over the coming decade. Joe Woolley, who heads the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce, has expressed hope that Oracle — which has not threatened to cancel its plans — might use its leverage to prompt reconsideration of Tennessee’s anti-transgender legislation.Woolley also says organizers of at least three conventions are considering pulling those events out of Nashville because of the bills, though he has declined to identify them.Thus far, Tennessee Gov, Bill Lee has signaled that any criticism from the business community won’t sway him.“Organizations have opportunities to weigh in on the legislative process but ultimately, Tennesseans, through their elected representatives, determine the law in our state,” said Casey Black, a spokesperson for Lee.In Texas, a coalition called Texas Competes released a letter April 19 signed by more than 40 businesses and chambers of commerce in the state denouncing a batch of pending bills as “divisive, unnecessary and economically dangerous.”Specifically, the letter denounced “efforts to exclude transgender youth from full participation in their communities.”In Montana, where a transgender sports ban has won initial approval in the Republican-controlled House and Senate, lawmakers added an amendment stipulating that the measure would be nullified if the federal government withheld education funding from the state because of the policy.The concern stems from an executive order signed by President Joe Biden banning discrimination based on gender. Montana universities receive around $350 million annually in federal funding, of which $250 million goes towards student loans and grants to cover tuition costs — money that university officials say could be at risk if the administration deemed the sports ban to be unacceptable discrimination.The extent of any emerging backlash to the anti-trans laws will hinge in part on the NCAA, which played a pivotal role in the North Carolina case.The NCAA’s Board of Governors issued a statement April 12 expressing strong support for the inclusion of transgender athletes.“When determining where championships are held, NCAA policy directs that only locations where hosts can commit to providing an environment that is safe, healthy and free of discrimination should be selected,” the statement said. “We will continue to closely monitor these situations to determine whether NCAA championships can be conducted in ways that are welcoming and respectful of all participants.”Alphonso David said the Human Rights Campaign welcomed the statement, but wanted an even tougher stance from the NCAA, with explicit warnings that events would not be held in states with anti-trans laws.“The time for concrete actions is now,” David said Monday in a letter to NCCA leaders. “This is a national crisis, and one that necessitates united action, including from the NCAA.”___

No big backlash for states passing anti-transgender laws

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) —&nbsp;Kansas' highest court on Friday upheld a law barring so-called wrongful birth lawsuits against doctors, in a case in which a couple sued because they weren't told of serious fetal defects until after an abortion could have been obtained.

The state Supreme Court ruled against the parents of a girl born with a severe brain abnormality who said they would have opted for an abortion had they known of their daughter's medical problems months before her May 2014 birth.

The Republican-controlled Legislature and then-GOP Gov. Sam Brownback passed the law against wrongful birth lawsuits in 2013 at the urging of abortion opponents. It overturned a 1990 state Supreme Court ruling saying Kansas law allowed such lawsuits, and current Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, then a state senator, voted against it.

The parents' attorneys argued that the law violated provisions of the state's bill of rights declaring the right to a jury trial “inviolate” and providing a right to “remedy by due course of law” for injuries. But four of the seven state Supreme Court justices concluded that the state's 1850s founders didn't recognize wrongful birth as a legal concept, making it an “innovation” that isn't covered by those constitutional provisions.

“It is a new species of malpractice action first recognized in 1990,” Justice Dan Biles wrote in their opinion.

The decision upholds a policy favored by anti-abortion groups, who've long criticized the court as too liberal. The state Supreme Court declared in 2019 that access to abortion is a “fundamental” right under the state constitution, meaning it would be protected in Kansas if the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. But Friday's ruling did not cite the 2019 decision or frame the issues in terms of abortion rights.

“The birth of a child should be cause for celebration, not for the law to award damages because the child was ‘wrongfully’ born,” said Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican, who defended the law and is running for governor in 2022.

The four justices were joined in upholding the law by Justice Caleb Stegall, Brownback's only appointee on the court. He was the lone dissenter in the 2019 ruling protecting abortion rights.

Stegall argued that the majority should have simply overturned the 1990 ruling, calling it “one of the worst decisions in our court's history” and a “black mark” on par with a U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the right to inter Japanese Americans during World War II.

He said that although the 1990 ruling precluded lawsuits when healthy children are born, it promoted “reprehensible discrimination” by allowing lawsuits when a child has “gross deformities.”

“The Kansas Supreme Court said quite loudly that under Kansas law, some lives are worth more than others,” Stegall wrote.

Chief Justice Marla Luckert and Justice Eric Rosen disagreed with the majority and would have allowed the lawsuit to proceed.

Luckert said the case contained “the essence of a medical malpractice action,” with the right to file such a lawsuit already recognized when the Kansas Constitution was written in 1859.

Rosen went further in his own opinion, rejecting the idea that constitutional protections for the right to sue cover only types of lawsuits recognized as valid in 1859.

“I believe that recognizing the injury in cases like the one alleged here simply ensures that patients receive competent medical care or compensation for damages if they do not,” Rosen wrote.

A dozen other states besides Kansas have similar laws, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports reproductive rights. It has argued that such laws are part of an "anti-abortion strategy” to deny women information that might lead them to terminate pregnancies.

In the Kansas case, the girl's brain abnormality left her permanently disabled and unable to ever perform “activities of daily living,” according to court documents. The parents, Alysia Tillman and Storm Fleetwood, said that four months before the birth, Dr. Katherine Goodpasture told them that an ultrasound showed a healthy female fetus.

The parents said the ultrasound actually showed severe deformities and brain defects, something Goodpature disputed. Another ultrasound a few days before the girl's birth showed a problem with her brain.

The parents said Tillman was deprived of her right to make an informed decision about her pregnancy and they sued to recover the extra costs of caring for a severely disabled child. A district judge in Riley County in northeastern Kansas dismissed the case after Goodpasture argued that their lawsuit violated the state's law against wrongful birth lawsuits.

An attorney for the doctor declined to comment on the ruling, while an attorney for the parents did not immediately return telephone and email messages seeking comment.

By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) —&nbsp;Kansas' highest court on Friday upheld a law barring so-called wrongful birth lawsuits against doctors, in a case in which a couple sued because they weren't told of serious fetal defects until after an abortion could have been obtained.The state Supreme Court ruled against the parents of a girl born with a severe brain abnormality who said they would have opted for an abortion had they known of their daughter's medical problems months before her May 2014 birth.The Republican-controlled Legislature and then-GOP Gov. Sam Brownback passed the law against wrongful birth lawsuits in 2013 at the urging of abortion opponents. It overturned a 1990 state Supreme Court ruling saying Kansas law allowed such lawsuits, and current Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, then a state senator, voted against it.The parents' attorneys argued that the law violated provisions of the state's bill of rights declaring the right to a jury trial “inviolate” and providing a right to “remedy by due course of law” for injuries. But four of the seven state Supreme Court justices concluded that the state's 1850s founders didn't recognize wrongful birth as a legal concept, making it an “innovation” that isn't covered by those constitutional provisions.“It is a new species of malpractice action first recognized in 1990,” Justice Dan Biles wrote in their opinion.The decision upholds a policy favored by anti-abortion groups, who've long criticized the court as too liberal. The state Supreme Court declared in 2019 that access to abortion is a “fundamental” right under the state constitution, meaning it would be protected in Kansas if the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. But Friday's ruling did not cite the 2019 decision or frame the issues in terms of abortion rights.“The birth of a child should be cause for celebration, not for the law to award damages because the child was ‘wrongfully’ born,” said Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican, who defended the law and is running for governor in 2022.The four justices were joined in upholding the law by Justice Caleb Stegall, Brownback's only appointee on the court. He was the lone dissenter in the 2019 ruling protecting abortion rights.Stegall argued that the majority should have simply overturned the 1990 ruling, calling it “one of the worst decisions in our court's history” and a “black mark” on par with a U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the right to inter Japanese Americans during World War II.He said that although the 1990 ruling precluded lawsuits when healthy children are born, it promoted “reprehensible discrimination” by allowing lawsuits when a child has “gross deformities.”“The Kansas Supreme Court said quite loudly that under Kansas law, some lives are worth more than others,” Stegall wrote.Chief Justice Marla Luckert and Justice Eric Rosen disagreed with the majority and would have allowed the lawsuit to proceed.Luckert said the case contained “the essence of a medical malpractice action,” with the right to file such a lawsuit already recognized when the Kansas Constitution was written in 1859.Rosen went further in his own opinion, rejecting the idea that constitutional protections for the right to sue cover only types of lawsuits recognized as valid in 1859.“I believe that recognizing the injury in cases like the one alleged here simply ensures that patients receive competent medical care or compensation for damages if they do not,” Rosen wrote.A dozen other states besides Kansas have similar laws, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports reproductive rights. It has argued that such laws are part of an "anti-abortion strategy” to deny women information that might lead them to terminate pregnancies.In the Kansas case, the girl's brain abnormality left her permanently disabled and unable to ever perform “activities of daily living,” according to court documents. The parents, Alysia Tillman and Storm Fleetwood, said that four months before the birth, Dr. Katherine Goodpasture told them that an ultrasound showed a healthy female fetus.The parents said the ultrasound actually showed severe deformities and brain defects, something Goodpature disputed. Another ultrasound a few days before the girl's birth showed a problem with her brain.The parents said Tillman was deprived of her right to make an informed decision about her pregnancy and they sued to recover the extra costs of caring for a severely disabled child. A district judge in Riley County in northeastern Kansas dismissed the case after Goodpasture argued that their lawsuit violated the state's law against wrongful birth lawsuits.An attorney for the doctor declined to comment on the ruling, while an attorney for the parents did not immediately return telephone and email messages seeking comment.

Top Kan. court upholds law barring 'wrongful birth' lawsuits

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas House member was arrested for possible misdemeanor battery in what authorities said Friday was an incident involving a student while he was substitute teaching at a public school in his hometown.

Republican Rep. Mark Samsel was booked Thursday into the local county jail and released on a $1,000 bond. His arrest came after a student reported an incident Wednesday at school in his hometown of Wellsville, a town of about 1,700 people some 55 miles southwest of Kansas City.

Samsel, 36, has yet to be formally charged with a crime but has a first appearance scheduled in district court for May 19 in Franklin County, said County Attorney Brandon Jones. Kansas law says battery is either causing bodily harm to another person or physical contact with someone else “done in a rude, insulting or angry manner,” and is punished by up to six months in jail.

Franklin County Sheriff Jeffrey Richards declined to discuss the details of the incident behind Samsel’s arrest. Samsel did not answer a phone call — a message could not be left for him, and he did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

A parent of Wellsville students provided The Associated Press with videos she said were shot by students. One shows a noisy class, with Samsel grabbing a boy, pushing him against a wall and telling him, “I could put the wrath of God on you right now,” before the boy breaks free and runs away, yelling.

The parent, Jessica Roberts, a mother of four, said her son showed her the videos in a social media group chat and she posted on social media about Samsel, asking whether others were concerned about his behavior.

Roberts said in an interview that Samsel was in a position of authority and, “at no point is it appropriate to be off-the-wall with children.”

Kansas City media indicated a reporter had seen videos recorded by students that showed Samsel talking about suicide, sex, masturbation, God and the Bible.

Roberts also shared a Snapchat post from Samsel saying the incident was “all planned,” saying he wanted to “SEND A MESSAGE about art, mental health, teenage suicide, how we treat our educators and one another.”

“To who? Parents,” he posted. “Very simple - EXACTLY what God planned. The kids were in on it.”

Richards said he didn’t know about the Snapchat post and added, “There was nothing staged about our investigation — I can tell you that.”

Samsel also has been a referee for the association that oversees middle and high school sports in Kansas. He was first elected to the House in 2018 and reelected last year.

Wellsville school Superintendent Ryan Bradbury said without naming Samsel that the substitute teacher involved in the Wednesday incident is no longer working for the district.

The top three leaders of the Kansas House’s Republican majority said they were “gathering as much information as we can.”

Samsel is the third Kansas lawmaker to face legal problems this year.

Fellow Republicans ousted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arrests-kansas-topeka-wichita-57fe7b37ea34af1a311c59dd71041ec3">Sen. Gene Suellentrop</a>&nbsp;of Wichita as Senate majority leader earlier this month after he was charged with drunken driving and a felony charge of attempting to elude law enforcement for driving the wrong way on a highway in Topeka.

And Democratic state Rep. Aaron Coleman, of Kansas City, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-legislature-kansas-city-kansas-topeka-768126190ab7c98965245d7808a2bf58">warned by a House committee</a>&nbsp;in writing about abusive behavior toward girls and young women before his election last year. He reached&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-state-courts-legislature-kansas-city-lawsuits-fa6cd16ccb10518f157e4796522d214b">a legal agreement</a>&nbsp;in January with the woman who managed his primary opponent’s campaign to end an anti-stalking court order against him.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619814603053.png" alt="Mark Samsel photo Franklin County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Mark Samsel photo Franklin County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas House member was arrested for possible misdemeanor battery in what authorities said Friday was an incident involving a student while he was substitute teaching at a public school in his hometown.Republican Rep. Mark Samsel was booked Thursday into the local county jail and released on a $1,000 bond. His arrest came after a student reported an incident Wednesday at school in his hometown of Wellsville, a town of about 1,700 people some 55 miles southwest of Kansas City.Samsel, 36, has yet to be formally charged with a crime but has a first appearance scheduled in district court for May 19 in Franklin County, said County Attorney Brandon Jones. Kansas law says battery is either causing bodily harm to another person or physical contact with someone else “done in a rude, insulting or angry manner,” and is punished by up to six months in jail.Franklin County Sheriff Jeffrey Richards declined to discuss the details of the incident behind Samsel’s arrest. Samsel did not answer a phone call — a message could not be left for him, and he did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.A parent of Wellsville students provided The Associated Press with videos she said were shot by students. One shows a noisy class, with Samsel grabbing a boy, pushing him against a wall and telling him, “I could put the wrath of God on you right now,” before the boy breaks free and runs away, yelling.The parent, Jessica Roberts, a mother of four, said her son showed her the videos in a social media group chat and she posted on social media about Samsel, asking whether others were concerned about his behavior.Roberts said in an interview that Samsel was in a position of authority and, “at no point is it appropriate to be off-the-wall with children.”Kansas City media indicated a reporter had seen videos recorded by students that showed Samsel talking about suicide, sex, masturbation, God and the Bible.Roberts also shared a Snapchat post from Samsel saying the incident was “all planned,” saying he wanted to “SEND A MESSAGE about art, mental health, teenage suicide, how we treat our educators and one another.”“To who? Parents,” he posted. “Very simple - EXACTLY what God planned. The kids were in on it.”Richards said he didn’t know about the Snapchat post and added, “There was nothing staged about our investigation — I can tell you that.”Samsel also has been a referee for the association that oversees middle and high school sports in Kansas. He was first elected to the House in 2018 and reelected last year.Wellsville school Superintendent Ryan Bradbury said without naming Samsel that the substitute teacher involved in the Wednesday incident is no longer working for the district.The top three leaders of the Kansas House’s Republican majority said they were “gathering as much information as we can.”Samsel is the third Kansas lawmaker to face legal problems this year.Fellow Republicans ousted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arrests-kansas-topeka-wichita-57fe7b37ea34af1a311c59dd71041ec3">Sen. Gene Suellentrop</a>&nbsp;of Wichita as Senate majority leader earlier this month after he was charged with drunken driving and a felony charge of attempting to elude law enforcement for driving the wrong way on a highway in Topeka.And Democratic state Rep. Aaron Coleman, of Kansas City, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-legislature-kansas-city-kansas-topeka-768126190ab7c98965245d7808a2bf58">warned by a House committee</a>&nbsp;in writing about abusive behavior toward girls and young women before his election last year. He reached&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-state-courts-legislature-kansas-city-lawsuits-fa6cd16ccb10518f157e4796522d214b">a legal agreement</a>&nbsp;in January with the woman who managed his primary opponent’s campaign to end an anti-stalking court order against him.___

Kansas House member jailed after incident at local school

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A newly released report says an Overland Park police officer fired at a minivan because he thought the teenager driver was going to hit him. 

Officer Clayton Jennison told investigators that 17-year-old John Albers did not listen to his commands in the moments before Jennison shot and killed him in January 2018 as Albers backed out of his family's driveway. 

Overland Park officials released a nearly 500-page report on the shooting Thursday. Jennison was not charged in the shooting and has left the police force. Albers' mother, who fought for years to get the report released, said she thought the investigation was aimed at clearing the officer and largely blamed her son for the shooting.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A group of faith leaders is seeking the resignation of Overland Park Police Chief Frank Donchez because of the department's response to the fatal shooting of a teenager in 2018. 

The organization, called MORE2, on Monday said Donchez has misled the public since 17-year-old John Albers was shot by an officer in his family's driveway.

Albers' parents have criticized the department's lack of transparency in their son's shooting and in actions the department has taken since then. The department says it will release a redacted report this week that explains the investigation into the officer’s actions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601028395769.png" alt="Police on the scene of the fatal 2018 shooting -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the fatal 2018 shooting -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A newly released report says an Overland Park police officer fired at a minivan because he thought the teenager driver was going to hit him. Officer Clayton Jennison told investigators that 17-year-old John Albers did not listen to his commands in the moments before Jennison shot and killed him in January 2018 as Albers backed out of his family's driveway. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601028453799.png" alt="Albers-photo courtesy McGilley Memorial Chapel" />
 <figcaption>Albers-photo courtesy McGilley Memorial Chapel</figcaption>
 </figure>Overland Park officials released a nearly 500-page report on the shooting Thursday. Jennison was not charged in the shooting and has left the police force. Albers' mother, who fought for years to get the report released, said she thought the investigation was aimed at clearing the officer and largely blamed her son for the shooting.-----------OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A group of faith leaders is seeking the resignation of Overland Park Police Chief Frank Donchez because of the department's response to the fatal shooting of a teenager in 2018. The organization, called MORE2, on Monday said Donchez has misled the public since 17-year-old John Albers was shot by an officer in his family's driveway.Albers' parents have criticized the department's lack of transparency in their son's shooting and in actions the department has taken since then. The department says it will release a redacted report this week that explains the investigation into the officer’s actions.

Police release report on officer's shooting of Kan. teen

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple charges after an arrest.

On Thursday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 900 Block of SW Macvicar Avenue, related to an ongoing investigation.

While conducting the search warrant, the officer’s located heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and firearms.

They arrested Jeffery Deloach, 60, of Topeka, and transported him to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of heroin with the intent of distribution, Possession of methamphetamine the intent of distribution, Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent of distribution, Possession of marijuana and Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon and Aggravated endangering a child.

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple charges after an arrest.On Thursday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 900 Block of SW Macvicar Avenue, related to an ongoing investigation.While conducting the search warrant, the officer’s located heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and firearms.They arrested Jeffery Deloach, 60, of Topeka, and transported him to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Possession of heroin with the intent of distribution, Possession of methamphetamine the intent of distribution, Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent of distribution, Possession of marijuana and Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon and Aggravated endangering a child.

Kan. man found with heroin, accused of endangering a child

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Coffeyville Police Department are investigating the death of a man at 1709 S. Spruce St. in Coffeyville.

Following the autopsy, the victim’s death was ruled a homicide. Due to the state of decomposition, it will take time before the man can be positively identified.

Just before 2 p.m. Friday, authorities arrested 37-year-old Jennifer R. Garnett, of Coffeyville, in connected to the case. Garnett was arrested at 1518 S. Maple in Coffeyville on requested charges of burglary, theft, forgery and criminal use of a credit card. Garnett was booked into the Montgomery County Jail.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Coffeyville Police Department are conducting a death investigation at a residence in Coffeyville.

Just before 6p.m. Wednesday, April 28, the Coffeyville Police Department received a request from a citizen to check on the welfare of a resident at 1709 S. Spruce St. in Coffeyville, according to a media release from the KBI.

When Coffeyville police arrived at the home, they discovered a deceased male inside. Due to the state of decomposition, the man has not yet been positively identified.

Anyone with information related to this death investigation is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME or the Coffeyville Police Department at 620-252-6160.

An autopsy is scheduled for Friday, April 30. The investigation is ongoing. Nothing further will be released at this time.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Coffeyville Police Department are investigating the death of a man at 1709 S. Spruce St. in Coffeyville.Following the autopsy, the victim’s death was ruled a homicide. Due to the state of decomposition, it will take time before the man can be positively identified.Just before 2 p.m. Friday, authorities arrested 37-year-old Jennifer R. Garnett, of Coffeyville, in connected to the case. Garnett was arrested at 1518 S. Maple in Coffeyville on requested charges of burglary, theft, forgery and criminal use of a credit card. Garnett was booked into the Montgomery County Jail.------------MONTGOMERY COUNTY–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Coffeyville Police Department are conducting a death investigation at a residence in Coffeyville.Just before 6p.m. Wednesday, April 28, the Coffeyville Police Department received a request from a citizen to check on the welfare of a resident at 1709 S. Spruce St. in Coffeyville, according to a media release from the KBI.When Coffeyville police arrived at the home, they discovered a deceased male inside. Due to the state of decomposition, the man has not yet been positively identified.Anyone with information related to this death investigation is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME or the Coffeyville Police Department at 620-252-6160.An autopsy is scheduled for Friday, April 30. The investigation is ongoing. Nothing further will be released at this time.

Homicide: Woman jailed in connection with KBI investigation

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting that left a teen dead have arrested a second suspect and are asking the public for help to locate a third.

Police <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20070532">booked 18-year-old Breckyn I. Elliot</a> of Wichita just before 6:30p.m. Thursday on requested charges of first degree murder stemming from the shooting that fatally injured 17-year-old Erik Stokes of Wichita, according to Officer Paul Cruz.

On Tuesday police arrested 18-year-old Easton Palmer of Wichita in connection with the crime.

Police are now asking for help locating 25-year-old Jaron C. Palmer of Wichita. He is wanted for first-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery.

Just before 7p.m. Sunday, 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.

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 Tuesday, 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 Palmer on Tuesday evening at a home in the 11200 block of west Dora in Wichita without incident.

“Time and time again, the community helps solve violent crimes in Wichita,” Chief Gordon Ramsay said.&nbsp; “This is a prime example, and we appreciate the community’s help and continued support.”

&nbsp;Detectives are working on locating two other suspects involved in the crime.

Palmer and Elliott are being held on requested charges of first-degree murder and aggravated robbery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619801567819.png" alt="Elliott photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Elliott photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting that left a teen dead have arrested a second suspect and are asking the public for help to locate a third.Police <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20070532">booked 18-year-old Breckyn I. Elliot</a> of Wichita just before 6:30p.m. Thursday on requested charges of first degree murder stemming from the shooting that fatally injured 17-year-old Erik Stokes of Wichita, according to Officer Paul Cruz. On Tuesday police arrested 18-year-old Easton Palmer of Wichita in connection with the crime.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619801280517.png" alt="Palmer photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Palmer photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Police are now asking for help locating 25-year-old Jaron C. Palmer of Wichita. He is wanted for first-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery.Just before 7p.m. Sunday, 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="Through the investigation, detectives determined the two pictured suspects and possibly other were involved in the incident." />
 <figcaption>Through the investigation, detectives determined the two pictured suspects and possibly other were involved in the incident.</figcaption>
 </figure>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="Palmer photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Palmer photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>On Tuesday, 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 Palmer on Tuesday evening at a home in the 11200 block of west Dora in Wichita without incident.“Time and time again, the community helps solve violent crimes in Wichita,” Chief Gordon Ramsay said.&nbsp; “This is a prime example, and we appreciate the community’s help and continued support.”&nbsp;Detectives are working on locating two other suspects involved in the crime.Palmer and Elliott are being held on requested charges of first-degree murder and aggravated robbery.---------

Police ask for help to locate 3rd suspect in murder of Kan. teen

KANSAS CITY (AP) —Disneyland reopened on Friday and cruise lines welcomed the news that they could be sailing again in the U.S. by midsummer, as the number of Americans fully vaccinated against COVID-19 reached another milestone: 100 million.

Visitors cheered and screamed with delight as the Southern California theme park swung open its gates for the first time in 13 months in a powerful symbol of the U.S. rebound, even though the self-proclaimed Happiest Place on Earth is allowing only in-state guests for now and operating at just 25% capacity.

The reopening and similar steps elsewhere around the country reflect increasing optimism as COVID-19 deaths tumble and the ranks of the vaccinated grow — a stark contrast to the worsening disaster in India and Brazil and the scant availability of vaccines in many poor parts of the world.

In fact, the U.S. said Friday it will restrict travel from India starting Tuesday, citing a devastating rise in COVID-19 cases in the country and the emergence of potentially dangerous variants of the coronavirus.

While the overall number of lives lost to COVID-19 in the U.S. has eclipsed 575,000, deaths have plummeted to an average of about 670 per day from a peak of around 3,400 in mid-January.

Thirty-nine percent of the nation’s adult population has been fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over 55% of adults have received at least one dose.

However, about 8% of those who have gotten one dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine have not returned for their second shot, officials said. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said it is important to complete the course to gain maximum protection against the coronavirus.

“Make sure you get that second dose,” he said at a White House briefing.

Dr. Leana Wen, former Baltimore health commissioner and a visiting professor of health policy at George Washington University, said fully vaccinating about 40% of American adults is a great achievement but not enough.

“The hardest part is ahead of us,” she said. “I’m very concerned that we are not going to come anywhere close to reaching herd immunity in 2021.”

Wen noted that Fauci has estimated 70% to 85% of the U.S. population would need to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity.

The immunization drive has slowed in recent weeks, even as shots have been thrown open to all adults. Wen said better weather and falling case counts will make it harder to reach people who have not yet been vaccinated.

“Those people who are on the fence about getting a vaccine may have less reason to get one now because they don’t see coronavirus as an existential crisis anymore,” she said.

CDC officials also reported Friday that it was anxiety — not a problem with the shots — that caused fainting, dizziness and other reactions reported in 64 people at vaccine clinics in five states in early April. None got seriously ill.

Cruise lines, meanwhile, cheered the news that the CDC is committed to resuming sailing in the U.S. by midsummer and is adjusting some of the rules to speed the process.

Earlier this week, the CDC said in a letter to the industry that it will let ships cruise without going through practice trips first if 98% of the crew and 95% of the passengers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

“The voices of community leaders and the wider cruise community are being heard — and we are very grateful for that,” said Laziza Lambert, a spokeswoman for the Cruise Lines International Association.

U.S. cruises have been shut down by the pandemic since March 2020.

In New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday he expects to see COVID-19 restrictions lifted and the city “fully reopen” by July 1. He cited rising vaccination rates and decreasing hospitalizations.

“We are ready for stores to open, for businesses to open, offices, theaters, full strength,” he said on MSNBC.

However, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has maintained throughout the crisis that such decisions are his alone, and he said Thursday he would like to lift restrictions even sooner.

“I don’t want to wait that long. I think if we do what we have to do, we can be reopened earlier,” he said.

Cuomo said on Friday that New York City can increase indoor dining to 75% of capacity starting May 7.

In Michigan, which in recent weeks became the worst hot spot in the U.S., the numbers are finally showing improvement, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a plan to tie the lifting of restrictions to the state’s vaccination rate.

KANSAS CITY (AP) —Disneyland reopened on Friday and cruise lines welcomed the news that they could be sailing again in the U.S. by midsummer, as the number of Americans fully vaccinated against COVID-19 reached another milestone: 100 million.Visitors cheered and screamed with delight as the Southern California theme park swung open its gates for the first time in 13 months in a powerful symbol of the U.S. rebound, even though the self-proclaimed Happiest Place on Earth is allowing only in-state guests for now and operating at just 25% capacity.The reopening and similar steps elsewhere around the country reflect increasing optimism as COVID-19 deaths tumble and the ranks of the vaccinated grow — a stark contrast to the worsening disaster in India and Brazil and the scant availability of vaccines in many poor parts of the world.In fact, the U.S. said Friday it will restrict travel from India starting Tuesday, citing a devastating rise in COVID-19 cases in the country and the emergence of potentially dangerous variants of the coronavirus.While the overall number of lives lost to COVID-19 in the U.S. has eclipsed 575,000, deaths have plummeted to an average of about 670 per day from a peak of around 3,400 in mid-January.Thirty-nine percent of the nation’s adult population has been fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over 55% of adults have received at least one dose.However, about 8% of those who have gotten one dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine have not returned for their second shot, officials said. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said it is important to complete the course to gain maximum protection against the coronavirus.“Make sure you get that second dose,” he said at a White House briefing.Dr. Leana Wen, former Baltimore health commissioner and a visiting professor of health policy at George Washington University, said fully vaccinating about 40% of American adults is a great achievement but not enough.“The hardest part is ahead of us,” she said. “I’m very concerned that we are not going to come anywhere close to reaching herd immunity in 2021.”Wen noted that Fauci has estimated 70% to 85% of the U.S. population would need to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity.The immunization drive has slowed in recent weeks, even as shots have been thrown open to all adults. Wen said better weather and falling case counts will make it harder to reach people who have not yet been vaccinated.“Those people who are on the fence about getting a vaccine may have less reason to get one now because they don’t see coronavirus as an existential crisis anymore,” she said.CDC officials also reported Friday that it was anxiety — not a problem with the shots — that caused fainting, dizziness and other reactions reported in 64 people at vaccine clinics in five states in early April. None got seriously ill.Cruise lines, meanwhile, cheered the news that the CDC is committed to resuming sailing in the U.S. by midsummer and is adjusting some of the rules to speed the process.Earlier this week, the CDC said in a letter to the industry that it will let ships cruise without going through practice trips first if 98% of the crew and 95% of the passengers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.“The voices of community leaders and the wider cruise community are being heard — and we are very grateful for that,” said Laziza Lambert, a spokeswoman for the Cruise Lines International Association.U.S. cruises have been shut down by the pandemic since March 2020.In New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday he expects to see COVID-19 restrictions lifted and the city “fully reopen” by July 1. He cited rising vaccination rates and decreasing hospitalizations.“We are ready for stores to open, for businesses to open, offices, theaters, full strength,” he said on MSNBC.However, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has maintained throughout the crisis that such decisions are his alone, and he said Thursday he would like to lift restrictions even sooner.“I don’t want to wait that long. I think if we do what we have to do, we can be reopened earlier,” he said.Cuomo said on Friday that New York City can increase indoor dining to 75% of capacity starting May 7.In Michigan, which in recent weeks became the worst hot spot in the U.S., the numbers are finally showing improvement, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a plan to tie the lifting of restrictions to the state’s vaccination rate.___

Number of Americans fully vaccinated tops 100 million

SALINA —United States Senator Jerry Moran was in Salina Friday to speak at the Schwan's construction site concerning a $3.8 million federal grant the City of Salina has received in connection to the expansion.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo&nbsp; announced that the department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3.8 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the City of Salina for drainage and road improvements to allow for the Schwan's expansion.

The EDA grant, to be matched with $939,200 in local investment, helps pave the way for the Schwan's expansion, the U.S. Department of Commerce noted.

On Aug. 10, Schwan's announced the 400,000-square-foot expansion of its pizza manufacturing facility at the Salina Airport Industrial Center, bringing with it 225 new full-time jobs by 2023. The move also helps secure the future of more than 1,100 current jobs at the Schwan's facility.

“President Biden is committed to unleashing the full power of the federal government to ensure our nation not only recovers from this pandemic but builds back stronger,” Raimondo said in a news release from the U.S. Department of Commerce. “This EDA investment in Salina will provide infrastructure improvements needed to support the expansion of a major food manufacturer – creating a stronger, more resilient regional economy.”

“Strong local economies are key to recovering from this pandemic, and federal investments like this one help accomplish important regional economic development goals,” Moran said. “This grant will support local business expansion in Salina, keeping jobs in the area and creating new opportunities for the local workforce. I will continue to work with our federal agencies to make certain that Kansas is a priority when these resources are distributed.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619809218390.jpeg" alt="U.S. Senator Jerry Moran speaks to the group assembled at the Schwan's construction site Friday. Photo courtesy Senator Moran's office" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Senator Jerry Moran speaks to the group assembled at the Schwan's construction site Friday. Photo courtesy Senator Moran's office</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA —United States Senator Jerry Moran was in Salina Friday to speak at the Schwan's construction site concerning a $3.8 million federal grant the City of Salina has received in connection to the expansion.U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo&nbsp; announced that the department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3.8 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the City of Salina for drainage and road improvements to allow for the Schwan's expansion.The EDA grant, to be matched with $939,200 in local investment, helps pave the way for the Schwan's expansion, the U.S. Department of Commerce noted.On Aug. 10, Schwan's announced the 400,000-square-foot expansion of its pizza manufacturing facility at the Salina Airport Industrial Center, bringing with it 225 new full-time jobs by 2023. The move also helps secure the future of more than 1,100 current jobs at the Schwan's facility.“President Biden is committed to unleashing the full power of the federal government to ensure our nation not only recovers from this pandemic but builds back stronger,” Raimondo said in a news release from the U.S. Department of Commerce. “This EDA investment in Salina will provide infrastructure improvements needed to support the expansion of a major food manufacturer – creating a stronger, more resilient regional economy.”“Strong local economies are key to recovering from this pandemic, and federal investments like this one help accomplish important regional economic development goals,” Moran said. “This grant will support local business expansion in Salina, keeping jobs in the area and creating new opportunities for the local workforce. I will continue to work with our federal agencies to make certain that Kansas is a priority when these resources are distributed.”

Senator Moran in Salina to discuss city's $3.8M federal grant 

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas City-area high school athletic director is pleading with families to take pandemic safety protocols seriously after instructing about 200 students to quarantine this week.

John Johnson, who oversees athletics at Shawnee Mission South High School, said in a message to parents and athletes that “there are more students with positive tests, and that is causing an extreme domino effect of COVID transmission concerns.” He also warned that post-season play could be affected.

Elected officials in Johnson County voted Thursday to switch the mask mandate to a recommendation, although the decision doesn’t affect schools.

Health officials in the county, which is the state’s largest, have warned that while the number of new coronavirus cases is down, the drop in testing makes it more difficult to know how widespread transmission of the virus has become. And they are urging eligible residents to get vaccinated, saying that demand has slowed.

District spokesman David Smith said that it is typical for student athletes to be quarantined from playing sports after a potential exposure, but still be allowed to attend class.

“At school, we have protocols, including mask-wearing and social distancing. But when you’re participating in sports, it’s not always possible to do those things,” Smith said.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas City-area high school athletic director is pleading with families to take pandemic safety protocols seriously after instructing about 200 students to quarantine this week.John Johnson, who oversees athletics at Shawnee Mission South High School, said in a message to parents and athletes that “there are more students with positive tests, and that is causing an extreme domino effect of COVID transmission concerns.” He also warned that post-season play could be affected.Elected officials in Johnson County voted Thursday to switch the mask mandate to a recommendation, although the decision doesn’t affect schools.Health officials in the county, which is the state’s largest, have warned that while the number of new coronavirus cases is down, the drop in testing makes it more difficult to know how widespread transmission of the virus has become. And they are urging eligible residents to get vaccinated, saying that demand has slowed.District spokesman David Smith said that it is typical for student athletes to be quarantined from playing sports after a potential exposure, but still be allowed to attend class.“At school, we have protocols, including mask-wearing and social distancing. But when you’re participating in sports, it’s not always possible to do those things,” Smith said.

200 athletes told to quarantine at Kansas City area school

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 620 to a total of 309,130, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

Total coronavirus deaths were reported at 4982, an increase of 4.

<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 620 to a total of 309,130, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;Total coronavirus deaths were reported at 4982, an increase of 4.<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/2021/4/1619802078718.png" alt="Friday April30,2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday April30,2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities investigating the death of a woman have identified the victim as 58-year-old Deborah A. Stephens of Topeka.

Just before at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, deputies from the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 800 block of SW 57th Street for a death investigation, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

 Deputies arrived on scene and discovered Stephens who was dead.

After a preliminary investigation deputies arrested Jon K. Ewing, 61, of Scranton and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of voluntary manslaughter.

Upon further investigation, authorities amended the voluntary manslaughter charge to murder in the first degree, according to Christian.

 Ewing is also being held on a requested charge of with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, criminal threat and interference with law enforcement, according to Christian.

He remains jailed on a&nbsp;$1,000,000.00 bond, according to online jail records.&nbsp; Authorities have not released how Stephens died.

SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a woman and have made an arrest.

 Deputies arrived on scene and discovered the body of a deceased adult woman.

After a preliminary investigation deputies arrested Jon K. Ewing, 61, of Scranton and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of voluntary manslaughter. He remains jailed on a&nbsp;$1,000,000.00 bond, according to online jail records.

Authorities have not released the name of the victim or details on how she died.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619643435186.png" alt="Ewing -photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Ewing -photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities investigating the death of a woman have identified the victim as 58-year-old Deborah A. Stephens of Topeka.Just before at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, deputies from the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 800 block of SW 57th Street for a death investigation, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. Deputies arrived on scene and discovered Stephens who was dead.After a preliminary investigation deputies arrested Jon K. Ewing, 61, of Scranton and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of voluntary manslaughter.Upon further investigation, authorities amended the voluntary manslaughter charge to murder in the first degree, according to Christian. Ewing is also being held on a requested charge of with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, criminal threat and interference with law enforcement, according to Christian.He remains jailed on a&nbsp;$1,000,000.00 bond, according to online jail records.&nbsp; Authorities have not released how Stephens died.----------SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a woman and have made an arrest.Just before at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, deputies from the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 800 block of SW 57th Street for a death investigation, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. Deputies arrived on scene and discovered the body of a deceased adult woman.After a preliminary investigation deputies arrested Jon K. Ewing, 61, of Scranton and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of voluntary manslaughter. He remains jailed on a&nbsp;$1,000,000.00 bond, according to online jail records.Authorities have not released the name of the victim or details on how she died.

Sheriff: Kan. woman was kidnapped before her murder

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a case of alleged arson and have made an arrest.

Just after 2:30p.m. Thursday, officers filed a report for aggravated arson in the 2100 block of Poyntz Avenue in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

&nbsp;Manhattan High West USD 383 and a 49-year-old school district staff member reported a 17-year-old boy lit a trash can on fire in the building during the school day.

No injuries were reported. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $50.00. 

Police arrested Ryan Joshua Tierney, 17, of Manhattan on a requested charge of aggravated arson and transported him to the Geary County Juvenile Detention Center.&nbsp;

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a case of alleged arson and have made an arrest.Just after 2:30p.m. Thursday, officers filed a report for aggravated arson in the 2100 block of Poyntz Avenue in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.&nbsp;Manhattan High West USD 383 and a 49-year-old school district staff member reported a 17-year-old boy lit a trash can on fire in the building during the school day.No injuries were reported. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $50.00. Police arrested Ryan Joshua Tierney, 17, of Manhattan on a requested charge of aggravated arson and transported him to the Geary County Juvenile Detention Center.&nbsp;

Kan. teen accused of setting trash can on fire at high school

OVERLAND (AP) — A man has died in a workplace accident in suburban Kansas City, Kan., authorities there said.

The accident happened Thursday at Midwest Tow Turbo and Diesel in Overland Park, when a vehicle fell off a tow truck and crushed a worker underneath trying to secure it, Overland Park police said in a news release.

Police had not released the victim’s name by Friday morning, but said he was in his late 60s or early 70s.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619789504626.png" alt="First responders on the scene of the fatal accident -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene of the fatal accident -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>OVERLAND (AP) — A man has died in a workplace accident in suburban Kansas City, Kan., authorities there said.The accident happened Thursday at Midwest Tow Turbo and Diesel in Overland Park, when a vehicle fell off a tow truck and crushed a worker underneath trying to secure it, Overland Park police said in a news release.Police had not released the victim’s name by Friday morning, but said he was in his late 60s or early 70s.

Police: Worker crushed to death at Kansas towing business

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A big political battle is brewing over whether top Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature will have the final say over how the state spends more than $4.8 billion it expects to receive from the latest federal COVID-19 relief package.

The move comes as elected officials voted Thursday to drop mask mandates in Johnson and Riley counties in coming days. The votes leave&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-kansas-coronavirus-b9da57716655c288631dd5ddb9d180f3">mask mandates in place</a>&nbsp;in just two counties — Douglas in the Lawrence area and Wyandotte County in the Kansas City, Kansas, area.

Masks have been part of an ongoing fight that has pitted Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly against the GOP-controlled Legislature.

Kelly this week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-legislature-kansas-wichita-topeka-b657273a7badf35077a88aedbf03316d">vetoed&nbsp;</a>a provision in a spending bill that would have required state agencies to have their proposals for spending relief dollars vetted by the joint Legislative Budget Committee and then approved by a council of the Legislature’s top eight leaders. Six of those eight leaders are currently Republican, and five of the budget panel’s seven members currently are Republicans.

Kelly prefers to keep the system set up last year, where a task force she appointed makes recommendations on spending to the State Finance Council. The council has eight legislative leaders, and six of those leaders are currently Republicans, but the governor is the chair, calls the meetings and can veto what the lawmakers do.

The governor said in her veto message that making a change would “create confusion and slow down the ability to make meaningful investments critical to our economic recovery.”

Republican lawmakers plan to attempt to override Kelly’s veto once the Legislature reconvenes Monday to wrap up its business for the year. They will need two-thirds majorities in both chambers -- which Republicans have if none of them defect.

Rep. Kyle Hoffman, a Coldwater Republican who helped draft the budget legislation, said the change is necessary for lawmakers to “have a say” in how the money is spent.

“The State Finance Council is controlled by the governor,” he said.

But Rep. Stephanie Clayton, an Overland Park Democrat, saw the proposal to have only legislative leaders decide how the money is spent is “stacking the deck so only they have control.”

“That’s just a power a grab,” she said. “People don’t need that nonsense. They need us acting like adults right now. They don’t need us acting like 2-year-olds who want to take it all for ourselves.”

By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A big political battle is brewing over whether top Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature will have the final say over how the state spends more than $4.8 billion it expects to receive from the latest federal COVID-19 relief package.The move comes as elected officials voted Thursday to drop mask mandates in Johnson and Riley counties in coming days. The votes leave&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-kansas-coronavirus-b9da57716655c288631dd5ddb9d180f3">mask mandates in place</a>&nbsp;in just two counties — Douglas in the Lawrence area and Wyandotte County in the Kansas City, Kansas, area.Masks have been part of an ongoing fight that has pitted Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly against the GOP-controlled Legislature.Kelly this week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-legislature-kansas-wichita-topeka-b657273a7badf35077a88aedbf03316d">vetoed&nbsp;</a>a provision in a spending bill that would have required state agencies to have their proposals for spending relief dollars vetted by the joint Legislative Budget Committee and then approved by a council of the Legislature’s top eight leaders. Six of those eight leaders are currently Republican, and five of the budget panel’s seven members currently are Republicans.Kelly prefers to keep the system set up last year, where a task force she appointed makes recommendations on spending to the State Finance Council. The council has eight legislative leaders, and six of those leaders are currently Republicans, but the governor is the chair, calls the meetings and can veto what the lawmakers do.The governor said in her veto message that making a change would “create confusion and slow down the ability to make meaningful investments critical to our economic recovery.”Republican lawmakers plan to attempt to override Kelly’s veto once the Legislature reconvenes Monday to wrap up its business for the year. They will need two-thirds majorities in both chambers -- which Republicans have if none of them defect.Rep. Kyle Hoffman, a Coldwater Republican who helped draft the budget legislation, said the change is necessary for lawmakers to “have a say” in how the money is spent.“The State Finance Council is controlled by the governor,” he said.But Rep. Stephanie Clayton, an Overland Park Democrat, saw the proposal to have only legislative leaders decide how the money is spent is “stacking the deck so only they have control.”“That’s just a power a grab,” she said. “People don’t need that nonsense. They need us acting like adults right now. They don’t need us acting like 2-year-olds who want to take it all for ourselves.”

Battle brews in Kan. over how to spend COVID relief funds

OVERLAND PARK—Law enforcement authorities&nbsp;investigating a fight between students and parents at a Kansas middle school where one parent was run over and critically injured have a woman in custody.

Tyla Jack, 40, turned herself in at police headquarters Thursday afternoon, according to Kansas City Police. Police issued a statewide attempt to locate for her Thursday.

The incident on Tuesday afternoon started with a fight between two girls at Carl Bruce Middle School, 2100 N 18th St, Kansas City, Kansas.

 School officials broke up the fight and called the girls’ parents, who showed up on the scene and made matters worse, police said.

As the mother of one of the girls walked away to leave, a family member of the other girl ran over the woman with her car and dragged her, police said. No students were hurt in the altercation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619779771622.png" alt="Tyla Jack is being held in Wyandotte County" />
 <figcaption>Tyla Jack is being held in Wyandotte County</figcaption>
 </figure>OVERLAND PARK—Law enforcement authorities&nbsp;investigating a fight between students and parents at a Kansas middle school where one parent was run over and critically injured have a woman in custody.Tyla Jack, 40, turned herself in at police headquarters Thursday afternoon, according to Kansas City Police. Police issued a statewide attempt to locate for her Thursday.The incident on Tuesday afternoon started with a fight between two girls at Carl Bruce Middle School, 2100 N 18th St, Kansas City, Kansas. School officials broke up the fight and called the girls’ parents, who showed up on the scene and made matters worse, police said.As the mother of one of the girls walked away to leave, a family member of the other girl ran over the woman with her car and dragged her, police said. No students were hurt in the altercation.The woman who was hit was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries. Police said the driver who hit her later identified as Tyla Jack fled the scene. She remains jailed on requested charges of aggravated assault, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, aggravated battery, flee and elude law enforcement, according to online jail records.---------OVERLAND PARK —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fight between students and parents at a Kansas middle school where one parent was run over and critically injured issued an attempt to locate for 40-year-old&nbsp; Tyla Jack.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619698781089.png" alt="Tyla Jack photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Tyla Jack photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>The incident happened Tuesday afternoon and started with a fight between two girls at Carl Bruce Middle School,&nbsp;2100 N 18th St, Kansas City, Kansas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619698830636.png" alt="Police believe Jack was driving this vehicle when it struck and seriously injured the mother of another student. If you have info call 816-474-TIPS." />
 <figcaption>Police believe Jack was driving this vehicle when it struck and seriously injured the mother of another student. If you have info call 816-474-TIPS.</figcaption>
 </figure> School officials broke up the fight and called the girls’ parents, who showed up on the scene and made matters worse, police said.As the mother of one of the girls walked away to leave, a family member of the other girl ran over the woman with her car and dragged her, police said. No students were hurt in the altercation.The woman who was hit was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries. Police said the driver who hit her later identified as Tyla Jack fled the scene.-------KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A fight involving students and parents at a Kansas middle school became a police matter when one parent was run over and critically injured in the school’s parking lot, police in Kansas City, Kansas, said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619622867048.png" alt="Police on the scene in the school parking lot on Tuesday -photo courtesy KMBC&nbsp; TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene in the school parking lot on Tuesday -photo courtesy KMBC&nbsp; TV</figcaption>
 </figure>The incident happened Tuesday afternoon and started with a fight between two girls at Carl Bruce Middle School, station WDAF&nbsp;<a href="https://fox4kc.com/news/fight-ends-when-adult-hits-another-adult-with-car-outside-kansas-city-kansas-middle-school/" target="_blank">reported</a>. School officials broke up the fight and called the girls’ parents, who showed up on the scene and made matters worse, police said.As the mother of one of the girls walked away to leave, a family member of the other girl ran over the woman with her car and dragged her, police said. No students were hurt in the altercation.The woman who was hit was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries. Police said the driver who hit her fled the scene and had not been arrested by early Wednesday morning.Police said they are investigating and reviewing video of the crash.