WICHITA, KAN. (AP) — A&nbsp;Wichita man charged with first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of his cousin told police that the killing happened after his cousin acknowledged molesting two people, court records say.

The affidavit released Friday in the case against 39-year-old Jason Payne said he told police that he tucked the body of 34-year-old Michael Montgomery in a basement crawl space after the attack, cleaned up and then drank and used drugs until he decided to surrender.

Authorities received a 911 call on the morning of Jan. 13 about a man who appeared to be disoriented and was lying down in the street. Officers who checked out the report heard Payne say that “he had ‘killed his cousin’” before he was taken to a Wichita hospital for help, according to the affidavit.

A neighbor told police that Payne and Montgomery were roommates and that Montgomery “was disabled and utilized a wheelchair,” the affidavit says. The neighbor said he had seen people moving items into the basement of the fourplex where the cousins lived for several days. Officers then found Montgomery's body in a bag in the crawl space.

Payne, who is jailed on $200,000 bond, told police that Montgomery “had always denied the molestation accusation” before the stabbing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610628823403.png" alt="Payne photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Payne photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. (AP) — A&nbsp;Wichita man charged with first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of his cousin told police that the killing happened after his cousin acknowledged molesting two people, court records say.The affidavit released Friday in the case against 39-year-old Jason Payne said he told police that he tucked the body of 34-year-old Michael Montgomery in a basement crawl space after the attack, cleaned up and then drank and used drugs until he decided to surrender.Authorities received a 911 call on the morning of Jan. 13 about a man who appeared to be disoriented and was lying down in the street. Officers who checked out the report heard Payne say that “he had ‘killed his cousin’” before he was taken to a Wichita hospital for help, according to the affidavit.A neighbor told police that Payne and Montgomery were roommates and that Montgomery “was disabled and utilized a wheelchair,” the affidavit says. The neighbor said he had seen people moving items into the basement of the fourplex where the cousins lived for several days. Officers then found Montgomery's body in a bag in the crawl space.Payne, who is jailed on $200,000 bond, told police that Montgomery “had always denied the molestation accusation” before the stabbing.

Affidavit: Cousin's admission triggered fatal Kan. stabbing

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly proposed Monday that Kansas should legalize marijuana for medical purposes and use the revenues to expand Medicaid health care for low-income residents, a top priority that the GOP-controlled Legislature has blocked due to cost concerns.

Although Kelly’s unusual strategy seems to solve the money question when it comes to Medicaid, it figures to further rile conservatives who have resisted joining conservative neighbors Missouri and Oklahoma in allowing medical marijuana. Elections last year not only preserved Republican supermajorities in both chambers but left them more conservative.

Kelly has made expanding Medicaid for as many as 165,000 additional Kansas residents a top priority since becoming governor two years ago, but top Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature have prevented its passage. Kelly also previously said she’d sign a medical marijuana bill but she hadn’t actively pushed the idea.

Kelly’s proposed $19.9 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 assumes that Kansas expands Medicaid at the start of 2022, with the state spending $19 million and receiving $541 million in federal funds to cover the costs of the first half-year of the expanded program. Republicans have argued that expanding Medicaid is likely to cost Kansas far more, and GOP leaders have shown no interest in tackling the issue this year.

Meanwhile, the Legislature has taken only relatively small steps toward legalizing medical marijuana even as most other states have done it. Missouri and Oklahoma used ballot initiatives to approve it in 2018, and other states — including Colorado — allow adult recreational use. Thirty-six states allow medical marijuana use and 15 allow recreational use by adults, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Kansas legislators in 2019 created an&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2020/b2019_20/measures/documents/summary_hb_2167_2019" target="_blank">industrial hemp</a>&nbsp;research and production program and approved a law to protect from prosecution people who use&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2020/b2019_20/measures/documents/summary_sb_28_2019" target="_blank">cannabidiol oils</a>&nbsp;to treat children with debilitating medical conditions. Later that year, a legislative study committee recommended considering a measure like a 2016 Ohio law that allowed treatments for about 20 conditions if the marijuana cannot be smoked, but the idea didn’t get traction last year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610501495272.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly during her State of the State address last month." />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly during her State of the State address last month.</figcaption>
 </figure>OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly proposed Monday that Kansas should legalize marijuana for medical purposes and use the revenues to expand Medicaid health care for low-income residents, a top priority that the GOP-controlled Legislature has blocked due to cost concerns.Although Kelly’s unusual strategy seems to solve the money question when it comes to Medicaid, it figures to further rile conservatives who have resisted joining conservative neighbors Missouri and Oklahoma in allowing medical marijuana. Elections last year not only preserved Republican supermajorities in both chambers but left them more conservative.Kelly has made expanding Medicaid for as many as 165,000 additional Kansas residents a top priority since becoming governor two years ago, but top Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature have prevented its passage. Kelly also previously said she’d sign a medical marijuana bill but she hadn’t actively pushed the idea.Kelly’s proposed $19.9 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 assumes that Kansas expands Medicaid at the start of 2022, with the state spending $19 million and receiving $541 million in federal funds to cover the costs of the first half-year of the expanded program. Republicans have argued that expanding Medicaid is likely to cost Kansas far more, and GOP leaders have shown no interest in tackling the issue this year.Meanwhile, the Legislature has taken only relatively small steps toward legalizing medical marijuana even as most other states have done it. Missouri and Oklahoma used ballot initiatives to approve it in 2018, and other states — including Colorado — allow adult recreational use. Thirty-six states allow medical marijuana use and 15 allow recreational use by adults, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.Kansas legislators in 2019 created an&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2020/b2019_20/measures/documents/summary_hb_2167_2019" target="_blank">industrial hemp</a>&nbsp;research and production program and approved a law to protect from prosecution people who use&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2020/b2019_20/measures/documents/summary_sb_28_2019" target="_blank">cannabidiol oils</a>&nbsp;to treat children with debilitating medical conditions. Later that year, a legislative study committee recommended considering a measure like a 2016 Ohio law that allowed treatments for about 20 conditions if the marijuana cannot be smoked, but the idea didn’t get traction last year.___

Kan. governor: Medical pot should fund Medicaid expansion

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A coronavirus variant did not cause a fast-moving outbreak at a Kansas prison that infected dozens of inmates and staff, the state health department said Monday.

Testing determined that the COVID-19 outbreak at the minimum-security Winfield Correctional Facility in south-central Kansas was not caused by virus variants first detected in Great Britain or South Africa, said Kristi Zears, a spokesperson for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

<a href="https://www.doc.ks.gov/kdoc-coronavirus-updates/kdoc-covid-19-status" target="_blank">The state Department of Corrections reported</a>&nbsp;that as of Thursday, the Winfield prison had 14 active cases among staff and 112 among its population of about 450 inmates.

State officials have said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-health-genomics-kansas-wichita-coronavirus-pandemic-ce481a20a3f7b568fa1df52066b42388">the outbreak developed within a few days</a>&nbsp;after two weeks of no cases, leading public health officials to suspect a coronavirus variant. The health department used genomic testing to determine whether a variant was involved.

Concerns about a variant in Kansas came with new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases dropping. The state averaged 1,059 new cases a day for the seven days ending Monday, the lowest rolling seven-day average since late October, based on state health department data.

Kansas reported 1,983 new cases since Friday to make the pandemic total 276,668. It reported 30 additional deaths in three days to make the total 3,809.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612210594052.png" alt="Photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A coronavirus variant did not cause a fast-moving outbreak at a Kansas prison that infected dozens of inmates and staff, the state health department said Monday.Testing determined that the COVID-19 outbreak at the minimum-security Winfield Correctional Facility in south-central Kansas was not caused by virus variants first detected in Great Britain or South Africa, said Kristi Zears, a spokesperson for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.<a href="https://www.doc.ks.gov/kdoc-coronavirus-updates/kdoc-covid-19-status" target="_blank">The state Department of Corrections reported</a>&nbsp;that as of Thursday, the Winfield prison had 14 active cases among staff and 112 among its population of about 450 inmates.State officials have said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-health-genomics-kansas-wichita-coronavirus-pandemic-ce481a20a3f7b568fa1df52066b42388">the outbreak developed within a few days</a>&nbsp;after two weeks of no cases, leading public health officials to suspect a coronavirus variant. The health department used genomic testing to determine whether a variant was involved.Concerns about a variant in Kansas came with new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases dropping. The state averaged 1,059 new cases a day for the seven days ending Monday, the lowest rolling seven-day average since late October, based on state health department data.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612203295609.png" alt="Monday Feb. 1, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday Feb. 1, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas reported 1,983 new cases since Friday to make the pandemic total 276,668. It reported 30 additional deaths in three days to make the total 3,809.

Cause of rapid COVID outbreak at Kan. prison still unclear

CORRECTED 9 a.m. Tuesday to reflect correct condition of the accident victim. The Post News Network apologizes for the error.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —One person was hospitalized in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Monday in Sedgwick County.

The Kansas. Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Ford Fiesta driven by Makenzie Leigh Kackley, 26, Haysville, was southbound on the Kansas Turnpike just east of Kellogg.&nbsp;

The vehicle left the road, struck a guardrail, traveled to the left and struck the center median wall twice.

EMA transported Kackley to Wesley Medical Center for treatment.&nbsp; She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

CORRECTED 9 a.m. Tuesday to reflect correct condition of the accident victim. The Post News Network apologizes for the error.SEDGWICK COUNTY —One person was hospitalized in an accident just after 8:30a.m. Monday in Sedgwick County.The Kansas. Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Ford Fiesta driven by Makenzie Leigh Kackley, 26, Haysville, was southbound on the Kansas Turnpike just east of Kellogg.&nbsp;The vehicle left the road, struck a guardrail, traveled to the left and struck the center median wall twice.EMA transported Kackley to Wesley Medical Center for treatment.&nbsp; She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

CORRECTED: Kan. woman injured after car strikes turnpike median wall

TOPEKA&nbsp;– For January of Fiscal Year 2021, the State of Kansas saw a nearly 10% performance increase in total tax collections with $795.8 million collected. That is a 12.8%, or $90.2 million, increase from the estimate, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Revenue.

Those collections are $70.4 million, or 9.7%, more than January of Fiscal Year 2020.

“While these numbers look promising, my administration will continue to take a close look at all tax legislation that may come to my desk and keep an eye on the fluctuation of the national economy,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“As I’ve said before, we must continue to promote fiscally-responsible practices that will ensure our state will not only recover from the COVID-19 pandemic but continue to grow.”

Corporate income tax collections were 29.9%, or $6.4 million, more than last fiscal year with $27.7 million collected for the month. That is an 84.9%, or $12.7 million, gain. Individual income tax collections were $457.9 million. That is $57.9 million, or 14.5%, more than the estimate and $49.2 million, or 12.0%, more than the previous January.

The individual income tax category is slightly higher for the end of the month due to the Internal Revenue Service’s delay in processing of tax returns to February 12, 2021. Due to that delay, the state cannot begin to process returns and issue refund checks until that time.

Retail sales tax collections were $3.8 million, or 1.7%, more than the same month of last fiscal year with $224.6 million collected. That is $9.6 million, or 4.5%, more than the estimate. Compensating use tax collections were $64.6 million for January; a $9.6 million increase from the estimate. Those collections are 22.9% or $12.0 million, more than last January.

<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.xpJPCLR2BArzmv6PCH8d3NuanxIh7gi8qpO09KVw5Ho/s/1303160919/br/96925528823-l" target="_blank">Click here to find the revenue numbers</a>

TOPEKA&nbsp;– For January of Fiscal Year 2021, the State of Kansas saw a nearly 10% performance increase in total tax collections with $795.8 million collected. That is a 12.8%, or $90.2 million, increase from the estimate, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Revenue.Those collections are $70.4 million, or 9.7%, more than January of Fiscal Year 2020.“While these numbers look promising, my administration will continue to take a close look at all tax legislation that may come to my desk and keep an eye on the fluctuation of the national economy,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“As I’ve said before, we must continue to promote fiscally-responsible practices that will ensure our state will not only recover from the COVID-19 pandemic but continue to grow.”Corporate income tax collections were 29.9%, or $6.4 million, more than last fiscal year with $27.7 million collected for the month. That is an 84.9%, or $12.7 million, gain. Individual income tax collections were $457.9 million. That is $57.9 million, or 14.5%, more than the estimate and $49.2 million, or 12.0%, more than the previous January.The individual income tax category is slightly higher for the end of the month due to the Internal Revenue Service’s delay in processing of tax returns to February 12, 2021. Due to that delay, the state cannot begin to process returns and issue refund checks until that time.Retail sales tax collections were $3.8 million, or 1.7%, more than the same month of last fiscal year with $224.6 million collected. That is $9.6 million, or 4.5%, more than the estimate. Compensating use tax collections were $64.6 million for January; a $9.6 million increase from the estimate. Those collections are 22.9% or $12.0 million, more than last January.<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.xpJPCLR2BArzmv6PCH8d3NuanxIh7gi8qpO09KVw5Ho/s/1303160919/br/96925528823-l" target="_blank">Click here to find the revenue numbers</a>

Kan. reports 10% increase in total tax collected for January

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal pedestrian accident have identified the victim as 62-year-old Patrick Stramel of Wichita, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.

Just before 7p.m. on Friday, officers responded to an injury accident at North Broadway Avenue and East 11th&nbsp;Street North.&nbsp;

Upon arrival, officers located Stramel in the roadway unresponsive.&nbsp; Sedgwick County EMS and Wichita Fire Department personnel attempted life-saving measures on Stramel, but he was pronounced deceased on the scene.

The investigation revealed that a 20-year-old male was driving a silver Honda Ridge northbound on North Broadway and struck Stramel as Stramel entered the roadway.&nbsp; The 20-year-old was not injured.

Speed and alcohol are not believed to have been factors in the accident, according to Wheeler.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police say a pedestrian died after being hit by a pickup truck as he crossed a Wichita street over the weekend. Police say the incident happened Friday night just north of downtown Wichita.

 Investigators say a 62-year-old man was crossing Broadway at 11th Street when he was hit by a northbound pickup truck driven by a 20-year-old man. 

Police have not released other details of the crash, including the name of the man killed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611973367463.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the fatal pedestrian accident- photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the fatal pedestrian accident- photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal pedestrian accident have identified the victim as 62-year-old Patrick Stramel of Wichita, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.Just before 7p.m. on Friday, officers responded to an injury accident at North Broadway Avenue and East 11th&nbsp;Street North.&nbsp;Upon arrival, officers located Stramel in the roadway unresponsive.&nbsp; Sedgwick County EMS and Wichita Fire Department personnel attempted life-saving measures on Stramel, but he was pronounced deceased on the scene.The investigation revealed that a 20-year-old male was driving a silver Honda Ridge northbound on North Broadway and struck Stramel as Stramel entered the roadway.&nbsp; The 20-year-old was not injured.Speed and alcohol are not believed to have been factors in the accident, according to Wheeler.--------WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police say a pedestrian died after being hit by a pickup truck as he crossed a Wichita street over the weekend. Police say the incident happened Friday night just north of downtown Wichita. Investigators say a 62-year-old man was crossing Broadway at 11th Street when he was hit by a northbound pickup truck driven by a 20-year-old man. Police have not released other details of the crash, including the name of the man killed.

Police ID man who died while crossing street in Wichita 

By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/01/29/kansas-legislators-consider-bills-to-amend-advanced-voting-laws-filling-vacancies/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas 
legislators are weighing a bill limiting who can deliver an advance 
ballot on behalf of another person in an attempt to prevent potential 
“ballot harvesting.”

Ballot harvesting is when a
 third party collects a large number of ballots and submits them to the 
election office. President Donald Trump often pointed to the practice 
among his baseless claims of voter fraud during the 2020 election.

The practice is not 
illegal under state law unless another election crime is committed, such
 as voter fraud. If passed, however, the legislation being considered by
 lawmakers would limit those who may deliver advance ballots on 
another’s behalf to family or a caretaker.

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2054/">The bill</a>
 mirrors legislation introduced during the legislative session last 
year, where it passed out of committee but was never heard by the entire
 body.

Rep. Bill Sutton, 
R-Gardner, said the election went smoothly in Kansas but changes were 
needed to tighten any loopholes in election law.

“We just need to be able 
to affirm to our voters that in Kansas their election is absolutely 
legitimate,” Sutton said. “We saw what happens when, across the country,
 people questioned the legitimacy of their voting.”

Sutton, one of two 
proponents — both state representatives — testified Thursday before the 
House Elections Committee and said the law would prevent any future 
wrongdoing. Opponents who testified said the bill was searching for a 
problem that did not exist and would only open the state to future 
litigation and court costs.

While Sutton said he was 
not aware of any examples of ballot harvesting in Kansas, he compared 
the practice to electioneering, which is banned at polling places. He 
said the law would make it significantly harder to pressure a person 
into voting one way or another.

Rep. Vic Miller, D-Topeka, said it was already a felony to influence someone else to change their vote.

“Are you familiar with 
anyone that wants to take the chance of serving months in prison to 
alter a person’s vote?” Miller asked Sutton. “I’ve never met someone who
 was willing to take that risk for a vote.”

If passed, any violators 
of the proposed election law would be charged with a felony. The 
legislation does not detail who is to be considered family or a 
caregiver.

Kendall Seal, director of 
advocacy for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, said this 
bill was an example of overreach that would merely disenfranchise voters
 and lead to more nonviolent criminals in the criminal justice system.

“This bill makes felons 
out of neighbors helping neighbors,” Seal said. “It will criminalize 
volunteers from community service organizations and nonprofits helping 
to get out the vote.”

Several critics echoed 
Seal’s assertion that the proposed law would suppress the vote. It is 
common practice for disabled people, senior citizens and those lacking 
transportation to seek assistance from a neighbor, friend or others to 
deliver their ballot.

Turning a practice that 
has been legal for decades into a felony would result in many 
law-abiding Kansans having their right to vote stripped and their 
criminal record tarnished, said Davis Hammet, president of Loud Light. 
He said the bill was seeking to address a problem that current election 
law already covers.

“This is really a solution
 in search of a problem, a problem that doesn’t exist here,” Hammet 
said. “So, in essence, it is voter suppression in search of some kind of
 justification. There’s no justification for this.”

The House Elections Committee also heard brief testimony on a <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2051/">second bill altering how vacancies are filled</a> for the positions of the insurance commissioner and state treasurer.

Under current law, if 
either position should become vacant before the end of the specified 
term, the governor would fill that position. This has occurred several 
times in recent Kansas history, as previous treasurers — U.S. Rep. Ron 
Estes, former U.S. Rep Lynn Jenkins and most recently U.S. Rep. Jake 
LaTurner — have left their post to run for Congress.

The proposed change would 
place authority to fill the vacancy into the hands of delegates across 
the state from the party of the departing officeholder.

The bill comes a month after <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/10/kelly-picks-her-lieutenant-governor-to-be-kansas-state-treasurer/">Gov. Laura Kelly chose then-Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers</a>, a Democrat, to fill the vacancy left by LaTurner, a Republican.

Testifying to the 
committee, Kansas Republican Party chairman Mike Kuckelman said the 
measure would better address voter intent than current law does.

“The voters voted for a 
person to occupy the office, but many of us voters do that because of 
the political party, because of what the person stands for, because of 
the agenda,” Kuckelman said.

Rep. Brett Parker, D-Overland Park, believed that mentality to be presumptuous of the voter’s true intent.

“I think it’s true some 
voters vote based on party. I just don’t think we should set policies 
specifically to accommodate one set of voters and not the other,” Parker
 said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1612041441098.png" alt="Rep. Bill Sutton, R-Gardner, testified Thursday on behalf of a bill limiting who may deliver advanced ballots on behalf of another. He said the bill would shore up any murky areas of Kansas election law. (Pool photo by Evert Nelson/Topeka Capital-Journal)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Bill Sutton, R-Gardner, testified Thursday on behalf of a bill limiting who may deliver advanced ballots on behalf of another. He said the bill would shore up any murky areas of Kansas election law. (Pool photo by Evert Nelson/Topeka Capital-Journal)</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOAH TABORDA <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/01/29/kansas-legislators-consider-bills-to-amend-advanced-voting-laws-filling-vacancies/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas 
legislators are weighing a bill limiting who can deliver an advance 
ballot on behalf of another person in an attempt to prevent potential 
“ballot harvesting.”Ballot harvesting is when a
 third party collects a large number of ballots and submits them to the 
election office. President Donald Trump often pointed to the practice 
among his baseless claims of voter fraud during the 2020 election.The practice is not 
illegal under state law unless another election crime is committed, such
 as voter fraud. If passed, however, the legislation being considered by
 lawmakers would limit those who may deliver advance ballots on 
another’s behalf to family or a caretaker.<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2054/">The bill</a>
 mirrors legislation introduced during the legislative session last 
year, where it passed out of committee but was never heard by the entire
 body.Rep. Bill Sutton, 
R-Gardner, said the election went smoothly in Kansas but changes were 
needed to tighten any loopholes in election law.“We just need to be able 
to affirm to our voters that in Kansas their election is absolutely 
legitimate,” Sutton said. “We saw what happens when, across the country,
 people questioned the legitimacy of their voting.”Sutton, one of two 
proponents — both state representatives — testified Thursday before the 
House Elections Committee and said the law would prevent any future 
wrongdoing. Opponents who testified said the bill was searching for a 
problem that did not exist and would only open the state to future 
litigation and court costs.While Sutton said he was 
not aware of any examples of ballot harvesting in Kansas, he compared 
the practice to electioneering, which is banned at polling places. He 
said the law would make it significantly harder to pressure a person 
into voting one way or another.Rep. Vic Miller, D-Topeka, said it was already a felony to influence someone else to change their vote.“Are you familiar with 
anyone that wants to take the chance of serving months in prison to 
alter a person’s vote?” Miller asked Sutton. “I’ve never met someone who
 was willing to take that risk for a vote.”If passed, any violators 
of the proposed election law would be charged with a felony. The 
legislation does not detail who is to be considered family or a 
caregiver.Kendall Seal, director of 
advocacy for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, said this 
bill was an example of overreach that would merely disenfranchise voters
 and lead to more nonviolent criminals in the criminal justice system.“This bill makes felons 
out of neighbors helping neighbors,” Seal said. “It will criminalize 
volunteers from community service organizations and nonprofits helping 
to get out the vote.”Several critics echoed 
Seal’s assertion that the proposed law would suppress the vote. It is 
common practice for disabled people, senior citizens and those lacking 
transportation to seek assistance from a neighbor, friend or others to 
deliver their ballot.Turning a practice that 
has been legal for decades into a felony would result in many 
law-abiding Kansans having their right to vote stripped and their 
criminal record tarnished, said Davis Hammet, president of Loud Light. 
He said the bill was seeking to address a problem that current election 
law already covers.“This is really a solution
 in search of a problem, a problem that doesn’t exist here,” Hammet 
said. “So, in essence, it is voter suppression in search of some kind of
 justification. There’s no justification for this.”The House Elections Committee also heard brief testimony on a <a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/hb2051/">second bill altering how vacancies are filled</a> for the positions of the insurance commissioner and state treasurer.Under current law, if 
either position should become vacant before the end of the specified 
term, the governor would fill that position. This has occurred several 
times in recent Kansas history, as previous treasurers — U.S. Rep. Ron 
Estes, former U.S. Rep Lynn Jenkins and most recently U.S. Rep. Jake 
LaTurner — have left their post to run for Congress.The proposed change would 
place authority to fill the vacancy into the hands of delegates across 
the state from the party of the departing officeholder.The bill comes a month after <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/10/kelly-picks-her-lieutenant-governor-to-be-kansas-state-treasurer/">Gov. Laura Kelly chose then-Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers</a>, a Democrat, to fill the vacancy left by LaTurner, a Republican.Testifying to the 
committee, Kansas Republican Party chairman Mike Kuckelman said the 
measure would better address voter intent than current law does.“The voters voted for a 
person to occupy the office, but many of us voters do that because of 
the political party, because of what the person stands for, because of 
the agenda,” Kuckelman said.Rep. Brett Parker, D-Overland Park, believed that mentality to be presumptuous of the voter’s true intent.“I think it’s true some 
voters vote based on party. I just don’t think we should set policies 
specifically to accommodate one set of voters and not the other,” Parker
 said.

Kan. legislators consider bills to amend advance voting laws, filling vacancies

TOPEKA (AP) —Six women sued top officials of the Kansas Highway Patrol, alleging they discriminated against female employees and created a hostile work environment.

The former and current employees contend in a federal lawsuit filed Friday that the agency violated federal anti-discrimination law, the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment and their First Amendment speech rights.

The Highway Patrol did not immediately return a message Monday seeking comment.

Among the plaintiffs is the former top human resources officer at the agency, Susan Pfannenstiel, who alleges she experienced inappropriate behavior herself and also suffered retribution for helping other women report their allegations.

The women’s lawsuit comes on the heels of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-kansas-topeka-ea6a21654b61364ba05e77a0a80a315e">a lawsuit filed last month&nbsp;</a>by Scott Harrington and Josh Kellerman who allege their own dismissal was retaliation for attempting to help women report the behavior of top officials, including Superintendent Col. Herman Jones.

An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-topeka-1a599c097994a0ac217372433dd055b7">independent investigation last year</a>&nbsp;into complaints of sexual harassment against Jones found them to be unsubstantiated. But the lawsuit alleges that the investigation was improperly handled.

Jones, formerly the Shawnee County sheriff, was appointed by Gov. Laura Kelly in 2019. Kelly has called Jones the “right man for the job” and said at the time that the investigation affirmed her belief.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595516989688.png" alt="KHP Superintendent Col. Herman Jones-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>KHP Superintendent Col. Herman Jones-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA (AP) —Six women sued top officials of the Kansas Highway Patrol, alleging they discriminated against female employees and created a hostile work environment.The former and current employees contend in a federal lawsuit filed Friday that the agency violated federal anti-discrimination law, the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment and their First Amendment speech rights.The Highway Patrol did not immediately return a message Monday seeking comment.Among the plaintiffs is the former top human resources officer at the agency, Susan Pfannenstiel, who alleges she experienced inappropriate behavior herself and also suffered retribution for helping other women report their allegations.The women’s lawsuit comes on the heels of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-kansas-topeka-ea6a21654b61364ba05e77a0a80a315e">a lawsuit filed last month&nbsp;</a>by Scott Harrington and Josh Kellerman who allege their own dismissal was retaliation for attempting to help women report the behavior of top officials, including Superintendent Col. Herman Jones.An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-topeka-1a599c097994a0ac217372433dd055b7">independent investigation last year</a>&nbsp;into complaints of sexual harassment against Jones found them to be unsubstantiated. But the lawsuit alleges that the investigation was improperly handled.Jones, formerly the Shawnee County sheriff, was appointed by Gov. Laura Kelly in 2019. Kelly has called Jones the “right man for the job” and said at the time that the investigation affirmed her belief.

6 workers allege harassment at Kan. Highway Patrol

SALINA—Law enforcement authorities have identified the body found Sunday morning in the yard of a central Salina as that of 38-year-old Cody Espinoza of Salina, according to&nbsp;Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester \

&nbsp;Espinoza's body was found in the front yard of 675 Jaran.

The incident remains under investigation, but the Salina Police Department does not suspect any foul play, Forrester noted.&nbsp;

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a person found in the yard of a central Salina home.

Just after 9:30a.m. Sunday, Police were dispatched to the neighborhood north of East Crawford Street and east of South Ohio after a report of a deceased person in a front yard, according to&nbsp;Sergeant Kyle Tonniges.

Police have released no additional details.

Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1612118485699.jpeg" alt="Police at the scene of the investigation in a yard in central Salina." />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the investigation in a yard in central Salina.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA—Law enforcement authorities have identified the body found Sunday morning in the yard of a central Salina as that of 38-year-old Cody Espinoza of Salina, according to&nbsp;Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester \&nbsp;Espinoza's body was found in the front yard of 675 Jaran.The incident remains under investigation, but the Salina Police Department does not suspect any foul play, Forrester noted.&nbsp;------------SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of a person found in the yard of a central Salina home.Just after 9:30a.m. Sunday, Police were dispatched to the neighborhood north of East Crawford Street and east of South Ohio after a report of a deceased person in a front yard, according to&nbsp;Sergeant Kyle Tonniges.Police have released no additional details.Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

Police ID body of man found in yard of Salina home

TOPEKA — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1,983 to a total of 276,668, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 3,809, an increase of 30.

<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 1,983 to a total of 276,668, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 3,809, an increase of 30.<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/2021/2/1612203295609.png" alt="February 1, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>February 1, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a weekend arrest.&nbsp;

Just after 8a.m. January 30, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2005 Ford Explorer near 150th and P. Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

Deputies arrested the driver identified as Josias Elliot Aitkens, 39, of Mayetta, on a requested charge of criminal possession of a firearm by a felon. 

Aitkens has previous two previous drug convictions and had been out of prison since November of 2018, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612201791362.png" alt="Aitkens-Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Aitkens-Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a weekend arrest.&nbsp;Just after 8a.m. January 30, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2005 Ford Explorer near 150th and P. Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.Deputies arrested the driver identified as Josias Elliot Aitkens, 39, of Mayetta, on a requested charge of criminal possession of a firearm by a felon. Aitkens has previous two previous drug convictions and had been out of prison since November of 2018, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.&nbsp;

Kan. deputy finds felon in possession of a handgun

ATLANTA (AP) — Travelers on airplanes and public transportation like buses and subways will be required to wear face masks starting today to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/Mask-Order-CDC_GMTF_01-29-21-p.pdf">mask-wearing rule late </a>Friday that builds on an order announced Jan. 21 by President Joe Biden.

The rule “will protect Americans and provide confidence that we can once again travel safely even during this pandemic,” said Dr. Marty Cetron, director of CDC’s division of migration and quarantine, who signed the order.

The 11-page&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/Mask-Order-CDC_GMTF_01-29-21-p.pdf" target="_blank">CDC order&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;makes refusal to wear a mask a violation of federal law, enforced by the Transportation Security Administration and other federal, state and local authorities.

<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/Mask-Order-CDC_GMTF_01-29-21-p.pdf">Click here</a> to read the order

The rule applies to passengers on airplanes, trains, subways, buses, taxis and ride-shares. It says travelers must wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth while riding and while getting on and off rides. The order extends to waiting areas such as airports, train platforms and subway stations.

Airlines already require masks and have banned more than 2,000 passengers for refusing to wear one. Flight attendant unions have said a federal rule will make it easier for crews to enforce the requirement.

The order exempts children under 2 years of age and people with a disability that makes it unsafe to wear a mask. Airlines struggled with an exemption for safety and stopped allowing it. The CDC said transportation operators can require medical documentation.

Travelers will be allowed to remove masks while eating or drinking.

The CDC said some face coverings aren’t good enough to comply with the rule. The don’t-travel list includes face shields, bandanas, masks with exhalation valves and masks that are too big or otherwise don’t fit properly.

The CDC said transportation operators may require a negative COVID-19 test from passengers. Cetron said this week that the health agency is considering requiring testing of passengers on flights within the United States, but the airline industry is fighting a testing requirement out of fear that fewer people will fly. U.S. air travel is already down more than 60% from a year ago.

The CDC rule came just over a week after Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-protecting-the-federal-workforce-and-requiring-mask-wearing/" target="_blank">executive order</a>, which already mandated masks on certain modes of public transportation including planes and trains, and it mandated masks on federal property.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611228674924.png" alt="President Biden signed an Executive Order on mask wearing his first day in office-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden signed an Executive Order on mask wearing his first day in office-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>ATLANTA (AP) — Travelers on airplanes and public transportation like buses and subways will be required to wear face masks starting today to curb the spread of COVID-19.The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/Mask-Order-CDC_GMTF_01-29-21-p.pdf">mask-wearing rule late </a>Friday that builds on an order announced Jan. 21 by President Joe Biden.The rule “will protect Americans and provide confidence that we can once again travel safely even during this pandemic,” said Dr. Marty Cetron, director of CDC’s division of migration and quarantine, who signed the order.The 11-page&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/Mask-Order-CDC_GMTF_01-29-21-p.pdf" target="_blank">CDC order&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;makes refusal to wear a mask a violation of federal law, enforced by the Transportation Security Administration and other federal, state and local authorities.<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/Mask-Order-CDC_GMTF_01-29-21-p.pdf">Click here</a> to read the orderThe rule applies to passengers on airplanes, trains, subways, buses, taxis and ride-shares. It says travelers must wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth while riding and while getting on and off rides. The order extends to waiting areas such as airports, train platforms and subway stations.Airlines already require masks and have banned more than 2,000 passengers for refusing to wear one. Flight attendant unions have said a federal rule will make it easier for crews to enforce the requirement.The order exempts children under 2 years of age and people with a disability that makes it unsafe to wear a mask. Airlines struggled with an exemption for safety and stopped allowing it. The CDC said transportation operators can require medical documentation.Travelers will be allowed to remove masks while eating or drinking.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612200579953.png" alt="CDC image" />
 <figcaption>CDC image</figcaption>
 </figure>The CDC said some face coverings aren’t good enough to comply with the rule. The don’t-travel list includes face shields, bandanas, masks with exhalation valves and masks that are too big or otherwise don’t fit properly.The CDC said transportation operators may require a negative COVID-19 test from passengers. Cetron said this week that the health agency is considering requiring testing of passengers on flights within the United States, but the airline industry is fighting a testing requirement out of fear that fewer people will fly. U.S. air travel is already down more than 60% from a year ago.The CDC rule came just over a week after Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-protecting-the-federal-workforce-and-requiring-mask-wearing/" target="_blank">executive order</a>, which already mandated masks on certain modes of public transportation including planes and trains, and it mandated masks on federal property.

Refusal to wear face mask now a federal violation

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and have a suspect in custody.

Just before 1:30p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a robbery and theft of a vehicle at the Kwik Shop, 1414 SW 17th Street in Topeka, according to Lt. Ron Ekis.

Officers quickly located the victim’s vehicle in the 1300 block of SW Western. Officers observed a subject matching the description of the suspect leaving the vehicle and walking into a nearby apartment. 

Officers made contact with the apartment resident, the suspect later identified as 25-year-old Devante Reed-McElroy was located inside the apartment was taken into custody without

Reed-McElroy was booked into Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges including Aggravated Robbery, and Theft of a Motor Vehicle. He was also had a warrant through Shawnee County, according to Ekis.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1612100997503.png" alt="Reed-McElroy-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Reed-McElroy-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and have a suspect in custody.Just before 1:30p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a robbery and theft of a vehicle at the Kwik Shop, 1414 SW 17th Street in Topeka, according to Lt. Ron Ekis.Officers quickly located the victim’s vehicle in the 1300 block of SW Western. Officers observed a subject matching the description of the suspect leaving the vehicle and walking into a nearby apartment. Officers made contact with the apartment resident, the suspect later identified as 25-year-old Devante Reed-McElroy was located inside the apartment was taken into custody withoutReed-McElroy was booked into Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges including Aggravated Robbery, and Theft of a Motor Vehicle. He was also had a warrant through Shawnee County, according to Ekis.

Police: Kansas man jailed for robbery, vehicle theft

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic push to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour has emerged a flashpoint in the fight for a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, testing President Joe Biden’s ability to bridge Washington’s partisan divides as he pursues his first major legislative victory.

Biden called for a $15 hourly minimum wage during his campaign and has followed through by hitching it to a measure that, among other things, calls for $1,400 stimulus checks and $130 billion to help schools reopen. Biden argues that anyone who holds a full-time job shouldn’t live in poverty, echoing progressives in the Democratic Party who are fully on board with the effort.

“With the economic divide, I mean, I want to see a $15 minimum wage. It should actually be $20,” said Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.

Some Republicans support exploring an increase but are uneasy with $15 an hour. They warn that such an increase could lead to job losses in an economy that has nearly 10 million fewer jobs than it did before the pandemic began. Moderates such as Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rep. Tom Reed of New York are urging Biden to split off the minimum wage hike from COVID-19 talks and deal with it separately.

“The more you throw into this bucket of COVID relief that’s not really related to the crisis, the more you risk the credibility with the American people that you’re really sincere about the crisis,” Reed said. Including the wage increase, Murkowski said, “complicates politically an initiative that we should all be working together to address.”

The resistance from moderates has left Democrats with a stark choice: Wait and build bipartisan support for an increase or move ahead with little to no GOP backing, potentially as part of a package that can pass the Senate with Vice President Kamala Harris’ tiebreaking vote.&nbsp;

Biden is set to meet Monday with a group of 10 Republican senators who have proposed spending about one-third of what he is seeking in coronavirus aid.&nbsp;

White House press secretary Jen Psaki says that Biden has spoken with the leader of the group, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine. The invitation to the White House came hours after the lawmakers had sent Biden a letter urging him to negotiate rather than try to ram through his $1.9 trillion package solely on Democratic votes.&nbsp;

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who unveiled $15 wage legislation last week with the backing of 37 Senate Democrats. His bill would gradually raise the wage to $15 over a period of five years. The federal minimum is $7.25 and has not been raised since 2009.

Sanders, the incoming chair of the Senate Budget Committee, said it was fine with him if Republicans were not prepared to “come on board.” He said the government needed to pump money into the economy to make sure “people are not working on starvation wages.”

Democrats are moving toward using a tool that allows certain budget-related items to bypass the Senate filibuster — a hurdle requiring 60 votes — and pass with a simple majority. Sanders is confident that a minimum wage increase fits within the allowed criteria for what is referred to in Washington lingo as budget reconciliation, though the Senate parliamentarian has final say on what qualifies.

“As you will recall, my Republican colleagues used reconciliation to give almost $2 trillion in tax breaks to the rich and large corporations in the midst of massive income inequality. They used reconciliation to try to repeal the Affordable Care Act and throw 32 million people off the health care they had. They used reconciliation to allow for drilling in the Arctic wilderness,” Sanders said. “You know what? I think we can use reconciliation to protect the needs of working families.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the Senate as early as next week will begin taking the first steps toward getting the COVID-19 relief bill passed through the budget reconciliation process. The goal would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-coronavirus-aid-plan-update-d486569860a84de146bf9f27a89eed30">be passage&nbsp;</a>by March.

The latest sign that a $15 minimum wage is popular with voters came in November, when more than 60% of voters in conservative-leaning Florida approved an amendment to the state’s Constitution that will raise the minimum wage there from $8.56 an hour to $15 an hour by 2026.

The House passed legislation to gradually increase the minimum wage in the last Congress, but it went nowhere in the GOP-controlled Senate. Opponents argue that a large increase in the minimum wage would lead many employers to cut the number of workers they have on their payrolls.

A 2019 study from the Congressional Budget Office projected that an increase to $15 an hour would boost the wages of 17 million Americans. An additional 10 million workers making more than $15 an hour would see a boost as well. However, about 1.3 million workers would lose their jobs.

“There’s no question that raising the minimum wage, especially to $15, will put some small businesses out of business and will cost a lot of low-wage workers their jobs,” said Neil Bradley, the chief policy officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Bradley said there should be a separate debate on the minimum wage, and while the U.S. Chamber of Commerce opposes $15 an hour, “we’re open to a reasonable increase in the minimum wage and that ought to be a topic of discussion. But, you know, including that in the COVID package just imperils the whole thing.”

Mary Kay Henry, international president of the Service Employees International Union, said that increasing the minimum wage would benefit many of the people who have been working on the front lines of the pandemic. That’s why she supports including it in the COVID-19 relief package.

“They’ve been called essential, but they all believe they’ve been treated as expendable or sacrificial because they don’t earn enough to be able to put food on the table and keep themselves and their families safe and healthy,” Henry said.

Henry says nursing home workers, janitors, security guards and home health workers are among the union’s 2 million members.

“The real way to appreciate this work is to raise the minimum wage to $15,” she said.

Most states also have minimum wage laws. Employees generally are entitled to the higher of the two minimum wages. Currently, 29 states and Washington, D.C., have minimum wages above the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1612098028729.png" alt=" President Biden is set to meet Monday with a group of 10 Republican senators including Jerry Moran of Kansas who have proposed spending about one-third of what he is seeking in coronavirus aid. Biden boarding Marine One Friday -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption> President Biden is set to meet Monday with a group of 10 Republican senators including Jerry Moran of Kansas who have proposed spending about one-third of what he is seeking in coronavirus aid. Biden boarding Marine One Friday -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Democratic push to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour has emerged a flashpoint in the fight for a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, testing President Joe Biden’s ability to bridge Washington’s partisan divides as he pursues his first major legislative victory.Biden called for a $15 hourly minimum wage during his campaign and has followed through by hitching it to a measure that, among other things, calls for $1,400 stimulus checks and $130 billion to help schools reopen. Biden argues that anyone who holds a full-time job shouldn’t live in poverty, echoing progressives in the Democratic Party who are fully on board with the effort.“With the economic divide, I mean, I want to see a $15 minimum wage. It should actually be $20,” said Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.Some Republicans support exploring an increase but are uneasy with $15 an hour. They warn that such an increase could lead to job losses in an economy that has nearly 10 million fewer jobs than it did before the pandemic began. Moderates such as Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rep. Tom Reed of New York are urging Biden to split off the minimum wage hike from COVID-19 talks and deal with it separately.“The more you throw into this bucket of COVID relief that’s not really related to the crisis, the more you risk the credibility with the American people that you’re really sincere about the crisis,” Reed said. Including the wage increase, Murkowski said, “complicates politically an initiative that we should all be working together to address.”The resistance from moderates has left Democrats with a stark choice: Wait and build bipartisan support for an increase or move ahead with little to no GOP backing, potentially as part of a package that can pass the Senate with Vice President Kamala Harris’ tiebreaking vote.&nbsp;Biden is set to meet Monday with a group of 10 Republican senators who have proposed spending about one-third of what he is seeking in coronavirus aid.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612178813286.png" alt="Letter from Senators to the President-courtesy Senator Susan Collins." />
 <figcaption>Letter from Senators to the President-courtesy Senator Susan Collins.</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612178856708.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>White House press secretary Jen Psaki says that Biden has spoken with the leader of the group, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine. The invitation to the White House came hours after the lawmakers had sent Biden a letter urging him to negotiate rather than try to ram through his $1.9 trillion package solely on Democratic votes.&nbsp;Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who unveiled $15 wage legislation last week with the backing of 37 Senate Democrats. His bill would gradually raise the wage to $15 over a period of five years. The federal minimum is $7.25 and has not been raised since 2009.Sanders, the incoming chair of the Senate Budget Committee, said it was fine with him if Republicans were not prepared to “come on board.” He said the government needed to pump money into the economy to make sure “people are not working on starvation wages.”Democrats are moving toward using a tool that allows certain budget-related items to bypass the Senate filibuster — a hurdle requiring 60 votes — and pass with a simple majority. Sanders is confident that a minimum wage increase fits within the allowed criteria for what is referred to in Washington lingo as budget reconciliation, though the Senate parliamentarian has final say on what qualifies.“As you will recall, my Republican colleagues used reconciliation to give almost $2 trillion in tax breaks to the rich and large corporations in the midst of massive income inequality. They used reconciliation to try to repeal the Affordable Care Act and throw 32 million people off the health care they had. They used reconciliation to allow for drilling in the Arctic wilderness,” Sanders said. “You know what? I think we can use reconciliation to protect the needs of working families.”Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said the Senate as early as next week will begin taking the first steps toward getting the COVID-19 relief bill passed through the budget reconciliation process. The goal would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-coronavirus-aid-plan-update-d486569860a84de146bf9f27a89eed30">be passage&nbsp;</a>by March.The latest sign that a $15 minimum wage is popular with voters came in November, when more than 60% of voters in conservative-leaning Florida approved an amendment to the state’s Constitution that will raise the minimum wage there from $8.56 an hour to $15 an hour by 2026.The House passed legislation to gradually increase the minimum wage in the last Congress, but it went nowhere in the GOP-controlled Senate. Opponents argue that a large increase in the minimum wage would lead many employers to cut the number of workers they have on their payrolls.A 2019 study from the Congressional Budget Office projected that an increase to $15 an hour would boost the wages of 17 million Americans. An additional 10 million workers making more than $15 an hour would see a boost as well. However, about 1.3 million workers would lose their jobs.“There’s no question that raising the minimum wage, especially to $15, will put some small businesses out of business and will cost a lot of low-wage workers their jobs,” said Neil Bradley, the chief policy officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.Bradley said there should be a separate debate on the minimum wage, and while the U.S. Chamber of Commerce opposes $15 an hour, “we’re open to a reasonable increase in the minimum wage and that ought to be a topic of discussion. But, you know, including that in the COVID package just imperils the whole thing.”Mary Kay Henry, international president of the Service Employees International Union, said that increasing the minimum wage would benefit many of the people who have been working on the front lines of the pandemic. That’s why she supports including it in the COVID-19 relief package.“They’ve been called essential, but they all believe they’ve been treated as expendable or sacrificial because they don’t earn enough to be able to put food on the table and keep themselves and their families safe and healthy,” Henry said.Henry says nursing home workers, janitors, security guards and home health workers are among the union’s 2 million members.“The real way to appreciate this work is to raise the minimum wage to $15,” she said.Most states also have minimum wage laws. Employees generally are entitled to the higher of the two minimum wages. Currently, 29 states and Washington, D.C., have minimum wages above the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

$15 minimum wage preventing deal in COVID relief talks

GEARY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Junction City High School athletic trainer for alleged child sex crimes.

Just after 1:30p.m. Friday, the Junction City police arrested&nbsp;Brandon Martino, 29, on two requested charges that included Sexual Exploitation of a child; promoting performance of a a child under the age of 18 and promoting obscenity to minors, according to a media release.

USD 475 also issued a statement on Sunday afternoon. "The mission of Geary County Schools USD 475, is to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s world. The school district is cooperating with local authorities during the investigation of accusations against Mr. Brandon Martino.

Any behavior that jeopardizes the safety and integrity of our students and staff is unacceptable. 

Mr. Martino is suspended from all duties and responsibilities until the completion of the investigation. We will remain diligent in our efforts to provide a safe and caring environment for all USD 475 students and staff. Additionally, we will respect the integrity of the investigation and all involved."

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the police department or leave a tip with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=1216&amp;C=&amp;T=" target="_blank">Crime Stoppers</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1612144654328.png" alt="Martino photo Geary Co." />
 <figcaption>Martino photo Geary Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Junction City High School athletic trainer for alleged child sex crimes.Just after 1:30p.m. Friday, the Junction City police arrested&nbsp;Brandon Martino, 29, on two requested charges that included Sexual Exploitation of a child; promoting performance of a a child under the age of 18 and promoting obscenity to minors, according to a media release.USD 475 also issued a statement on Sunday afternoon. "The mission of Geary County Schools USD 475, is to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s world. The school district is cooperating with local authorities during the investigation of accusations against Mr. Brandon Martino.Any behavior that jeopardizes the safety and integrity of our students and staff is unacceptable. Mr. Martino is suspended from all duties and responsibilities until the completion of the investigation. We will remain diligent in our efforts to provide a safe and caring environment for all USD 475 students and staff. Additionally, we will respect the integrity of the investigation and all involved."Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the police department or leave a tip with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=1216&amp;C=&amp;T=" target="_blank">Crime Stoppers</a>.

Kan. high school athletic trainer accused of child sex crimes

FORD COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Sunday in Ford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Chevy Silverado driven by&nbsp;Gibson, Jeffrey R. Gibson, 46, Dodge City, was southbound on 106 road after crossing south of highway 50. 

The pickup hit a stop sign, jumped the railroad tracks continued south, struck an embankment and flipped over on its roof. 

Gibson was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

FORD COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Sunday in Ford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Chevy Silverado driven by&nbsp;Gibson, Jeffrey R. Gibson, 46, Dodge City, was southbound on 106 road after crossing south of highway 50. The pickup hit a stop sign, jumped the railroad tracks continued south, struck an embankment and flipped over on its roof. Gibson was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

SW Kansas man dies after violent pickup crash

RENO COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary at the Atrium Hotel in Hutchinson and have four people in custody.

Just after 11 a.m. Police responded to the hotel at 1400 North Lorraine in Hutchinson after the keyholder for the property went to check on the building and heard voices inside, according to Hutchinson Police Lt. Jake Graber.

No one had permission to be inside. Arriving officers went inside to search and located four.

Police arrested&nbsp;40-year-old Travis Christian on requested charges of Burglary, Theft, a warrant for Possession of Stolen Property and Possession of Methamphetamine,&nbsp;40-year-old Angela Cole on requested charges of Burglary, Theft and Possession of Methamphetamine

Jesse Villa, 39, is being held on requested charges for Burglary, Theft Possession of Methamphetamine and Felony Interference

Christopher Villela was booked on requested charges for Burglary, Theft, Posession of Methamphetamine and Felony interference.

Police also recovered two vehicles and two firearms as part of the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1612135810499.jpeg" alt="Christian-photo Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>Christian-photo Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary at the Atrium Hotel in Hutchinson and have four people in custody.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1612135790983.jpeg" alt="Cole photo Reno County." />
 <figcaption>Cole photo Reno County.</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 11 a.m. Police responded to the hotel at 1400 North Lorraine in Hutchinson after the keyholder for the property went to check on the building and heard voices inside, according to Hutchinson Police Lt. Jake Graber.No one had permission to be inside. Arriving officers went inside to search and located four.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1612135769444.jpeg" alt="Villa -photo Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>Villa -photo Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Police arrested&nbsp;40-year-old Travis Christian on requested charges of Burglary, Theft, a warrant for Possession of Stolen Property and Possession of Methamphetamine,&nbsp;40-year-old Angela Cole on requested charges of Burglary, Theft and Possession of MethamphetamineJesse Villa, 39, is being held on requested charges for Burglary, Theft Possession of Methamphetamine and Felony Interference<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1612135749684.jpeg" alt="Christopher Villela -Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>Christopher Villela -Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Christopher Villela was booked on requested charges for Burglary, Theft, Posession of Methamphetamine and Felony interference.Police also recovered two vehicles and two firearms as part of the investigation.

Police: 4 jailed for Kansas hotel burglary

NEOSHO COUNTY&nbsp; —One person died in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Sunday in Neosho County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Honda CRV driven by Jessie A. White, 26, Pittsburg, Kansas, was northbound on U.S. 59 two miles north of Kansas 47 highway.

The SUV left the roadway to the left and rolled. The SUV came to rest on the drivers side.

White was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Brenner Mortuary.

EMS transported a passenger&nbsp;Nienstedt, Casey A. Neinstedt, 36, Pittsburg, Kansas, to Labette Health. An 11-year-old passenger identified as Chloe Rowin was not injured.&nbsp; &nbsp;White was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

NEOSHO COUNTY&nbsp; —One person died in an accident just before 7:30p.m. Sunday in Neosho County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Honda CRV driven by Jessie A. White, 26, Pittsburg, Kansas, was northbound on U.S. 59 two miles north of Kansas 47 highway.The SUV left the roadway to the left and rolled. The SUV came to rest on the drivers side.White was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Brenner Mortuary.EMS transported a passenger&nbsp;Nienstedt, Casey A. Neinstedt, 36, Pittsburg, Kansas, to Labette Health. An 11-year-old passenger identified as Chloe Rowin was not injured.&nbsp; &nbsp;White was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after SUV rollover crash

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after a weekend traffic stop.

Just after 9:30a.m. Saturday,&nbsp; a sheriff’s deputy stopped a Pontiac G6 for a traffic infraction near 198th and R.4 Roads south of Holton, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

A drug detecting K-9 was deployed around the vehicle and indicated positive for narcotics. A substance believed to be methamphetamine was seized from the vehicle. The driver identified as Brent Anthony Haverkamp, 31, of Denison,  was arrested on requested charges that include possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Morse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612179817475.png" alt="Haverkamp photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Haverkamp photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after a weekend traffic stop.Just after 9:30a.m. Saturday,&nbsp; a sheriff’s deputy stopped a Pontiac G6 for a traffic infraction near 198th and R.4 Roads south of Holton, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.A drug detecting K-9 was deployed around the vehicle and indicated positive for narcotics. A substance believed to be methamphetamine was seized from the vehicle. The driver identified as Brent Anthony Haverkamp, 31, of Denison, was arrested on requested charges that include possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Morse.

Sheriff's K9 assists deputy in arrest of Kansas drug suspect

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City man was charged in a 2019 robbery and killing of an apparent stranger who was walking home from his bus stop.

Douglas Griffin, 27, was charged with second-degree murder in the November 2019 death of David Como, Jackson County prosecutors announced Friday. He was also charged with first-degree robbery and two counts of armed criminal action.

Prosecutors matched DNA from the back pocket of Como's pants to Griffin's DNA, prosecutors said.

Griffin was in custody on an unrelated robbery in October when he was questioned about Como's death. He told detectives he reached into Como's pocket to get his wallet but another person shot Como, prosecutors said.

After the interview, Griffin was returned to the Jackson County jail where he called several people, including his mother. He allegedly admitted to his mother that he participated in the killing.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1612027487112.png" alt="Griffin photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Griffin photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City man was charged in a 2019 robbery and killing of an apparent stranger who was walking home from his bus stop.Douglas Griffin, 27, was charged with second-degree murder in the November 2019 death of David Como, Jackson County prosecutors announced Friday. He was also charged with first-degree robbery and two counts of armed criminal action.Prosecutors matched DNA from the back pocket of Como's pants to Griffin's DNA, prosecutors said.Griffin was in custody on an unrelated robbery in October when he was questioned about Como's death. He told detectives he reached into Como's pocket to get his wallet but another person shot Como, prosecutors said.After the interview, Griffin was returned to the Jackson County jail where he called several people, including his mother. He allegedly admitted to his mother that he participated in the killing.

Man charged in death of stranger during KC robbery

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 11p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to meet with an individual who was driving to a Topeka hospital after being shot, according to Lt. Kelvin Johnson.

Once treated at the hospital, the victim was considered to have non-life threatening injuries. Investigators learned that the victim had been shot after an altercation with a known person and officers were able to locate a crime scene in the 1100 block of SW Clay in TOpeka.

Police also located the suspect identified as 45-year-old Jaryl Wilson of Topeka.&nbsp; Officers brought him to the law enforcement center to be interviewed. At the conclusion of the interview, police booked Wilson into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a requested charge of Aggravated Battery, according to Johnson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1612040877669.png" alt="Wilson photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Wilson photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and have a suspect in custody.Just after 11p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to meet with an individual who was driving to a Topeka hospital after being shot, according to Lt. Kelvin Johnson.Once treated at the hospital, the victim was considered to have non-life threatening injuries. Investigators learned that the victim had been shot after an altercation with a known person and officers were able to locate a crime scene in the 1100 block of SW Clay in TOpeka.Police also located the suspect identified as 45-year-old Jaryl Wilson of Topeka.&nbsp; Officers brought him to the law enforcement center to be interviewed. At the conclusion of the interview, police booked Wilson into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a requested charge of Aggravated Battery, according to Johnson.

Police meet Kan. shooting victim at hospital, make arrest

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Prosecutors have dropped trespassing charges against an activist who helped secretly record&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/iowa">Iowa</a>’s largest pork producer using heat to kill thousands of hogs last year as the pandemic devastated the industry.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611941435232.png" alt="Matt Johnson photo courtesy <a href="https://www.facebook.com/directactioneverywhere/">Direct Action Everywhere</a>" />
 <figcaption>Matt Johnson photo courtesy <a href="https://www.facebook.com/directactioneverywhere/">Direct Action Everywhere</a></figcaption>
 </figure>IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Prosecutors have dropped trespassing charges against an activist who helped secretly record&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/iowa">Iowa</a>’s largest pork producer using heat to kill thousands of hogs last year as the pandemic devastated the industry.Matt Johnson, an activist with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/directactioneverywhere/">the group Direct Action Everywhere,</a> had been scheduled to stand trial in Grundy County, Iowa, on Monday on two counts of trespassing at Iowa Select Farms properties in May.County prosecutors moved to dismiss the charges Thursday at the request of Iowa Select, whose personnel had been subpoenaed but said they didn't wish to testify, court documents show.“We cannot be distracted by individuals who choose to break the law and grandstand,” Iowa Select spokeswoman Jen Sorenson said Friday.Johnson was planning a necessity defense, arguing that his actions were lawful because they were the only way to expose the inhumane treatment of animals. He was hoping to draw more attention to the company's use of a method known as ventilation shutdown to cut the size of its herd in May.Johnson had acknowledged, however, that his defense was likely to fail and that he could face fines or jail time if convicted.Iowa Select's animals are raised and sent to be slaughtered by Tyson Foods and other meatpackers, and they end up in grocery stores as bacon and pork under several brand names. The company is an influential backer of Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds.Last spring, some producers said they had no choice but to euthanize hogs after coronavirus outbreaks at meatpacking plants led to closures and production slowdowns. They said they had no markets to sell them and ran out of space to house them.One of the methods they used to trim herds was ventilation shutdown, which involves stopping airflow inside a facility to raise the temperature high enough to kill animals inside.American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines say the method should be a last resort after others are ruled out, that it should be done quickly enough to kill 95% of the animals within an hour, and that all must be eventually killed.Acting on a tip from a whistleblower, a team of activists that included Johnson placed equipment inside an Iowa Select barn and recorded audio of pigs shrieking, some for hours, as the temperature rose and killed many of them.They also captured video showing workers hours later walking through the pile of animals and shooting those showing signs of life with a bolt gun. Then, they used heavy machinery to remove the carcasses.Johnson said that his investigation has found some of Iowa Select’s own employees dissented from the practice, a claim he wanted to explore at trial.“This company knows that the public ... is horrified to learn what ISF is willing to do in the name of profit,” he said. “They’re desperate to conceal their abhorrent and criminal conduct.”Johnson said that activists snuck in and placed a wireless home security camera in the barn that they could control remotely as well as an audio recorder that they were able to retrieve the next day.Johnson, an Iowa native who now lives in Berkeley,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/california">California</a>, was charged with trespassing after returning to the farm and confronting Iowa Select chief operations officer Noel Williams about the practice. He faced a second trespassing charge related to an incident days later on a different property.Iowa Select blasted Johnson and other activists at the time, saying they were trying to exploit the coronavirus crisis to advance their agenda. In June, after The Intercept published some of the material captured by activists, the company announced that it had discontinued the practice as the industry rebounded.“We are cautiously optimistic that we will never again have to face a difficult decision like we had to face last month,” the company said then.Johnson said that before the practice was exposed, a whistleblower alleged the company had been planning to kill more hogs through ventilation shutdown.Johnson still faces more serious charges in Wright County, where he is charged with placing recording equipment inside another Iowa Select barn and taking a piglet that he says he rescued from slaughter. He is charged with electronic eavesdropping and third-degree burglary, which are both felonies, and is awaiting trial.