Snow is in the forecast Sunday evening and all day Monday.

Garry Berges, Geary County Emergency Management Director, noted that in a webinar Saturday afternoon the National Weather Service predicted 5-9 inches of snow in the immediate area. "It's going to start as snow mainly here in Geary County, but the further south you go it could be a wintry mix, mainly starting out as rain and then switching over to snow. "

The storm system is expected to move through beginning Sunday evening and continue through Monday, with the heaviest snow falling during the daylight hours on Monday.&nbsp;

Berges said people to make sure if they are traveling anywhere that their car is gassed up,&nbsp; You should try to take care of that before the storm starts. "Once the stuff starts coming down be real cautious if you're out because city, county and state crews are going to be out treating the roads. Give them plenty of room."

Berges noted that visibility is probably going to be down and your vehicle stopping distance will be longer. "The good thing is this is going to be a wet snow. Temperatures are going to be in the upper 20's, lower 30's. That's why we could get a wintery mix." He added that the Weather Service forecast winds at 15-20 mph, which is not expected to cause a big problem with drifting snow. "That all depends. The front could shift this farther north faster or go south, it's hard to tell. "

The Weather Service will conduct another webinar Sunday afternoon for emergency management and law enforcement personnel to give a clearer picture of what can be expected.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch.

Marshall-Nemaha-Brown-Clay-Riley-Pottawatomie-Jackson-Jefferson-
Dickinson-Geary-Morris-Wabaunsee-Shawnee-
Including the cities of Marysville, Blue Rapids, Frankfort,
Sabetha, Seneca, Hiawatha, Horton, Clay Center, Manhattan,
Wamego, St. Marys, Holton, Valley Falls, Oskaloosa, Perry,
McLouth, Grantville, Meriden, Nortonville, Abilene, Herington,
Junction City, Council Grove, Alma, Eskridge, Maple Hill,
Alta Vista, McFarland, Harveyville, Paxico, and Topeka 

WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE SUNDAY NIGHT
THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow
 accumulations of 5 to 9 inches could fall along and north of
 an Abilene to Holton line. Varying snow totals from a trace to
 a few inches will be focused generally south of this line. Ice
 accumulations of around one tenth of an inch will also be
 possible especially before the start of any snow.

* WHERE...Portions of central, east central, north central and
 northeast Kansas.

* WHEN...From late Sunday night through Monday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous
 conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611446500590.jpeg" alt="NWS released this information on Saturday afternoon." />
 <figcaption>NWS released this information on Saturday afternoon.</figcaption>
 </figure>Snow is in the forecast Sunday evening and all day Monday.Garry Berges, Geary County Emergency Management Director, noted that in a webinar Saturday afternoon the National Weather Service predicted 5-9 inches of snow in the immediate area. "It's going to start as snow mainly here in Geary County, but the further south you go it could be a wintry mix, mainly starting out as rain and then switching over to snow. "The storm system is expected to move through beginning Sunday evening and continue through Monday, with the heaviest snow falling during the daylight hours on Monday.&nbsp;Berges said people to make sure if they are traveling anywhere that their car is gassed up,&nbsp; You should try to take care of that before the storm starts. "Once the stuff starts coming down be real cautious if you're out because city, county and state crews are going to be out treating the roads. Give them plenty of room."Berges noted that visibility is probably going to be down and your vehicle stopping distance will be longer. "The good thing is this is going to be a wet snow. Temperatures are going to be in the upper 20's, lower 30's. That's why we could get a wintery mix." He added that the Weather Service forecast winds at 15-20 mph, which is not expected to cause a big problem with drifting snow. "That all depends. The front could shift this farther north faster or go south, it's hard to tell. "The Weather Service will conduct another webinar Sunday afternoon for emergency management and law enforcement personnel to give a clearer picture of what can be expected.--The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch.Marshall-Nemaha-Brown-Clay-Riley-Pottawatomie-Jackson-Jefferson-
Dickinson-Geary-Morris-Wabaunsee-Shawnee-
Including the cities of Marysville, Blue Rapids, Frankfort,
Sabetha, Seneca, Hiawatha, Horton, Clay Center, Manhattan,
Wamego, St. Marys, Holton, Valley Falls, Oskaloosa, Perry,
McLouth, Grantville, Meriden, Nortonville, Abilene, Herington,
Junction City, Council Grove, Alma, Eskridge, Maple Hill,
Alta Vista, McFarland, Harveyville, Paxico, and Topeka WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE SUNDAY NIGHT
THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow
 accumulations of 5 to 9 inches could fall along and north of
 an Abilene to Holton line. Varying snow totals from a trace to
 a few inches will be focused generally south of this line. Ice
 accumulations of around one tenth of an inch will also be
 possible especially before the start of any snow.

* WHERE...Portions of central, east central, north central and
 northeast Kansas.

* WHEN...From late Sunday night through Monday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous
 conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.&nbsp;

Snow could be headed our way

DODGE CITY, Kan. - The Junction City Blue Jays fell to the #8 ranked team in Kansas Class 5A, Bishop Carroll on Saturday, 61-46.

JC lead 10-9 at the midway point of the first quarter, but Carroll would close the period on a 10-0 run and would not relinquish it.&nbsp;

Junction City was lead by a game-high 23 points from Chris Dixon, who earned a nod in the Dodge City Tournament of Champions All-Tournament Team, along with Terrence Tedder. Tedder added 5 points, with 5 more coming from Michael Boganowski in his first varsity action of the season.

Junction City finished as the runner-up in the T.O.C. after defeating Dodge City 52-48 on Thursday.&nbsp;

JCHS will host Topeka West on Tuesday with the girls beginning at 6 p.m. and the boys following at 7:45.&nbsp;

DODGE CITY, Kan. - The Junction City Blue Jays fell to the #8 ranked team in Kansas Class 5A, Bishop Carroll on Saturday, 61-46.JC lead 10-9 at the midway point of the first quarter, but Carroll would close the period on a 10-0 run and would not relinquish it.&nbsp;Junction City was lead by a game-high 23 points from Chris Dixon, who earned a nod in the Dodge City Tournament of Champions All-Tournament Team, along with Terrence Tedder. Tedder added 5 points, with 5 more coming from Michael Boganowski in his first varsity action of the season.Junction City finished as the runner-up in the T.O.C. after defeating Dodge City 52-48 on Thursday.&nbsp;JCHS will host Topeka West on Tuesday with the girls beginning at 6 p.m. and the boys following at 7:45.&nbsp;

JCHS Falls to Bishop Carroll

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. - The Junction City Lady Jay basketball team bounced back from Thursday night's loss at Shawnee Mission South on Friday, defeating the Shawnee Mission North Indians 51-42.&nbsp;

After trailing 8-6 at the end of the first quarter, JC drew even with the Indians at halftime, tied at 19. In the second half, the Blue Jays would strike, outscoring SM North 17-10 in the third quarter, reaching leads as large as 13 points.&nbsp;

In the fourth, the Lady Jays would outscore the Indians 15-13, snapping a three-game losing streak with a 9-point victory inside Shenk Gym.&nbsp;

Junction City was lead by a career performance from Senior Mellana Davis, who tallied 26 points. Lucy Rivera added 17 points, with 6 from Dorian Robinson, and 2 from Andrea Davis.&nbsp;

Junction City will be back in action on Tuesday, January 26 against Centennial League rival Topeka West. Tip-off will be at 6 p.m. for the Lady Jays, with the boys to follow at 7:45.&nbsp;

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. - The Junction City Lady Jay basketball team bounced back from Thursday night's loss at Shawnee Mission South on Friday, defeating the Shawnee Mission North Indians 51-42.&nbsp;After trailing 8-6 at the end of the first quarter, JC drew even with the Indians at halftime, tied at 19. In the second half, the Blue Jays would strike, outscoring SM North 17-10 in the third quarter, reaching leads as large as 13 points.&nbsp;In the fourth, the Lady Jays would outscore the Indians 15-13, snapping a three-game losing streak with a 9-point victory inside Shenk Gym.&nbsp;Junction City was lead by a career performance from Senior Mellana Davis, who tallied 26 points. Lucy Rivera added 17 points, with 6 from Dorian Robinson, and 2 from Andrea Davis.&nbsp;Junction City will be back in action on Tuesday, January 26 against Centennial League rival Topeka West. Tip-off will be at 6 p.m. for the Lady Jays, with the boys to follow at 7:45.&nbsp;

Lady Jays defeat SM North

Geary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges announced on Friday that the Health Department has begun receiving limited amounts of COVID-19 vaccine. A planning team met Friday to prioritize those eligible in Phase Two wishing to receive the vaccine. Only 300 doses were received in Geary County for phase two.

As we begin to move into Phase 2 of vaccine prioritization, we have begun working with local organizations categorized by the state as high-contact Critical Workers. This category includes law enforcement, firefighters, Community Corrections, USD 475 employees, as well as reaching out to people over 65 who have called to be put on the list or have signed up on our website to receive the vaccine.

We are receiving the Moderna vaccine, which comes in 10 dose vials. Once this vaccine is thawed and we begin using a vial, we must use all ten doses within six hours. For this reason, we are scheduling people to ensure we use all the vaccines to prevent any from going to waste. We have reached out to people who meet the Phase 2 criteria so we can meet the requirements to ensure the use of all vaccines. We have begun a back-up list of people who can respond at a moment’s notice to receive the vaccine in the event someone doesn’t show up, or we get more than ten doses out of a vial.

We know that everyone is eager to receive the vaccine, and we are working to ensure that everyone has a chance to receive the vaccine as soon as possible. Once the county begins receiving more than a couple hundred doses a week, we will begin the next phase of opening up vaccination for larger groups in a location that can accommodate several hundred people at a time. Planning continues for potential mass vaccination locations, should we receive the amount of vaccine that is needed for Geary County.

To sign up to receive the vaccine go to the Geary County Health Department Facebook page or the Geary County website&nbsp;www.gearycounty.org under the COVID 19 page.

Geary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges announced on Friday that the Health Department has begun receiving limited amounts of COVID-19 vaccine. A planning team met Friday to prioritize those eligible in Phase Two wishing to receive the vaccine. Only 300 doses were received in Geary County for phase two.Berges stated, "As we begin to move into Phase 2 of vaccine prioritization, we have begun working with local organizations categorized by the state as high-contact Critical Workers. This category includes law enforcement, firefighters, Community Corrections, USD 475 employees, as well as reaching out to people over 65 who have called to be put on the list or have signed up on our website to receive the vaccine.We are receiving the Moderna vaccine, which comes in 10 dose vials. Once this vaccine is thawed and we begin using a vial, we must use all ten doses within six hours. For this reason, we are scheduling people to ensure we use all the vaccines to prevent any from going to waste. We have reached out to people who meet the Phase 2 criteria so we can meet the requirements to ensure the use of all vaccines. We have begun a back-up list of people who can respond at a moment’s notice to receive the vaccine in the event someone doesn’t show up, or we get more than ten doses out of a vial.We know that everyone is eager to receive the vaccine, and we are working to ensure that everyone has a chance to receive the vaccine as soon as possible. Once the county begins receiving more than a couple hundred doses a week, we will begin the next phase of opening up vaccination for larger groups in a location that can accommodate several hundred people at a time. Planning continues for potential mass vaccination locations, should we receive the amount of vaccine that is needed for Geary County.To sign up to receive the vaccine go to the Geary County Health Department Facebook page or the Geary County website&nbsp;www.gearycounty.org under the COVID 19 page.

Health Department receives limited amounts of COVID-19 vaccine

High 40°	Partly sunny in the morning, then cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs around 40. southeast winds 10 to 15 mph.

High 40°	Partly sunny in the morning, then cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs around 40. southeast winds 10 to 15 mph.

Saturday weather forecast

Fort Riley officials conducted a controlled grassland burn on their training on Friday. It resulted in smoke filling the sky throughout the Junction City area.

Garry Berges, Geary County Emergency Management Director, said the controlled burn covered several training areas. "Because of the temperature and lack of wind the smoke stayed low to the ground. "

Multiple calls were received via 911, and also at the Sheriff's Department, Junction City Police Department and the Geary County Emergency Management. "We confirmed it all came from Fort Riley. The smoke was even seen as far away as Enterprise, which is about 20 miles."

Berges confirmed the smoke was expected to drift on out of the area Friday evening. He stated that he thought about 16-hundred acres were burned on post during the controlled burn. "It was all grassland out on the range. It was a controlled burn done by Fort Riley."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611360266957.jpeg" alt="Smoke hovered over I-70 Friday afternoon" />
 <figcaption>Smoke hovered over I-70 Friday afternoon</figcaption>
 </figure>Fort Riley officials conducted a controlled grassland burn on their training on Friday. It resulted in smoke filling the sky throughout the Junction City area.Garry Berges, Geary County Emergency Management Director, said the controlled burn covered several training areas. "Because of the temperature and lack of wind the smoke stayed low to the ground. "Multiple calls were received via 911, and also at the Sheriff's Department, Junction City Police Department and the Geary County Emergency Management. "We confirmed it all came from Fort Riley. The smoke was even seen as far away as Enterprise, which is about 20 miles."Berges confirmed the smoke was expected to drift on out of the area Friday evening. He stated that he thought about 16-hundred acres were burned on post during the controlled burn. "It was all grassland out on the range. It was a controlled burn done by Fort Riley."

Fort Riley controlled burn fills the Junction City area with smoke

There was a 16% reduction in both property and violent crimes in Junction City in 2020. Police Chief John Lamb cited the positive direction for the city. "The main driver four our violent crime is aggravated battery. And we saw a 20% decrease in that throughout the year. That's why a lot of the violent crime has dropped. " Lamb noted that there was a slight increase in rape cases and a couple more murder cases than the previous year.

Lamb stated, "On property crime the biggest driver is theft, burglaries and we saw a 49% drop in that so we're really excited, the direction we're going."

The police chief noted that there was a spike in domestic violence at the beginning of the pandemic but that leveled out near the end of the year. "So it wasn't significant to the point that it really caused alarm or drove the numbers in the wrong direction so we did see a little bit of an increase like in violence and some alcohol violations. " 

Lamb added there were more DUI arrests and cases this year although it's not clear if that is related to COVID-19.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611342582807.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>There was a 16% reduction in both property and violent crimes in Junction City in 2020. Police Chief John Lamb cited the positive direction for the city. "The main driver four our violent crime is aggravated battery. And we saw a 20% decrease in that throughout the year. That's why a lot of the violent crime has dropped. " Lamb noted that there was a slight increase in rape cases and a couple more murder cases than the previous year.Lamb stated, "On property crime the biggest driver is theft, burglaries and we saw a 49% drop in that so we're really excited, the direction we're going."The police chief noted that there was a spike in domestic violence at the beginning of the pandemic but that leveled out near the end of the year. "So it wasn't significant to the point that it really caused alarm or drove the numbers in the wrong direction so we did see a little bit of an increase like in violence and some alcohol violations. " Lamb added there were more DUI arrests and cases this year although it's not clear if that is related to COVID-19.

Police Chief discusses the 2020 crime statistics

Officials with the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging (NC-FH AAA) announced today that Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) grant funds provided by the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation are now available to income eligible tenants who rent their homes.

The Agency received a $100,000 grant award to help low-income Kansans who live in north-central Kansas with security and utility deposits. Kansans in these counties are eligible to apply: Chase, Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Geary, Jewell, Lincoln, Marion, Mitchell, Morris, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Republic, Riley, Saline, Wabaunsee.

Flint Hills Housing Assistance, a program of the Agency, is now accepting applications for the TBRA funds. Applications are available at ncfhaaa.com website or by calling 1-800-432-2703.

Officials with the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging (NC-FH AAA) announced today that Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) grant funds provided by the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation are now available to income eligible tenants who rent their homes.The Agency received a $100,000 grant award to help low-income Kansans who live in north-central Kansas with security and utility deposits. Kansans in these counties are eligible to apply: Chase, Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Geary, Jewell, Lincoln, Marion, Mitchell, Morris, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Republic, Riley, Saline, Wabaunsee.Flint Hills Housing Assistance, a program of the Agency, is now accepting applications for the TBRA funds. Applications are available at ncfhaaa.com website or by calling 1-800-432-2703.

Grant funds are available for income eligible tenants

Geary County Commissioner Trish Giordano has been elected to serve on the executive board of the Flint Hills Regional Council. She will fill a vacant position until the next election.

The Ccuncil held a meeting via Zoom Friday morning. Multiple area counties and cities including Junction City and Geary County are represented on the council.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611335986126.jpeg" alt="Trish Giordano" />
 <figcaption>Trish Giordano</figcaption>
 </figure>Geary County Commissioner Trish Giordano has been elected to serve on the executive board of the Flint Hills Regional Council. She will fill a vacant position until the next election.The Ccuncil held a meeting via Zoom Friday morning. Multiple area counties and cities including Junction City and Geary County are represented on the council.

Giordano will fill a position on the Flint Hills Regional Council Executive Board

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. Courtesy photos.

Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.

Kaitlin Amidon, Unlawful damage to property, Arrested 1/21

Justin Issac, Domestic battery, Arrested 1/21

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. Courtesy photos.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611335158905.jpeg" alt="Amy Cohen, Domestic battery, Arrested 1/21" />
 <figcaption>Amy Cohen, Domestic battery, Arrested 1/21</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611335201562.jpeg" alt="Shelby Keogh Arrested by LEO; warrant arrest, Arrested 1/21" />
 <figcaption>Shelby Keogh Arrested by LEO; warrant arrest, Arrested 1/21</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611335243083.jpeg" alt="Devonte Joseph, Probation violation, Arrested 1/21" />
 <figcaption>Devonte Joseph, Probation violation, Arrested 1/21</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611335290678.jpeg" alt="Donte Sigar, Interference with LEO, Taxation; drugs; no drug tax stamp payment for marijuana or controlled substance, Possession of marijuna, Use / possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Arrested 1/21" />
 <figcaption>Donte Sigar, Interference with LEO, Taxation; drugs; no drug tax stamp payment for marijuana or controlled substance, Possession of marijuna, Use / possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, Arrested 1/21</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Kaitlin Amidon, Unlawful damage to property, Arrested 1/21Justin Issac, Domestic battery, Arrested 1/21Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. Courtesy photos.

Geary County Friday Booking Photos

Junction City defeated Dodge City 52-48 in the semifinals of the Tournament of Champions in Dodge City Thursday evening. The Blue Jays will meet Bishop Carroll in the championship game at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Bishop Carroll advanced to the title game with a 64-45 win over Goddard Eisenhower.

Goddard Eisenhower and Dodge City play in the third place consolation game at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Junction City defeated Dodge City 52-48 in the semifinals of the Tournament of Champions in Dodge City Thursday evening. The Blue Jays will meet Bishop Carroll in the championship game at 3 p.m. Saturday.Bishop Carroll advanced to the title game with a 64-45 win over Goddard Eisenhower.Goddard Eisenhower and Dodge City play in the third place consolation game at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Blue Jays advance to tournament championship game

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Miles McBride scored 18 points to help No. 14 West Virginia beat Kansas State 69-47 on Saturday in the Mountaineers’ first game in two weeks because of COVID-19 protocols.

 Jalen Bridges added 12 points and Taz Sherman had 10 for West Virginia. Mike McGuirl led Kansas State with 15 points, and Selton Miguel had 10. The Wildcats had 28 turnovers, the most by a Big 12 team this season and the most in a game under coach Bruce Weber. West Virginia scored 26 points off those mistakes. The Wildcats got within eight points in the second half, but Sherman hit a two 3-pointers in an 8-0 run for West Virginia.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Miles McBride scored 18 points to help No. 14 West Virginia beat Kansas State 69-47 on Saturday in the Mountaineers’ first game in two weeks because of COVID-19 protocols. Jalen Bridges added 12 points and Taz Sherman had 10 for West Virginia. Mike McGuirl led Kansas State with 15 points, and Selton Miguel had 10. The Wildcats had 28 turnovers, the most by a Big 12 team this season and the most in a game under coach Bruce Weber. West Virginia scored 26 points off those mistakes. The Wildcats got within eight points in the second half, but Sherman hit a two 3-pointers in an 8-0 run for West Virginia.

West Virginia defeats Kansas State at Bramlage Coliseum

Central (St. Joseph), Mo. 42, Washburn Rural 39

Hutchinson Central Christian 44, Pretty Prairie 35

BOYS PREP BASKETBALL=Cair Paravel 74, Burlingame 65Deerfield 62, Rolla 43Elyria Christian 56, Marion 41Girard 77, Neodesha 43Jefferson North 51, Atchison County 25Lawrence Free State 60, SM East 47Liberal 43, Concordia 42Logan/Palco 71, Lakeside 49Madison/Hamilton 61, Hartford 22Nevada, Mo. 58, Fort Scott 30Northern Valley 82, Weskan 33Peabody-Burns 54, Herington 40Perry-Lecompton 71, Pleasant Ridge 65Solomon 69, Rural Vista 38St. John's Beloit-Tipton 54, Natoma 51Wakefield 59, Centre 43Wheatland-Grinnell 56, Western Plains 41Baldwin Invitational Tournament=Augusta 66, KC Bishop Ward 37Basehor-Linwood Tournament=Fifth Place=Central (St. Joseph), Mo. 42, Washburn Rural 39First Place=BV Northwest 68, Basehor-Linwood 43Third Place=Olathe West 57, KC Piper 48Burlington Tournament=Fifth Place=Burlington 55, Ottawa 39Burrton Tournament=Fifth Place=Hutchinson Central Christian 44, Pretty Prairie 35Seventh Place=Goessel 63, Burrton 13Canton-Galva Tournament=Consolation Semifinal=Bennington 65, Ell-Saline 50Wichita Home School 82, Bluestem 30Chanute Tournament=Consolation=Carthage, Mo. 79, Coffeyville 30Semifinal=SM South 63, Emporia 36Wichita Campus 87, Wichita Life Prep 46Chaparral Tournament=Pool A=Mulvane 55, Circle 31Pool B=Arkansas City 65, Chaparral 48Colby Tournament=Consolation Semifinal=Goodland 53, Ulysses 47Semifinal=Colby 55, Beloit 41Hays 64, Garden City 42Cunningham 54 Classic Tournament=Consolation Semifinal=Cunningham 50, South Barber 43Semifinal=Norwich 57, Pratt Skyline 56Halstead Tournament=Semifinal=Cheney 65, Minneapolis 26Haven 55, Rose Hill 42Hi-Plains League Tournament=Consolation=Wichita County 54, Stanton County 24Semifinal=Lakin 63, Sublette 30Southwestern Hts. 46, Syracuse 43Hillsboro Tournament=Hesston 66, Eureka 28Holcomb 56, Clay Center 44Republic County 52, Remington 46, 2OTHoisington Tournament=Consolation Semifinal=Cimarron 79, Otis-Bison 41Semifinal=Hoisington 50, Ellsworth 46MCL Tournament=Semifinal=Hoxie 69, Hays-TMP-Marian 58Trego 56, Ellis 50NWKL Tournament=Consolation Semifinal=Wallace County 59, Rawlins County 48Semifinal=Ness City 43, St. Francis 38Quinter 52, Greeley County 40Royal Valley Tournament=Royal Valley 66, Wabaunsee 17Santa Fe Trail 65, Chapman 58Salina Invitational Tournament=Consolation Semifinal=Salina Central 47, Wichita South 43Semifinal=Andover 80, Buhler 56St. John Tournament=Consolation Semifinal=Macksville 56, Central Plains 51Sterling Invitational Tournament=Fifth Place=Southeast Saline 56, Scott City 16First Place=Hugoton 73, Hutchinson Trinity 60Seventh Place=Smoky Valley 60, Kingman 49Third Place=Lyons 41, Sterling 27Topeka Tournament=Consolation Semifinal=Topeka Hayden 48, Topeka 45Topeka West 67, Highland Park 57Semifinal=Lansing 72, Wichita East 58Wichita Southeast 58, SM North 36TVL Tournament=Consolation Semifinal=Doniphan West 47, Onaga 26Frankfort 51, Wetmore 41Consolation=Axtell 50, Valley Heights 39Semifinal=Clifton-Clyde def. Centralia, forfeitHanover 56, Troy 51Valley Center Invitational=Maize 53, Wichita Heights 47Valley Center Tournament=Wichita Northwest 84, Wichita North 35POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS=Hillsboro vs. Riley County, ccd.GIRLS PREP BASKETBALL=Andale 45, Wellington 37Andover Central 61, Hutchinson 27Bluestem 35, Bennington 32Burlingame 50, Cair Paravel 23Cheney 65, Minneapolis 26Derby 36, Maize 24Elyria Christian 41, Marion 29Fredonia 44, Chetopa 31Garden Plain 60, Ell-Saline 31Girard 58, Neodesha 40Heritage Christian 45, Oswego 35Hiawatha 50, Rossville 46Little River 47, Herington 41Madison/Hamilton 45, Hartford 40Maur Hill - Mount Academy 55, Maranatha Academy 46Notre Dame de Sion, Mo. 41, BV Southwest 31Osawatomie 55, Pleasanton 35Sedan 39, West Elk 26Solomon 52, Rural Vista 19Topeka Hayden 79, Highland Park 26Topeka Seaman 48, Topeka West 45Valley Center 42, Arkansas City 20Wakefield 44, Centre 36Washburn Rural 58, Emporia 35Wheatland-Grinnell 67, Western Plains 18Burlington Tournament=Fifth Place=Labette County 56, Paola 34Colby Tournament=Consolation Semifinal=Hays 53, Osborne 28Wichita Life Prep 57, Beloit 27Semifinal=Garden City 54, Colby 53, OTGoodland 57, Ulysses 18Hillsboro Tournament=Clay Center 51, Holcomb 19Eureka 47, Hesston 33Hillsboro 32, Riley County 22Remington 49, Republic County 29Hoisington Tournament=Consolation Semifinal=Otis-Bison 46, Ellsworth 27Semifinal=Cimarron 52, Hoisington 40MCL Tournament=Semifinal=Norton 52, Phillipsburg 45Smith Center 40, Hoxie 27NWKL Tournament=Consolation Semifinal=Dighton 57, Greeley County 39Rawlins County 53, Wallace County 46Semifinal=Quinter 52, Ness City 43Royal Valley Tournament=Royal Valley 61, Wabaunsee 48Santa Fe Trail 52, Chapman 39Salina Invitational Tournament=Consolation Semifinal=Buhler 35, Abilene 30Concordia 49, Wichita West 29Semifinal=Liberal 43, Salina South 19Salina Central 48, Andover 34SPIAA Tournament=First Round=Ashland 41, Pawnee Heights 28Hodgeman County 50, Satanta 25South Central 52, Minneola 31St John Tournament=St. John 41, Reno County 25Sterling Invitational Tournament=First Place Pool Play=Hugoton 65, Sterling 44Fourth Place Pool Play=Chaparral 54, Hutchinson Trinity 52Second Place Pool Play=Smoky Valley 32, Scott City 31Third Place Pool Play=Southeast Saline 40, Kingman 26Tonganoxie Tournament=Seventh Place=Tonganoxie 50, Bonner Springs 30Third Place=Eudora 42, Holton 25POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS=Herington vs. Peabody-Burns, ccd.Tescott vs. Pike Valley, ppd.

Friday high school basketball results

The Junction City Lady Jays picked up their third win of the season Friday night when they defeated Shawnee Mission North at the Shenk Gym 51-42.

In boys basketball today on Saturday the Blue Jays will play Bishop Carroll in&nbsp; the championship game of the Tournament of Champions in Dodge City. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. with the pregame broadcast on 107.9 FM / 1420 KJCK AM beginning at 2:50.

The Junction City Lady Jays picked up their third win of the season Friday night when they defeated Shawnee Mission North at the Shenk Gym 51-42.In boys basketball today on Saturday the Blue Jays will play Bishop Carroll in&nbsp; the championship game of the Tournament of Champions in Dodge City. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. with the pregame broadcast on 107.9 FM / 1420 KJCK AM beginning at 2:50.

Lady Jays defeat Shawnee Mission North

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol.

The 25-year-old suffered an apparent concussion that removed him from last week's AFC Divisional Round Playoff game against Cleveland.&nbsp;

During Friday's media availability, Mahomes spoke to the press and announced that he had cleared the five-step protocol and was officially available for Sunday's AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills.&nbsp;

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol.The 25-year-old suffered an apparent concussion that removed him from last week's AFC Divisional Round Playoff game against Cleveland.&nbsp;During Friday's media availability, Mahomes spoke to the press and announced that he had cleared the five-step protocol and was officially available for Sunday's AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills.&nbsp;

Mahomes Clears Concussion Protocol, Will Play Sunday

KANSAS STATE (5-10, 1-6 Big 12) vs. 14/15 WEST VIRGINIA (9-4, 2-3 Big 12)

Saturday, January 23, 2021 &gt;&gt; 3:05 p.m. CT &gt;&gt; Bramlage Coliseum (12,528) &gt;&gt; Manhattan, Kan.

Bramlage Coliseum will be open to approximately 15 percent capacity (1,879). There are no single-game tickets available.

In accordance with City of Manhattan ordinance and Kansas State University policy, anyone entering Bramlage Coliseum must wear face coverings over their mouths and noses and continue wearing them inside the arena at all times.

Kansas State: Bruce Weber (Wis.-Milwaukee ’78)

West Virginia: Bob Huggins (West Virginia ‘77)

KANSAS STATE (5-10, 1-6 Big 12) vs. 14/15 WEST VIRGINIA (9-4, 2-3 Big 12)Saturday, January 23, 2021 &gt;&gt; 3:05 p.m. CT &gt;&gt; Bramlage Coliseum (12,528) &gt;&gt; Manhattan, Kan.TELEVISIONESPN2 / WatchESPN<ul>
 <li>Anish Shroff (play-by-play)</li><li>Chris Spatola (analyst)</li><li>Paul Ervin (producer)</li>
 </ul>TICKETSBramlage Coliseum will be open to approximately 15 percent capacity (1,879). There are no single-game tickets available.SAFETY PRECAUTIONSIn accordance with City of Manhattan ordinance and Kansas State University policy, anyone entering Bramlage Coliseum must wear face coverings over their mouths and noses and continue wearing them inside the arena at all times.COACHESKansas State: Bruce Weber (Wis.-Milwaukee ’78)Overall: 479-275/23rd&nbsp;seasonAt K-State: 166-120/9th&nbsp;seasonvs. West Virginia: 7-10 (5-3 at home)West Virginia: Bob Huggins (West Virginia ‘77)Overall: 890-376/39th&nbsp;seasonRecord at WVU: 300-165/14th&nbsp;seasonvs. K-State: 11-7 (3-5 on the road)PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPKansas State (5-10)G: #5 Rudi WilliamsG: #00 Mike McGuirlG: #2 Selton MiguelG: #3 DaJuan GordonF: #21 Davion BradfordWest Virginia (9-4)G: #4 Miles McBrideG: #22 Sean McNeilF: #11 Emmitt Matthews, Jr.F: #2 Jalen BridgesF: #1 Derek CulverSERIES HISTORYOverall: West Virginia leads 11-8OPENING TIP<ul>
 <li>Kansas State (5-10, 1-6 Big 12) returns home to Bramlage Coliseum on Saturday afternoon, as the Wildcats play host to No. 14/15 West Virginia (9-4, 2-3 Big 12) at 3 p.m., CT. K-State has won consecutive games against WVU at home, including an 84-68 upset of the No. 12/13 Mountaineers last season. Saturday’s game will air on ESPN2 with Anish Shroff (play-by-play) and Chris Spatola (analyst) on the call.</li><li>K-State welcomes back former head coach Bob Huggins, who served as the top man in Manhattan for one season in 2006-07 before departing for his alma mater. He helped guide the Wildcats to their first 20-win season and the first postseason appearance in eight seasons, as his squad posted a 23-12 record and advanced to the second round of the NIT. Huggins, who was recently nominated for the Naismith Hall of Fame for the third time, ranks sixth all-time, including fourth among all active Division I head coaches, with 890 victories, including 300 at West Virginia.</li><li>This will be the Wildcats’ fourth matchup against a Top 25 opponent, including the third against a Top 15 foe. The team dropped a 100-69 decision to No. 2/2 Baylor in their first Big 12 home game on Dec. 19 before road losses to No. 18 Texas Tech (82-71) and No. 4 Texas (82-67) earlier this month. K-State is 119-265 all-time vs. ranked opponents, which includes a 6-10 mark vs. the AP’s No. 14 ranked squad. Head coach Bruce Weber has a school-record 26 career wins against Top 25 foes.</li><li>K-State is coming off its fifth consecutive loss in Tuesday night’s 76-50 setback at Oklahoma, as the Wildcats saw the Sooners grab the momentum with a 27-4 run over a near 11-minute span between the first and second halves. From the 5:19 mark of the first half to the 14:39 mark of the second half, the Sooners used the decisive run to flip a 5-point deficit (22-17) into an 18-point lead (44-26) that it would build to as many as 26. K-State could never get anything going offensively, posting season lows in 8 categories, including points (50), 3-pointers (3), free throws made (3) and attempted (6) and points off turnovers (6). Sophomore DaJuan Gordon (13) and freshman Selton Miguel (11) were the lone Wildcats to score in double figures.</li><li>K-State, which has seen seven players miss a combined 46 games this season, continues to add players back to its active roster from various reasons. Sophomore big man Kaosi Ezeagu performed well in his return to the lineup at Oklahoma on Tuesday after missing 10 games due to injury, posting 7 points and 3 rebounds in 12 minutes. This came on the heels of getting back sophomore Antonio Gordon and freshman Luke Kasubke back against Texas on Jan. 16. Gordon grabbed a career-best 11 rebounds against the Sooners, while Kasubke scored his first career points.</li><li>K-State has started 3 true freshmen (Davion Bradford, Selton Miguel and Nijel Pack) in 7 of 15 games, including 4 of 7 Big 12 games, while at least 2 true freshmen have started each of the last 10 games. The Wildcats are one of 6 teams (Kentucky, Duke, James Madison, North Carolina and Washington State) to start at least 3 true freshmen in at least one game, while the 33 combined starts by true freshmen rank second only to Kentucky’s 41.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>

K-State will host West Virginia Saturday

ATLANTA (AP) — Hank Aaron, who endured racist threats with stoic dignity during his pursuit of Babe Ruth but went on to break the career home run record in the pre-steroids era, died early Friday. He was 86

The Atlanta Braves said Aaron died peacefully in his sleep. No cause of death was given.

Aaron made his last public appearance less than two weeks ago when he received the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Hammerin’ Hank” set a wide array of career hitting records during a 23-year career spent mostly with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, including RBIs, extra-base hits and total bases.

But the Hall of Famer will be remembered for one swing above all others, the one that made him baseball’s home-run king.

It was a title he would hold for more than 33 years, a period in which the Hammer slowly but surely claimed his rightful place as one of America’s most iconic sporting figures, a true national treasure worthy of mention in the same breath with Ruth or Ali or Jordan.

ATLANTA (AP) — Hank Aaron, who endured racist threats with stoic dignity during his pursuit of Babe Ruth but went on to break the career home run record in the pre-steroids era, died early Friday. He was 86The Atlanta Braves said Aaron died peacefully in his sleep. No cause of death was given.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/4hOMsSGnRi">pic.twitter.com/4hOMsSGnRi</a>&mdash; Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1352650753920430083?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Aaron made his last public appearance less than two weeks ago when he received the COVID-19 vaccine.“Hammerin’ Hank” set a wide array of career hitting records during a 23-year career spent mostly with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, including RBIs, extra-base hits and total bases.But the Hall of Famer will be remembered for one swing above all others, the one that made him baseball’s home-run king.It was a title he would hold for more than 33 years, a period in which the Hammer slowly but surely claimed his rightful place as one of America’s most iconic sporting figures, a true national treasure worthy of mention in the same breath with Ruth or Ali or Jordan.

Baseball legend Hank Aaron has died 

The Junction City Lady Jays fell to Shawnee Mission South 58-18 Thursday night at Shawnee Mission South.

Junction City will host Shawnee Mission North Friday evening at the Shenk Gym. You can hear the game on 107.9 FM and 1420 KJCK AM. The broadcast begins at 6:20 with tipoff at 6:30 p.m.

The Junction City Lady Jays fell to Shawnee Mission South 58-18 Thursday night at Shawnee Mission South.Junction City will host Shawnee Mission North Friday evening at the Shenk Gym. You can hear the game on 107.9 FM and 1420 KJCK AM. The broadcast begins at 6:20 with tipoff at 6:30 p.m.

Lady Jays fall to Shawnee Mission South

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have made two arrests.

On January 16, deputies were called to the scene of two separate incidents involving burglary and theft, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.

On January 16, deputies were called to the east side of Independence when a witness from a previous case observed a truck pulling a trailer that the witness knew to be stolen. 

Upon further investigation it was learned the individual who possessed the trailer had just purchased it from a woman identified as Tanna Darnell, 36, of Independence and a man later identified as Terry “TJ” Werner, 39, Cherryvale, according to Wade.

It was also learned the individual that purchased the trailer also purchased other items that have been identified as stolen property from a separate incident.

Deputies responded to the location where the individual told deputies he purchased the property. While at that location a Deputy observed a blue ford F-150 being driven by Darnell and Werner as a passenger. The two entered a house near the location and deputies arrested them in the house. It was later determined that the home owner did not know Darnell or Werner and they did not have permission to be at the home.

Werner and Darnell are being held on requested charges to include Possession of stolen property, and Burglary. Werner also had multiple arrest warrants. Deputies also recommend drug charges after finding what is believed to be narcotic among her personal belongings.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611250176178.png" alt="Werner-photo Montgomery County" />
 <figcaption>Werner-photo Montgomery County</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have made two arrests.On January 16, deputies were called to the scene of two separate incidents involving burglary and theft, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.On January 16, deputies were called to the east side of Independence when a witness from a previous case observed a truck pulling a trailer that the witness knew to be stolen. Upon further investigation it was learned the individual who possessed the trailer had just purchased it from a woman identified as Tanna Darnell, 36, of Independence and a man later identified as Terry “TJ” Werner, 39, Cherryvale, according to Wade.It was also learned the individual that purchased the trailer also purchased other items that have been identified as stolen property from a separate incident.Deputies responded to the location where the individual told deputies he purchased the property. While at that location a Deputy observed a blue ford F-150 being driven by Darnell and Werner as a passenger. The two entered a house near the location and deputies arrested them in the house. It was later determined that the home owner did not know Darnell or Werner and they did not have permission to be at the home.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611250104512.png" alt="Darnell photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Darnell photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Werner and Darnell are being held on requested charges to include Possession of stolen property, and Burglary. Werner also had multiple arrest warrants. Deputies also recommend drug charges after finding what is believed to be narcotic among her personal belongings.&nbsp;

Deputies find burglary suspects at rural Kansas home

JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a chase.

On Jan. 21, a&nbsp;Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed a male subject in the Walmart parking lot in Holton who "appeared to be behaving in a suspicious manner," according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The man left in a 1997 Honda passenger car and headed south&nbsp; on U.S. Highway 75 at a high rate of speed.&nbsp; The deputy observed the vehicle heading east on 162nd Road and allegedly committing traffic infractions.

 A short pursuit ensued into the City of Mayetta where the pursuit was terminated, according to Morse.

The driver and only occupant was identified as James Michael Costello Jr., 40, Valley Falls. Deputies arrested on requested charges of being in possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal carrying a weapon and eluding a law enforcement officer.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611281460930.png" alt="Costello has previous convictions for burglary, theft and flee or attempt to elude law enforcement, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Costello has previous convictions for burglary, theft and flee or attempt to elude law enforcement, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a chase.On Jan. 21, a&nbsp;Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed a male subject in the Walmart parking lot in Holton who "appeared to be behaving in a suspicious manner," according to Sheriff Tim Morse.The man left in a 1997 Honda passenger car and headed south&nbsp; on U.S. Highway 75 at a high rate of speed.&nbsp; The deputy observed the vehicle heading east on 162nd Road and allegedly committing traffic infractions. A short pursuit ensued into the City of Mayetta where the pursuit was terminated, according to Morse.The driver and only occupant was identified as James Michael Costello Jr., 40, Valley Falls. Deputies arrested on requested charges of being in possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal carrying a weapon and eluding a law enforcement officer.&nbsp;

Sheriff: Kan. felon arrested after high-speed chase

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Sedgwick County commissioners have decided to not fight the firing of Election Commissioner Tabitha Lehman after Secretary of State Scott Schwab promised the county a role in choosing her successor. 

Lehman lost her job for violating a policy by remotely accessing the state’s voter registration database when working from home while fighting cancer during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Commissioners complimented Lehman for conducting a nearly flawless election, but opted not to propose legislation to scale back Schwab’s authority to pick the top election official in the state’s four most populous counties.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Tabitha Lehman says she is losing her job for violating a policy by remotely accessing the state’s voter registration database when working from home while fighting cancer during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Lehman said Wednesday that Secretary of State Scott Schwab informed her earlier this month that when her term as election commissioner expires on July 19, he did not intend to appoint her to another term. 

Lehman said she “knowingly chose” to violate Schwab’s policy in order to direct a fair and accurate Presidential election. Schwab says this was “not a hasty decision,” and they could not jeopardize the safety of Kansas election systems to the benefit of one.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1604060498738.png" alt="Voters waiting in line in Wichita -photo courtesy Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Voters waiting in line in Wichita -photo courtesy Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Sedgwick County commissioners have decided to not fight the firing of Election Commissioner Tabitha Lehman after Secretary of State Scott Schwab promised the county a role in choosing her successor. Lehman lost her job for violating a policy by remotely accessing the state’s voter registration database when working from home while fighting cancer during the coronavirus pandemic. Commissioners complimented Lehman for conducting a nearly flawless election, but opted not to propose legislation to scale back Schwab’s authority to pick the top election official in the state’s four most populous counties.----------WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Tabitha Lehman says she is losing her job for violating a policy by remotely accessing the state’s voter registration database when working from home while fighting cancer during the coronavirus pandemic. Lehman said Wednesday that Secretary of State Scott Schwab informed her earlier this month that when her term as election commissioner expires on July 19, he did not intend to appoint her to another term. Lehman said she “knowingly chose” to violate Schwab’s policy in order to direct a fair and accurate Presidential election. Schwab says this was “not a hasty decision,” and they could not jeopardize the safety of Kansas election systems to the benefit of one.

Kansas county will not fight firing of election official

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A mythical, ape-like creature that has captured the imagination of adventurers for decades has now become the target of a state lawmaker in Oklahoma. 

A Republican House member has introduced a bill that would create a Bigfoot hunting season. Rep. Justin Humphrey's district includes the heavily forested Ouachita Mountains in southeast Oklahoma, <a href="https://www.honobiabigfoot.com/">where a Bigfoot festival </a>is held each year.

He says issuing a state hunting license and tag could help boost tourism. A spokesman for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, which oversees hunting in Oklahoma, says the agency uses science-driven research and doesn't recognize Bigfoot.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611435558538.png" alt="Photo courtesy Honobia Bigfoot Festival and Conference" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Honobia Bigfoot Festival and Conference</figcaption>
 </figure>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A mythical, ape-like creature that has captured the imagination of adventurers for decades has now become the target of a state lawmaker in Oklahoma. A Republican House member has introduced a bill that would create a Bigfoot hunting season. Rep. Justin Humphrey's district includes the heavily forested Ouachita Mountains in southeast Oklahoma, <a href="https://www.honobiabigfoot.com/">where a Bigfoot festival </a>is held each year. He says issuing a state hunting license and tag could help boost tourism. A spokesman for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, which oversees hunting in Oklahoma, says the agency uses science-driven research and doesn't recognize Bigfoot.

Lawmaker proposes 'Bigfoot' hunting season

TOPEKA— Republicans on Friday pushed a proposed pro-life amendment to the Kansas Constitution through the state House on the 48th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic decision protecting abortion rights.

Governor Laura Kelly immediately responded to the news with a warning.

“I’ve always believed that every woman’s reproductive decisions should be left to her, her family, and her physician. While I know others do not share my belief, I don’t think those supporting this amendment are aware of the consequences it will have for the state of Kansas and our reputation.

“We already know how this ends – North Carolina’s notorious bathroom bill cost that state nearly $4 billion in economic development – and this amendment has the same potential to do irreparable damage to our COVID-19 economic recovery efforts and our long-term prospects to recruit businesses and workforce talent.”

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hcr5003_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">The measure&nbsp;</a>was approved 86-38, giving abortion opponents two votes more than the two-thirds majority necessary for passage. It goes next to the Senate for debate, possibly next week.

The proposal would overturn&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3f479b218a6140719e1694fcfcdb8036">a Kansas Supreme Court decision&nbsp;</a>in 2019 declaring access to abortion a “fundamental” right under the state’s Bill of Rights. It would declare that the state constitution does not grant a right to abortion.

Abortion opponents argued that the measure would simply allow the Legislature to regulate abortion as it has in the past and in line with U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

Abortion rights supporters argued that the measure would allow Kansas to ban abortion if a more conservative U.S. Supreme Court overturns its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.

If the measure is approved by two-thirds majorities in both chambers, it would go on the August 2022&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-constitutions-kansas-general-elections-elections-56b272878ee505c44931b2a1840636b7">primary ballot.&nbsp;</a>Critics said abortion opponents are choosing that timing because the smaller primary electorate tends to be more conservative than a broader November general electorate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611420285465.png" alt="The proposal would overturn&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3f479b218a6140719e1694fcfcdb8036">a Kansas Supreme Court decision&nbsp;</a>in 2019 declaring access to abortion a “fundamental” right under the state’s Bill of Rights." />
 <figcaption>The proposal would overturn&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3f479b218a6140719e1694fcfcdb8036">a Kansas Supreme Court decision&nbsp;</a>in 2019 declaring access to abortion a “fundamental” right under the state’s Bill of Rights.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA— Republicans on Friday pushed a proposed pro-life amendment to the Kansas Constitution through the state House on the 48th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic decision protecting abortion rights.Governor Laura Kelly immediately responded to the news with a warning.“I’ve always believed that every woman’s reproductive decisions should be left to her, her family, and her physician. While I know others do not share my belief, I don’t think those supporting this amendment are aware of the consequences it will have for the state of Kansas and our reputation.“We already know how this ends – North Carolina’s notorious bathroom bill cost that state nearly $4 billion in economic development – and this amendment has the same potential to do irreparable damage to our COVID-19 economic recovery efforts and our long-term prospects to recruit businesses and workforce talent.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">My statement on today&#39;s vote: <a href="https://t.co/nnTxhIgzrd">pic.twitter.com/nnTxhIgzrd</a>&mdash; Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovLauraKelly/status/1352684958666657799?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hcr5003_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">The measure&nbsp;</a>was approved 86-38, giving abortion opponents two votes more than the two-thirds majority necessary for passage. It goes next to the Senate for debate, possibly next week.The proposal would overturn&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3f479b218a6140719e1694fcfcdb8036">a Kansas Supreme Court decision&nbsp;</a>in 2019 declaring access to abortion a “fundamental” right under the state’s Bill of Rights. It would declare that the state constitution does not grant a right to abortion.Abortion opponents argued that the measure would simply allow the Legislature to regulate abortion as it has in the past and in line with U.S. Supreme Court decisions.Abortion rights supporters argued that the measure would allow Kansas to ban abortion if a more conservative U.S. Supreme Court overturns its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.If the measure is approved by two-thirds majorities in both chambers, it would go on the August 2022&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-constitutions-kansas-general-elections-elections-56b272878ee505c44931b2a1840636b7">primary ballot.&nbsp;</a>Critics said abortion opponents are choosing that timing because the smaller primary electorate tends to be more conservative than a broader November general electorate.___

Gov. issues warning on Kan. pro-life amendment to constitution

LONDON (AP) — There is some evidence that a new coronavirus variant first identified in southeast England carries a higher risk of death .than the original strain, the British government’s chief scientific adviser said Friday -- though he stressed that the data is uncertain

Patrick Vallance told a news conference that “there is evidence that there is an increased risk for those who have the new variant.”

He said that for a man in his 60s with the original version of the virus, “the average risk is that for 1,000 people who got infected, roughly 10 would be expected to unfortunately die.”

“With the new variant, for 1,000 people infected, roughly 13 or 14 people might be expected to die,” he said.

But Vallance stressed that “the evidence is not yet strong” and more research is needed.

In contrast to that uncertainty, he said, there is growing confidence that the variant is more easily passed on than the original coronavirus strain. He said it appears to be between 30% and 70% more transmissible.

Maria Van Kerkhove, the World Health Organization’s technical lead on COVID-19, said studies were underway to look at the transmission and severity of new virus variants.

She said so far “they haven’t seen an increase in severity” but that more transmission could lead to “an overburdened health care system” and thus more deaths.

The evidence for the new variant being more deadly is i&nbsp;<a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/955239/NERVTAG_paper_on_variant_of_concern__VOC__B.1.1.7.pdf" target="_blank">n a paper prepared by a group of scientists that advises the government on new respiratory viruses</a>, based on several studies.

The British scientists said that although initial analyses suggested that the strain, first identified in September, did not cause more severe disease, several more recent ones suggest it might. However, the numbers of deaths are relatively small, and case fatality rates are affected by many things including the care patients get and their age and health beyond having COVID-19.

The British scientists stress that the information so far has major limitations, and that they do not know how representative the cases included in the analyses are of what’s happening throughout the country or elsewhere.

One analysis did not find an increased risk of death among people admitted to a hospital with the new strain. In another, the odds of being admitted to a hospital with the new strain compared to the previously dominant one were no different.

There is a lag in reporting hospitalizations after infection, and a further lag from infection to death, so officials expect to learn more in several weeks.

Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine at the University of East Anglia, said “there is quite a bit of difference in the estimated increased risk of death between the different analyses, though most, but not all, show increased risk of death,” he said.

Ian Jones, professor of Virology at the University of Reading, said “the data is limited and the conclusions preliminary. However, an increased case fatality rate is certainly possible with a virus that has upped its game in transmission.”

British officials say they are confident that the vaccines that have been authorized for use against COVID-19 will be effective against the new strain identified in the country.

But Vallance said scientists are concerned that variants identified in Brazil and South Africa could be more resistant to vaccines, adding that more research needs to be done.

Concerns about newly identified variants have triggered a spate of new travel restrictions around the world. Many countries have closed their borders to travelers from Britain, and the U.K. has halted flights from Brazil and South Africa.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said there could be further restrictions.

“We may need to go further to protect our borders,” he said.

Britain has recorded 95,981 deaths among people who tested positive for the coronavirus, the highest confirmed total in Europe.

The U.K. is currently in a lockdown in an attempt to slow the latest surge of the coronavirus outbreak. Pubs, restaurants, entertainment venues and many shops are closed, and people are required to stay largely at home.

The number of new infections has begun to fall, but deaths remain agonizingly high, averaging more than 1,000 a day, and the number of hospitalized patients is 80% higher than at the first peak of the pandemic in the spring.

Johnson, who has often been accused of giving overly optimistic predictions about relaxing coronavirus restrictions, sounded gloomy.

“We will have to live with coronavirus in one way or another for a long while to come,” he said, adding that “it’s an open question” when measures could be eased.

“At this stage you’ve got to be very, very cautious indeed,” he said. Vallance agreed, “I don’t think this virus is going anywhere,” he said. “It’s going to be around, probably, forever.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608566572342.png" alt="Image courtesy GISAID" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy GISAID</figcaption>
 </figure>LONDON (AP) — There is some evidence that a new coronavirus variant first identified in southeast England carries a higher risk of death .than the original strain, the British government’s chief scientific adviser said Friday -- though he stressed that the data is uncertainPatrick Vallance told a news conference that “there is evidence that there is an increased risk for those who have the new variant.”He said that for a man in his 60s with the original version of the virus, “the average risk is that for 1,000 people who got infected, roughly 10 would be expected to unfortunately die.”“With the new variant, for 1,000 people infected, roughly 13 or 14 people might be expected to die,” he said.But Vallance stressed that “the evidence is not yet strong” and more research is needed.In contrast to that uncertainty, he said, there is growing confidence that the variant is more easily passed on than the original coronavirus strain. He said it appears to be between 30% and 70% more transmissible.Maria Van Kerkhove, the World Health Organization’s technical lead on COVID-19, said studies were underway to look at the transmission and severity of new virus variants.She said so far “they haven’t seen an increase in severity” but that more transmission could lead to “an overburdened health care system” and thus more deaths.The evidence for the new variant being more deadly is i&nbsp;<a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/955239/NERVTAG_paper_on_variant_of_concern__VOC__B.1.1.7.pdf" target="_blank">n a paper prepared by a group of scientists that advises the government on new respiratory viruses</a>, based on several studies.The British scientists said that although initial analyses suggested that the strain, first identified in September, did not cause more severe disease, several more recent ones suggest it might. However, the numbers of deaths are relatively small, and case fatality rates are affected by many things including the care patients get and their age and health beyond having COVID-19.The British scientists stress that the information so far has major limitations, and that they do not know how representative the cases included in the analyses are of what’s happening throughout the country or elsewhere.One analysis did not find an increased risk of death among people admitted to a hospital with the new strain. In another, the odds of being admitted to a hospital with the new strain compared to the previously dominant one were no different.There is a lag in reporting hospitalizations after infection, and a further lag from infection to death, so officials expect to learn more in several weeks.Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine at the University of East Anglia, said “there is quite a bit of difference in the estimated increased risk of death between the different analyses, though most, but not all, show increased risk of death,” he said.Ian Jones, professor of Virology at the University of Reading, said “the data is limited and the conclusions preliminary. However, an increased case fatality rate is certainly possible with a virus that has upped its game in transmission.”British officials say they are confident that the vaccines that have been authorized for use against COVID-19 will be effective against the new strain identified in the country.But Vallance said scientists are concerned that variants identified in Brazil and South Africa could be more resistant to vaccines, adding that more research needs to be done.Concerns about newly identified variants have triggered a spate of new travel restrictions around the world. Many countries have closed their borders to travelers from Britain, and the U.K. has halted flights from Brazil and South Africa.Prime Minister Boris Johnson said there could be further restrictions.“We may need to go further to protect our borders,” he said.Britain has recorded 95,981 deaths among people who tested positive for the coronavirus, the highest confirmed total in Europe.The U.K. is currently in a lockdown in an attempt to slow the latest surge of the coronavirus outbreak. Pubs, restaurants, entertainment venues and many shops are closed, and people are required to stay largely at home.The number of new infections has begun to fall, but deaths remain agonizingly high, averaging more than 1,000 a day, and the number of hospitalized patients is 80% higher than at the first peak of the pandemic in the spring.Johnson, who has often been accused of giving overly optimistic predictions about relaxing coronavirus restrictions, sounded gloomy.“We will have to live with coronavirus in one way or another for a long while to come,” he said, adding that “it’s an open question” when measures could be eased.“At this stage you’ve got to be very, very cautious indeed,” he said. Vallance agreed, “I don’t think this virus is going anywhere,” he said. “It’s going to be around, probably, forever.”

UK chief scientist says new virus variant may be more deadly

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Larry King, the suspenders-sporting everyman whose broadcast interviews with world leaders, movie stars and ordinary Joes helped define American conversation for a half-century, died Saturday. He was 87.

King died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Ora Media, the studio and network he co-founded,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/kingsthings/status/1352960673978880000/photo/2" target="_blank">tweeted.&nbsp;</a>No cause of death was given, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-larry-king-coronavirus-pandemic-talk-shows-us-news-7cd892f589671d503a4d45de00890f64">CNN had earlier reported</a>&nbsp;he was hospitalized with COVID-19.

A longtime nationally syndicated radio host, from 1985 through 2010 he was a nightly fixture on CNN, where he won many honors, including two Peabody awards.

With his celebrity interviews, political debates and topical discussions, King wasn’t just an enduring on-air personality. He also set himself apart with the curiosity be brought to every interview, whether questioning the assault victim known as the “Central Park Jogger” or billionaire industrialist Ross Perot, who in 1992 rocked the presidential contest by announcing his candidacy on King’s show.

In its early years, “Larry King Live” was based in Washington, D.C., which gave the show an air of gravitas. Likewise King. He was the plainspoken go-between through whom Beltway bigwigs could reach their public, and they did, earning the show prestige as a place where things happened, where news was made.

King conducted an estimated 50,000 on-air interviews. In 1995 he presided over a Middle East peace summit with PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat, King Hussein of Jordan and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. He welcomed everyone from the Dalai Lama to Elizabeth Taylor, from Mikhail Gorbachev to Barack Obama, Bill Gates to Lady Gaga.

Especially after he relocated to Los Angeles, his shows were frequently in the thick of breaking celebrity news, including Paris Hilton talking about her stint in jail in 2007 and Michael Jackson’s friends and family members talking about his death in 2009.

King boasted of never over-preparing for an interview. His nonconfrontational style relaxed his guests and made him readily relatable to his audience.

“I don’t pretend to know it all,” he said in a 1995 Associated Press interview. “Not, `What about Geneva or Cuba?′ I ask, `Mr. President, what don’t you like about this job?′ Or `What’s the biggest mistake you made?′ That’s fascinating.”

At a time when CNN, as the lone player in cable news, was deemed politically neutral, and King was the essence of its middle-of-the-road stance, political figures and people at the center of controversies would seek out his show.

And he was known for getting guests who were notoriously elusive. Frank Sinatra, who rarely gave interviews and often lashed out at reporters, spoke to King in 1988 in what would be the singer’s last major TV appearance. Sinatra was an old friend of King’s and acted accordingly.

“Why are you here?” King asks. Sinatra responds, “Because you asked me to come and I hadn’t seen you in a long time to begin with, I thought we ought to get together and chat, just talk about a lot of things.”

King had never met Marlon Brando, who was even tougher to get and tougher to interview, when the acting giant asked to appear on King’s show in 1994. The two hit it off so famously they ended their 90-minute talk with a song and an on-the-mouth kiss, an image that was all over media in subsequent weeks.

After a gala week marking his 25th anniversary in June 2010, King abruptly announced he was retiring from his show, telling viewers, “It’s time to hang up my nightly suspenders.” Named as his successor in the time slot: British journalist and TV personality Piers Morgan.

By King’s departure that December, suspicion had grown that he had waited a little too long to hang up those suspenders. Once the leader in cable TV news, he ranked third in his time slot with less than half the nightly audience his peak year, 1998, when “Larry King Live” drew 1.64 million viewers.

His wide-eyed, regular-guy approach to interviewing by then felt dated in an era of edgy, pushy or loaded questioning by other hosts.

Meanwhile, occasional flubs had made him seem out of touch, or worse. A prime example from 2007 found King asking Jerry Seinfeld if he had voluntarily left his sitcom or been canceled by his network, NBC.

“I was the No. 1 show in television, Larry,” replied Seinfeld with a flabbergasted look. “Do you know who I am?”

Always a workaholic, King would be back doing specials for CNN within a few months of performing his nightly duties.

He found a new sort of celebrity as a plain-spoken natural on Twitter when the platform emerged, winning over more than 2 million followers who simultaneously mocked and loved him for his esoteric style.

“I’ve never been in a canoe. #Itsmy2cents,” he said in a typical tweet in 2015.

His Twitter account was essentially a revival of a USA Today column he wrote for two decades full of one-off, disjointed thoughts. Norm Macdonald delivered a parody version of the column when he played King on “Saturday Night Live,” with deadpan lines like, “The more I think about it, the more I appreciate the equator.”

King was constantly parodied, often through old-age jokes on late-night talk shows from hosts including David Letterman and Conan O’Brien, often appearing with the latter to get in on the roasting himself.

King came by his voracious but no-frills manner honestly.

He was born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger in 1933, a son of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe who ran a bar and grill in Brooklyn. But after his father’s death when Larry was a boy, he faced a troubled, sometimes destitute youth.

A fan of such radio stars as Arthur Godfrey and comedians Bob &amp; Ray, King on reaching adulthood set his sights on a broadcasting career. With word that Miami was a good place to break in, he headed south in 1957 and landed a job sweeping floors at a tiny AM station. When a deejay abruptly quit, King was put on the air — and was handed his new surname by the station manager, who thought Zeiger “too Jewish.”

A year later he moved to a larger station, where his duties were expanded from the usual patter to serving as host of a daily interview show that aired from a local restaurant. He quickly proved equally adept at talking to the waitresses, and the celebrities who began dropping by.

By the early 1960s King had gone to yet a larger Miami station, scored a newspaper column and become a local celebrity himself.

At the same time, he fell victim to living large.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609638834672.png" alt="Larry King moderated a presidential candidate debate in 2004 -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Larry King moderated a presidential candidate debate in 2004 -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Larry King, the suspenders-sporting everyman whose broadcast interviews with world leaders, movie stars and ordinary Joes helped define American conversation for a half-century, died Saturday. He was 87.King died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Ora Media, the studio and network he co-founded,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/kingsthings/status/1352960673978880000/photo/2" target="_blank">tweeted.&nbsp;</a>No cause of death was given, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-larry-king-coronavirus-pandemic-talk-shows-us-news-7cd892f589671d503a4d45de00890f64">CNN had earlier reported</a>&nbsp;he was hospitalized with COVID-19.A longtime nationally syndicated radio host, from 1985 through 2010 he was a nightly fixture on CNN, where he won many honors, including two Peabody awards.With his celebrity interviews, political debates and topical discussions, King wasn’t just an enduring on-air personality. He also set himself apart with the curiosity be brought to every interview, whether questioning the assault victim known as the “Central Park Jogger” or billionaire industrialist Ross Perot, who in 1992 rocked the presidential contest by announcing his candidacy on King’s show.In its early years, “Larry King Live” was based in Washington, D.C., which gave the show an air of gravitas. Likewise King. He was the plainspoken go-between through whom Beltway bigwigs could reach their public, and they did, earning the show prestige as a place where things happened, where news was made.King conducted an estimated 50,000 on-air interviews. In 1995 he presided over a Middle East peace summit with PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat, King Hussein of Jordan and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. He welcomed everyone from the Dalai Lama to Elizabeth Taylor, from Mikhail Gorbachev to Barack Obama, Bill Gates to Lady Gaga.Especially after he relocated to Los Angeles, his shows were frequently in the thick of breaking celebrity news, including Paris Hilton talking about her stint in jail in 2007 and Michael Jackson’s friends and family members talking about his death in 2009.King boasted of never over-preparing for an interview. His nonconfrontational style relaxed his guests and made him readily relatable to his audience.“I don’t pretend to know it all,” he said in a 1995 Associated Press interview. “Not, `What about Geneva or Cuba?′ I ask, `Mr. President, what don’t you like about this job?′ Or `What’s the biggest mistake you made?′ That’s fascinating.”At a time when CNN, as the lone player in cable news, was deemed politically neutral, and King was the essence of its middle-of-the-road stance, political figures and people at the center of controversies would seek out his show.And he was known for getting guests who were notoriously elusive. Frank Sinatra, who rarely gave interviews and often lashed out at reporters, spoke to King in 1988 in what would be the singer’s last major TV appearance. Sinatra was an old friend of King’s and acted accordingly.“Why are you here?” King asks. Sinatra responds, “Because you asked me to come and I hadn’t seen you in a long time to begin with, I thought we ought to get together and chat, just talk about a lot of things.”King had never met Marlon Brando, who was even tougher to get and tougher to interview, when the acting giant asked to appear on King’s show in 1994. The two hit it off so famously they ended their 90-minute talk with a song and an on-the-mouth kiss, an image that was all over media in subsequent weeks.After a gala week marking his 25th anniversary in June 2010, King abruptly announced he was retiring from his show, telling viewers, “It’s time to hang up my nightly suspenders.” Named as his successor in the time slot: British journalist and TV personality Piers Morgan.By King’s departure that December, suspicion had grown that he had waited a little too long to hang up those suspenders. Once the leader in cable TV news, he ranked third in his time slot with less than half the nightly audience his peak year, 1998, when “Larry King Live” drew 1.64 million viewers.His wide-eyed, regular-guy approach to interviewing by then felt dated in an era of edgy, pushy or loaded questioning by other hosts.Meanwhile, occasional flubs had made him seem out of touch, or worse. A prime example from 2007 found King asking Jerry Seinfeld if he had voluntarily left his sitcom or been canceled by his network, NBC.“I was the No. 1 show in television, Larry,” replied Seinfeld with a flabbergasted look. “Do you know who I am?”Always a workaholic, King would be back doing specials for CNN within a few months of performing his nightly duties.He found a new sort of celebrity as a plain-spoken natural on Twitter when the platform emerged, winning over more than 2 million followers who simultaneously mocked and loved him for his esoteric style.“I’ve never been in a canoe. #Itsmy2cents,” he said in a typical tweet in 2015.His Twitter account was essentially a revival of a USA Today column he wrote for two decades full of one-off, disjointed thoughts. Norm Macdonald delivered a parody version of the column when he played King on “Saturday Night Live,” with deadpan lines like, “The more I think about it, the more I appreciate the equator.”King was constantly parodied, often through old-age jokes on late-night talk shows from hosts including David Letterman and Conan O’Brien, often appearing with the latter to get in on the roasting himself.King came by his voracious but no-frills manner honestly.He was born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger in 1933, a son of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe who ran a bar and grill in Brooklyn. But after his father’s death when Larry was a boy, he faced a troubled, sometimes destitute youth.A fan of such radio stars as Arthur Godfrey and comedians Bob &amp; Ray, King on reaching adulthood set his sights on a broadcasting career. With word that Miami was a good place to break in, he headed south in 1957 and landed a job sweeping floors at a tiny AM station. When a deejay abruptly quit, King was put on the air — and was handed his new surname by the station manager, who thought Zeiger “too Jewish.”A year later he moved to a larger station, where his duties were expanded from the usual patter to serving as host of a daily interview show that aired from a local restaurant. He quickly proved equally adept at talking to the waitresses, and the celebrities who began dropping by.By the early 1960s King had gone to yet a larger Miami station, scored a newspaper column and become a local celebrity himself.At the same time, he fell victim to living large.“It was important to me to come across as a ‘big man,”’ he wrote in his autobiography, which meant “I made a lot of money and spread it around lavishly.”He accumulated debts and his first broken marriages (he was married eight times to seven women). He gambled, borrowed wildly and failed to pay his taxes. He also became involved with a shady financier in a scheme to bankroll an investigation of President Kennedy’s assassination. But when King skimmed some of the cash to pay his overdue taxes, his partner sued him for grand larceny in 1971. The charges were dropped, but King’s reputation appeared ruined.King lost his radio show and, for several years, struggled to find work. But by 1975 the scandal had largely blown over and a Miami station gave him another chance. Regaining his local popularity, King was signed in 1978 to host radio’s first nationwide call-in show.Originating from Washington on the Mutual network, “The Larry King Show” was eventually heard on more than 300 stations and made King a national phenomenon.A few years later, CNN founder Ted Turner offered King a slot on his young network. “Larry King Live” debuted on June 1, 1985, and became CNN’s highest-rated program. King’s beginning salary of $100,000 a year eventually grew to more than $7 million.A three-packs-a-day cigarette habit led to a heart attack in 1987, but King’s quintuple-bypass surgery didn’t slow him down.Meanwhile, he continued to prove that, in his words, “I’m not good at marriage, but I’m a great boyfriend.”He was just 18 when he married high school girlfriend Freda Miller, in 1952. The marriage lasted less than a year. In subsequent decades he would marry Annette Kay, Alene Akins (twice), Mickey Sutfin, Sharon Lepore and Julie Alexander.In 1997, he wed Shawn Southwick, a country singer and actress 26 years his junior. They would file for divorce in 2010, rescind the filing, then file for divorce again in 2019.The couple had two sons, King’s fourth and fifth kids, Chance Armstrong, born in 1999, and Cannon Edward, born in 2000. In 2020, King lost his two eldest children, Andy King and Chaia King, who died of unrelated health problems within weeks of each other.He had many other medical issues in recent decades, including more heart attacks and diagnoses of type 2 diabetes and lung cancer.Early in 2021, CNN reported that King was hospitalized for more than a week with COVID-19.Through his setbacks he continued to work into his late 80s, taking on online talk shows and infomercials as his appearances on CNN grew fewer.“Work,” King once said. “It’s the easiest thing I do.”___

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