TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man was indicted in federal court this with distributing heroin, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

James Licht, 39, Topeka, was charged with one count of distributing heroin and one count of unlawful possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon.

According to documents filed in court, in October investigators served a search warrant at Licht’s residence in the 1400 block of SW 5th&nbsp;Street in Topeka. Among the items seized were heroin, more than $1,500 in cash, a .45 caliber pistol, a 9 mm pistol, other firearms and drug paraphernalia.

Licht was paying $1,500 to $2,000 an ounce to buy 1 to 2 ounces of heroin each week.

&nbsp;Licht was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a felony conviction in 2019 in Shawnee County District Court.

If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million on the heroin charge and up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the firearm charge. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Kansas Highway Patrol investigated.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607552022193.png" alt="Licht from an earlier arrest in Douglas Co." />
 <figcaption>Licht from an earlier arrest in Douglas Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man was indicted in federal court this with distributing heroin, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.James Licht, 39, Topeka, was charged with one count of distributing heroin and one count of unlawful possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon.According to documents filed in court, in October investigators served a search warrant at Licht’s residence in the 1400 block of SW 5th&nbsp;Street in Topeka. Among the items seized were heroin, more than $1,500 in cash, a .45 caliber pistol, a 9 mm pistol, other firearms and drug paraphernalia.Licht was paying $1,500 to $2,000 an ounce to buy 1 to 2 ounces of heroin each week.&nbsp;Licht was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a felony conviction in 2019 in Shawnee County District Court.If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million on the heroin charge and up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the firearm charge. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Kansas Highway Patrol investigated.&nbsp;

Indictment: Kan. man paid $1500 a week for ounce of heroin

WASHINGTON (AP) — A congressional monitor of federal pandemic aid is raising the possibility of a link between President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and a $700 million relief loan to a struggling trucking company.

Bharat Ramamurti, a Democratic member of the four-person Congressional Oversight Commission, raised the possible Kushner connection at a hearing Thursday, as panel members from both parties challenged the Treasury Department’s decision to award the loan to YRC Worldwide. The taxpayer-funded loan was made on the grounds that the company's operations are critical for maintaining national security.

The panel members questioned the decision to deem YRC’s business vital to national security. It was the first and by far the largest loan made under the national security portion of the Treasury Department’s corporate aid program, which has loaned billions to major airlines and smaller air carriers.

YRC received a separate $600 million loan last year from Apollo Global Management and several other lenders that was arranged by Apollo, a big private equity firm that is YRC’s biggest creditor, according to the oversight panel. Apollo co-founder Joshua Harris advised the Trump administration on infrastructure policy in early 2017 and met with Kushner, who is an adviser to the president. Later that year Apollo lent $184 million to Kushner’s family real estate company to help refinance its mortgage on a Chicago building, according to a New York Times report cited by Ramamurti.

Ramamurti asked Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin whether he had had contacts with Kushner or his staff regarding the YRC loan. Mnuchin said he had not. Ramamurti then broadened the question to a request for correspondence with anyone in the White House.

“This warrants further investigation,” Ramamurti said. He called the loan to YRC “a fast-tracked, extremely generous loan that just so happened to help” Apollo as YRC’s creditor.

There was no immediate comment on the matter to The Associated Press from Kushner or his staff.

“Apollo was not involved at all in (YRC's) decision to seek the Treasury funds," Apollo spokesperson Joanna Rose said Thursday. “We are a capital provider for thousands of companies. We are one of many lenders to YRC. This is not a company that our funds own or control."

The congressional monitors found that taxpayers could be at risk of losing money on the $700 million investment. YRC has had financial problems for years, well before the onset of the pandemic, and has been at risk of bankruptcy.

Mnuchin defended the loan, saying that YRC meets the criteria for companies deemed essential for national security as the Treasury Department had worked out with the Defense Department and the Office of Director of National Intelligence.

He acknowledged that taxpayers could end up losing the money if YRC fails and doesn’t pay it back. “This was a risky loan,” Mnuchin said, but he added, “We’ve been fortunate that the economy recovered. ... Ultimately Treasury and the taxpayers will be very well compensated.”

Mnuchin noted that, before the loan was approved this summer, several lawmakers had asked the Treasury Department to help YRC in order to save jobs.

Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., a member of the panel who is a former banker, told Mnuchin, “Were I still in finance, I would not have made this loan.”

YRC, based in Overland Park, Kansas, provides transportation and logistics services, such as delivering food, electronics and other supplies to military locations around the country. The Defense Department is a major YRC client, and it’s the leading transportation provider to the Department of Homeland Security.

The national security portion of Treasury’s corporate aid program, with an available pot of up to $17 billion, had been expected earlier this year to be earmarked for hard-pressed aircraft maker Boeing or for General Electric. They were able to tap the private credit markets and didn’t seek government aid.

To qualify for the national security aid, companies should be performing under defense contracts of the highest national priority or operating under top-secret security clearance. YRC apparently didn’t meet either of the criteria but qualified under a “catchall” provision allowing a recommendation and certification from the secretary of defense or the director of national intelligence to be sufficient.

The four-member oversight commission was appointed by congressional leaders of both parties to monitor the spending of some $2 trillion in economic aid enacted by Congress last spring and directed by the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597334632566.png" alt="President Trump's son-in-law , Jared Kushner, during an Oval Office Ceremony in July-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump's son-in-law , Jared Kushner, during an Oval Office Ceremony in July-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A congressional monitor of federal pandemic aid is raising the possibility of a link between President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and a $700 million relief loan to a struggling trucking company.Bharat Ramamurti, a Democratic member of the four-person Congressional Oversight Commission, raised the possible Kushner connection at a hearing Thursday, as panel members from both parties challenged the Treasury Department’s decision to award the loan to YRC Worldwide. The taxpayer-funded loan was made on the grounds that the company's operations are critical for maintaining national security.The panel members questioned the decision to deem YRC’s business vital to national security. It was the first and by far the largest loan made under the national security portion of the Treasury Department’s corporate aid program, which has loaned billions to major airlines and smaller air carriers.YRC received a separate $600 million loan last year from Apollo Global Management and several other lenders that was arranged by Apollo, a big private equity firm that is YRC’s biggest creditor, according to the oversight panel. Apollo co-founder Joshua Harris advised the Trump administration on infrastructure policy in early 2017 and met with Kushner, who is an adviser to the president. Later that year Apollo lent $184 million to Kushner’s family real estate company to help refinance its mortgage on a Chicago building, according to a New York Times report cited by Ramamurti.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607708626735.png" alt="Kushner-photo courtesy White House " />
 <figcaption>Kushner-photo courtesy White House </figcaption>
 </figure>Ramamurti asked Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin whether he had had contacts with Kushner or his staff regarding the YRC loan. Mnuchin said he had not. Ramamurti then broadened the question to a request for correspondence with anyone in the White House.“This warrants further investigation,” Ramamurti said. He called the loan to YRC “a fast-tracked, extremely generous loan that just so happened to help” Apollo as YRC’s creditor.There was no immediate comment on the matter to The Associated Press from Kushner or his staff.“Apollo was not involved at all in (YRC's) decision to seek the Treasury funds," Apollo spokesperson Joanna Rose said Thursday. “We are a capital provider for thousands of companies. We are one of many lenders to YRC. This is not a company that our funds own or control."The congressional monitors found that taxpayers could be at risk of losing money on the $700 million investment. YRC has had financial problems for years, well before the onset of the pandemic, and has been at risk of bankruptcy.Mnuchin defended the loan, saying that YRC meets the criteria for companies deemed essential for national security as the Treasury Department had worked out with the Defense Department and the Office of Director of National Intelligence.He acknowledged that taxpayers could end up losing the money if YRC fails and doesn’t pay it back. “This was a risky loan,” Mnuchin said, but he added, “We’ve been fortunate that the economy recovered. ... Ultimately Treasury and the taxpayers will be very well compensated.”Mnuchin noted that, before the loan was approved this summer, several lawmakers had asked the Treasury Department to help YRC in order to save jobs.Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., a member of the panel who is a former banker, told Mnuchin, “Were I still in finance, I would not have made this loan.”YRC, based in Overland Park, Kansas, provides transportation and logistics services, such as delivering food, electronics and other supplies to military locations around the country. The Defense Department is a major YRC client, and it’s the leading transportation provider to the Department of Homeland Security.The national security portion of Treasury’s corporate aid program, with an available pot of up to $17 billion, had been expected earlier this year to be earmarked for hard-pressed aircraft maker Boeing or for General Electric. They were able to tap the private credit markets and didn’t seek government aid.To qualify for the national security aid, companies should be performing under defense contracts of the highest national priority or operating under top-secret security clearance. YRC apparently didn’t meet either of the criteria but qualified under a “catchall” provision allowing a recommendation and certification from the secretary of defense or the director of national intelligence to be sufficient.The four-member oversight commission was appointed by congressional leaders of both parties to monitor the spending of some $2 trillion in economic aid enacted by Congress last spring and directed by the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve.

Watchdog: Possible Kushner link in loan to Kan. based firm

SALINA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on numerous charges after he stabbed a police officer in Salina.

Just after midnight Sunday, a Salina officer was attempting to make an arrest in the 2100 block of Meadowlark when a physical confrontation ensued, according to a social media report from police.

The suspect stabbed the officer his torso with a knife and attempted to flee but was apprehended.  

Police arrested Miguel Alberto Tostado on requested charges of Aggravated Battery of a Law Enforcement Officer and other felony charges. He is being held in Saline County Jail.

The officer was transported to Salina Regional Hospital where he was treated, released and is expected to make a full recovery.

Police are expected to release additional details Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607869160111.jpeg" alt="Tostado -photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Tostado -photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on numerous charges after he stabbed a police officer in Salina.Just after midnight Sunday, a Salina officer was attempting to make an arrest in the 2100 block of Meadowlark when a physical confrontation ensued, according to a social media report from police.The suspect stabbed the officer his torso with a knife and attempted to flee but was apprehended. Police arrested Miguel Alberto Tostado on requested charges of Aggravated Battery of a Law Enforcement Officer and other felony charges. He is being held in Saline County Jail.The officer was transported to Salina Regional Hospital where he was treated, released and is expected to make a full recovery.Police are expected to release additional details Monday.

Police officer stabbed during arrest in Salina

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a two suspicious deaths in Topeka.

Just before 10:30p.m. Friday, police responded to a report of a possible shooting in the 3800 block of SW Topeka Boulevard, according to Lt. John Trimble.

At the scene, police found a victim with life-threatening injuries. It is unclear at this point what caused the injuries, but that victim died on scene shortly after officers arrived.

Police brought several individuals to the Law Enforcement Center for questioning.

Just after 5:00 a.m., Sunday, police responded to a call for service in the 1400 block of SW Van Buren in Topeka after the report of a deceased man, according to Lt. Shane Hilton. Officers found a man and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives are conducting an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case.

Police have not reported an arrest in either case.

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a two suspicious deaths in Topeka.Just before 10:30p.m. Friday, police responded to a report of a possible shooting in the 3800 block of SW Topeka Boulevard, according to Lt. John Trimble.At the scene, police found a victim with life-threatening injuries. It is unclear at this point what caused the injuries, but that victim died on scene shortly after officers arrived.Police brought several individuals to the Law Enforcement Center for questioning.Just after 5:00 a.m., Sunday, police responded to a call for service in the 1400 block of SW Van Buren in Topeka after the report of a deceased man, according to Lt. Shane Hilton. Officers found a man and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives are conducting an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case.Police have not reported an arrest in either case.

Police investigate 2 suspicious deaths in Topeka

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man was charged in federal court this week with a child sex crime, according to the United State's Attorney's office.

Frederick L. Martin, 25, Sedgwick, Kan., is charged with one count of producing child pornography and one count of committing a crime involving a minor while registered as a sex offender. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in Sedgwick County, Kan., during August through October 2020, after an investigation by Homeland Security.

If convicted, he could face a penalty of not less than 35 years and not more than 60 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of producing child pornography, and an additional 10 years (consecutive) on the other count.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607552320735.png" alt="Martin is being held in Butler Co." />
 <figcaption>Martin is being held in Butler Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man was charged in federal court this week with a child sex crime, according to the United State's Attorney's office.Frederick L. Martin, 25, Sedgwick, Kan., is charged with one count of producing child pornography and one count of committing a crime involving a minor while registered as a sex offender. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in Sedgwick County, Kan., during August through October 2020, after an investigation by Homeland Security.If convicted, he could face a penalty of not less than 35 years and not more than 60 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of producing child pornography, and an additional 10 years (consecutive) on the other count.&nbsp;

Kan. sex offender charged after homeland security investigation

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A northwest Missouri man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison in the death of a woman who was scheduled to testify against him.

Jeremiah Searles,39, of Denver, Missouri, was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the killing of Melissa Chapman, 42. She was missing for about three weeks before her body was found Sept. 14 in Grant City.

Searles admitted killing Chapman by hitting her in the head with a cinder block, according to a news release from Worth County Prosecutor’s Office.

According to court records, Chapman was scheduled to testify against Searles, who faced kidnapping, domestic assault and abuse/neglect of a child charges.

On Thursday, Kimberly Henry-Tinkle, 50, of Grant City, was charged with two felony charges of hindering prosecution, abandonment of a corpse without notifying authorities, and tampering with physical evidence in connection to Chapman’s murder, the prosecutor said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607709551615.png" alt="Searless photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Searless photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A northwest Missouri man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison in the death of a woman who was scheduled to testify against him.Jeremiah Searles,39, of Denver, Missouri, was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the killing of Melissa Chapman, 42. She was missing for about three weeks before her body was found Sept. 14 in Grant City.Searles admitted killing Chapman by hitting her in the head with a cinder block, according to a news release from Worth County Prosecutor’s Office.According to court records, Chapman was scheduled to testify against Searles, who faced kidnapping, domestic assault and abuse/neglect of a child charges.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607813631856.png" alt="Henry-Tinkle photo Daviess-DeKalb Co." />
 <figcaption>Henry-Tinkle photo Daviess-DeKalb Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>On Thursday, Kimberly Henry-Tinkle, 50, of Grant City, was charged with two felony charges of hindering prosecution, abandonment of a corpse without notifying authorities, and tampering with physical evidence in connection to Chapman’s murder, the prosecutor said.

Man sentenced for killing woman set to testify against him

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly released a report Thursday outlining more than 60 recommendations to the state Legislature and local government officials on how to tackle racial justice issues.

The report’s recommendations were crafted by the 15-member Commission on Racial Equity and Justice, which Kelly appointed in June in response to the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The racial justice commission approved the recommendations after five months of bi-weekly meetings and 26 learning sessions with community members, law enforcement representatives and others, according to an announcement.

“I implore legislators and law enforcement agencies across the state to take a close look at these recommendations and see how they can create real change for the communities they serve,” Kelly said in the statement.

The panel recommends against driver’s license suspensions for people who fail to pay fines or fees and against no-knock warrants in drug cases.

The report also recommends against law enforcement agencies using unmarked police vehicles during traffic stops unless police believe they are needed to avoid endangering officers or public safety.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594415416015.png" alt="Governor Laura Kelly and members of her Commission on Racial Equality held their first meeting online in July." />
 <figcaption>Governor Laura Kelly and members of her Commission on Racial Equality held their first meeting online in July.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly released a report Thursday outlining more than 60 recommendations to the state Legislature and local government officials on how to tackle racial justice issues.The report’s recommendations were crafted by the 15-member Commission on Racial Equity and Justice, which Kelly appointed in June in response to the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The racial justice commission approved the recommendations after five months of bi-weekly meetings and 26 learning sessions with community members, law enforcement representatives and others, according to an announcement.“I implore legislators and law enforcement agencies across the state to take a close look at these recommendations and see how they can create real change for the communities they serve,” Kelly said in the statement.The panel recommends against driver’s license suspensions for people who fail to pay fines or fees and against no-knock warrants in drug cases.The report also recommends against law enforcement agencies using unmarked police vehicles during traffic stops unless police believe they are needed to avoid endangering officers or public safety.___

Kansas governor makes racial justice recommendations

NEW YORK (AP) — Charley Pride, country music’s first Black star whose rich baritone on such hits as “Kiss an Angel Good Morning” helped sell millions of records and made him the first Black member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, has died. He was 86.

Pride died Saturday in Dallas of complications from Covid-19, according to Jeremy Westby of the public relations firm 2911 Media.

“I’m so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. It’s even worse to know that he passed away from COVID-19. What a horrible, horrible virus. Charley, we will always love you,” Dolly Parton tweeted.

Pride released dozens of albums and sold more than 25 million records during a career that began in the mid-1960s. Hits besides “Kiss an Angel Good Morning” in 1971 included “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone,” “Burgers and Fries,” “Mountain of Love,” and “Someone Loves You Honey.”

He had three Grammy Awards, more than 30 No. 1 hits between 1969 and 1984, won the Country Music Association’s Top Male Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year awards in 1972 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000.

The Smithsonian in Washington acquired memorabilia from Pride, including a pair of boots and one of his guitars, for the the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Ronnie Milsap called him a “pioneer” and said that without his encouragement, Milsap might never gone to Nashville. “To hear this news tears out a piece of my heart,” he said in a statement.

Until the early 1990s, when Cleve Francis came along, Pride was the only Black country singer signed to a major label.

In 1993, he joined the Grand Ole Opry cast in Nashville.

“They used to ask me how it feels to be the `first colored country singer,‘” he told The Dallas Morning News in 1992. “Then it was `first Negro country singer;’ then `first black country singer.′ Now I’m the `first African-American country singer.′ That’s about the only thing that’s changed. This country is so race-conscious, so ate-up with colors and pigments. I call it `skin hangups’ — it’s a disease.”

Pride was raised in Sledge, Mississippi, the son of a sharecropper. He had seven brothers and three sisters.

In 2008 while accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the Mississippi Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts, Pride said he never focused on race.

“My older sister one time said, ‘Why are you singing THEIR music?’” Pride said. “But we all understand what the y’all-and-us-syndrome has been. See, I never as an individual accepted that, and I truly believe that’s why I am where I am today.”

As a young man before launching his singing career, he was a pitcher and outfielder in the Negro American League with the Memphis Red Sox and in the Pioneer League in Montana.

After playing minor league baseball a couple of years, he ended up in Helena, Montana, where he worked in a zinc smelting plant by day and played country music in nightclubs at night.

After a tryout with the New York Mets, he visited Nashville and broke into country music when Chet Atkins, head of RCA Records, heard two of his demo tapes and signed him.

To ensure that Pride was judged on his music and not his race, his first few singles were sent to radio stations without a publicity photo. After his identity became known, a few country radio stations refused to play his music.

For the most part, though, Pride said he was well received. Early in his career, he would put white audiences at ease when he joked about his “permanent tan.”

“Music is the greatest communicator on the planet Earth,” he said in 1992. “Once people heard the sincerity in my voice and heard me project and watched my delivery, it just dissipated any apprehension or bad feeling they might have had.”

Throughout his career, he sang positive songs instead of sad ones often associated with country music.

“Music is a beautiful way of expressing oneself and I truly believe music should not be taken as a protest,” he told The Associated Press in 1985. “You can go too far in anything — singing, acting, whatever — and become politicized to the point you cease to be an entertainer.”

In 1994, he wrote his autobiography, “Pride: The Charley Pride Story,” in which he disclosed he was mildly manic depressive.

He had surgery in 1997 to remove a tumor from his right vocal cord.

He received the Living Legend award from The Nashville Network/Music City News, recognizing 30 years of achievement, in 1997.

“I’d like to be remembered as a good person who tried to be a good entertainer and made people happy, was a good American who paid his taxes and made a good living,” he said in 1985. “I tried to do my best and contribute my part.”

He is survived by his wife, Rozene, whom he married in 1956; three children, Kraig, Dion and Angela; and several grandchildren.

NEW YORK (AP) — Charley Pride, country music’s first Black star whose rich baritone on such hits as “Kiss an Angel Good Morning” helped sell millions of records and made him the first Black member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, has died. He was 86.Pride died Saturday in Dallas of complications from Covid-19, according to Jeremy Westby of the public relations firm 2911 Media.“I’m so heartbroken that one of my dearest and oldest friends, Charley Pride, has passed away. It’s even worse to know that he passed away from COVID-19. What a horrible, horrible virus. Charley, we will always love you,” Dolly Parton tweeted.Pride released dozens of albums and sold more than 25 million records during a career that began in the mid-1960s. Hits besides “Kiss an Angel Good Morning” in 1971 included “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone,” “Burgers and Fries,” “Mountain of Love,” and “Someone Loves You Honey.”He had three Grammy Awards, more than 30 No. 1 hits between 1969 and 1984, won the Country Music Association’s Top Male Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year awards in 1972 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000.The Smithsonian in Washington acquired memorabilia from Pride, including a pair of boots and one of his guitars, for the the National Museum of African American History and Culture.Ronnie Milsap called him a “pioneer” and said that without his encouragement, Milsap might never gone to Nashville. “To hear this news tears out a piece of my heart,” he said in a statement.Until the early 1990s, when Cleve Francis came along, Pride was the only Black country singer signed to a major label.In 1993, he joined the Grand Ole Opry cast in Nashville.“They used to ask me how it feels to be the `first colored country singer,‘” he told The Dallas Morning News in 1992. “Then it was `first Negro country singer;’ then `first black country singer.′ Now I’m the `first African-American country singer.′ That’s about the only thing that’s changed. This country is so race-conscious, so ate-up with colors and pigments. I call it `skin hangups’ — it’s a disease.”Pride was raised in Sledge, Mississippi, the son of a sharecropper. He had seven brothers and three sisters.In 2008 while accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the Mississippi Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts, Pride said he never focused on race.“My older sister one time said, ‘Why are you singing THEIR music?’” Pride said. “But we all understand what the y’all-and-us-syndrome has been. See, I never as an individual accepted that, and I truly believe that’s why I am where I am today.”As a young man before launching his singing career, he was a pitcher and outfielder in the Negro American League with the Memphis Red Sox and in the Pioneer League in Montana.After playing minor league baseball a couple of years, he ended up in Helena, Montana, where he worked in a zinc smelting plant by day and played country music in nightclubs at night.After a tryout with the New York Mets, he visited Nashville and broke into country music when Chet Atkins, head of RCA Records, heard two of his demo tapes and signed him.To ensure that Pride was judged on his music and not his race, his first few singles were sent to radio stations without a publicity photo. After his identity became known, a few country radio stations refused to play his music.For the most part, though, Pride said he was well received. Early in his career, he would put white audiences at ease when he joked about his “permanent tan.”“Music is the greatest communicator on the planet Earth,” he said in 1992. “Once people heard the sincerity in my voice and heard me project and watched my delivery, it just dissipated any apprehension or bad feeling they might have had.”Throughout his career, he sang positive songs instead of sad ones often associated with country music.“Music is a beautiful way of expressing oneself and I truly believe music should not be taken as a protest,” he told The Associated Press in 1985. “You can go too far in anything — singing, acting, whatever — and become politicized to the point you cease to be an entertainer.”In 1994, he wrote his autobiography, “Pride: The Charley Pride Story,” in which he disclosed he was mildly manic depressive.He had surgery in 1997 to remove a tumor from his right vocal cord.He received the Living Legend award from The Nashville Network/Music City News, recognizing 30 years of achievement, in 1997.“I’d like to be remembered as a good person who tried to be a good entertainer and made people happy, was a good American who paid his taxes and made a good living,” he said in 1985. “I tried to do my best and contribute my part.”He is survived by his wife, Rozene, whom he married in 1956; three children, Kraig, Dion and Angela; and several grandchildren.

Country music legend Charley Pride dies from COVID-19 complications

NEW YORK (AP) — As the coronavirus epidemic worsens, U.S. health experts hope Joe Biden’s administration will put in place something Donald Trump’s has not — a comprehensive national testing strategy.

Such a strategy, they say, could systematically check more people for infections and spot surges before they take off. The health experts say it would be an improvement from the current practice, which has professional athletes and students at elite universities getting routine tests while many other Americans stand in line for hours — if they get tested at all.

“We have had no strategy for this virus. Our strategy has been no strategy,” said Dr. Michael Mina, a Harvard University researcher focused on use of testing to track disease.

Some experts say the lack of such a system is one reason for the current national explosion in cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

“If we’d had a more robust approach and testing was scaled up as one of the tools, I think much of this third surge would have been avoidable,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health.

There are differing opinions on what such a strategy should look like, but many experts say rapid and at-home tests should be used so Americans can check themselves and stay away from others if they test positive.

The president-elect has endorsed that strategy, called for making testing free for all Americans, and said government experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies should be empowered to coordinate the entire effort.

“The reality is we’re not testing enough today,” Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, co-chair of Biden’s coronavirus advisory board,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-pandemics-race-and-ethnicity-vivek-murthy-coronavirus-pandemic-89841e7414f76b84b04def0a8478e391">told The Associated Press</a>.

His transition team so far has not gone into further detail.

Testing was one of the first — and most enduring — stumbles in the federal government’s response to the coronavirus epidemic that hit the nation early this year.

In February, the CDC distributed test kits to public health laboratories that initially were faulty. U.S. officials worked with companies to expand testing, but shortages of chemicals, materials and protective equipment meant fewer tests were available than what experts said was necessary.

Worse, some experts say, states and cities competed against each other to buy limited testing services and materials, and with little guidance or training on how to best use the tests.

In April, President Donald Trump declared governors were responsible for testing. Amid complaints about shortages and delays, the federal government began sourcing and shipping key testing supplies to states, beginning with swabs.

In the latest phase, Trump officials are sending more than 100 million rapid, point-of-care tests to states. The government said the first shipments went out in early October.

Such tests are considered key to slowing spread, but states have distributed them differently. For example, Alaska is sending tests to oil drilling sites, Colorado to local public health agencies for testing homeless populations, and Mississippi to veterans’ homes.

There’s also no federal standard for reporting test data. Some states report the number of tests administered, while others tally the number of people tested. Some have counted types of tests that others don’t, which can skew results because some tests are better at diagnosing active infections than others.

Administration officials say they are proud of the current state of testing. Last month, Vice President Mike Pence celebrated that 170 million tests have been completed, and that an expanding array of tests are available.

But the focus should be less on numbers and more on action, said Dr. Ali Khan, dean of the University of Nebraska College of Public Health.

“It shouldn’t be anybody who needs a test can get a test,” Khan said. “It should be anybody who has a positive test immediately gets isolated” and the people they were in contact with checked and placed in quarantine.

He was echoed by Nunez-Smith, the Biden coronavirus adviser.

“Testing is only useful when we can act on the test,” said Nunez-Smith, a Yale health equity researcher.

Trump himself has voiced a lack of enthusiasm for comprehensive testing. In a June tweet, the president called testing a double-edged sword that is good to have but “makes us look bad.” And Dr. Scott Atlas — a top pandemic adviser to Trump before he resigned Monday — argued against testing people who aren’t experiencing symptoms.

But some regard such thinking as an attempt to spin a leadership failure into something else.

“The executive branch has seen test results – case counts – as a report card on its performance,” said Carl Bergstrom, a University of Washington evolutionary biologist who studies emerging infectious diseases.

The nation may have a coronavirus vaccines available, but that won’t erase the need for testing, said the Rockefeller Foundation’s Eileen O’Connor.

“We’re not going to get everybody vaccinated right away. And we still don’t know how long that immunity will last,” she said. So testing will still be needed to monitor where the infection is active and to see if infections are occurring in vaccinated people.

In July, the Rockefeller Foundation called for making cheap tests widely available to better identify people who are infected and don’t know it. That would involve developing and making cheap antigen tests, which provide quick results but are less reliable than genetic tests. Foundation officials hoped the government would push companies to manufacture tests the same way it has pushed vaccine makers to mass produce experimental vaccines.

Some Harvard researchers believe that testing half the population each week would be possible by mailing those tests to millions of U.S. households.

Participation would be voluntary, and positive results would have to be confirmed with genetic tests — the home tests are not considered as sensitive as more established lab-based testing. Even so, it could dramatically expand the amount of infection monitoring going on across the nation, its proponents say.

During an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health said Americans should have easy tests they can do in their own homes.

“We don’t have that,” he said. “We should have that.”

Versions of such an approach have been tried in some places, including Slovakia and Minnesota. But some experts note there is little precedent for screening tens of millions of people with cheap, rapid tests—which would generate a significant portion of false results. It’s also unclear whether people who test themselves at home will follow instructions to quarantine.

Nearly all experts agree that more data and coordination is needed.

“Having every state do its own thing without guidance from the federal level — from CDC in particular — I think has really hampered us,” said Scott Becker, the chief executive of the Association of Public Health Laboratories. “It is a federal response as much as it is a state response, but it’s a shared responsibility. We need to work together.”

NEW YORK (AP) — As the coronavirus epidemic worsens, U.S. health experts hope Joe Biden’s administration will put in place something Donald Trump’s has not — a comprehensive national testing strategy.Such a strategy, they say, could systematically check more people for infections and spot surges before they take off. The health experts say it would be an improvement from the current practice, which has professional athletes and students at elite universities getting routine tests while many other Americans stand in line for hours — if they get tested at all.“We have had no strategy for this virus. Our strategy has been no strategy,” said Dr. Michael Mina, a Harvard University researcher focused on use of testing to track disease.Some experts say the lack of such a system is one reason for the current national explosion in cases, hospitalizations and deaths.“If we’d had a more robust approach and testing was scaled up as one of the tools, I think much of this third surge would have been avoidable,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health.There are differing opinions on what such a strategy should look like, but many experts say rapid and at-home tests should be used so Americans can check themselves and stay away from others if they test positive.The president-elect has endorsed that strategy, called for making testing free for all Americans, and said government experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies should be empowered to coordinate the entire effort.“The reality is we’re not testing enough today,” Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, co-chair of Biden’s coronavirus advisory board,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-pandemics-race-and-ethnicity-vivek-murthy-coronavirus-pandemic-89841e7414f76b84b04def0a8478e391">told The Associated Press</a>.His transition team so far has not gone into further detail.Testing was one of the first — and most enduring — stumbles in the federal government’s response to the coronavirus epidemic that hit the nation early this year.In February, the CDC distributed test kits to public health laboratories that initially were faulty. U.S. officials worked with companies to expand testing, but shortages of chemicals, materials and protective equipment meant fewer tests were available than what experts said was necessary.Worse, some experts say, states and cities competed against each other to buy limited testing services and materials, and with little guidance or training on how to best use the tests.In April, President Donald Trump declared governors were responsible for testing. Amid complaints about shortages and delays, the federal government began sourcing and shipping key testing supplies to states, beginning with swabs.In the latest phase, Trump officials are sending more than 100 million rapid, point-of-care tests to states. The government said the first shipments went out in early October.Such tests are considered key to slowing spread, but states have distributed them differently. For example, Alaska is sending tests to oil drilling sites, Colorado to local public health agencies for testing homeless populations, and Mississippi to veterans’ homes.There’s also no federal standard for reporting test data. Some states report the number of tests administered, while others tally the number of people tested. Some have counted types of tests that others don’t, which can skew results because some tests are better at diagnosing active infections than others.Administration officials say they are proud of the current state of testing. Last month, Vice President Mike Pence celebrated that 170 million tests have been completed, and that an expanding array of tests are available.But the focus should be less on numbers and more on action, said Dr. Ali Khan, dean of the University of Nebraska College of Public Health.“It shouldn’t be anybody who needs a test can get a test,” Khan said. “It should be anybody who has a positive test immediately gets isolated” and the people they were in contact with checked and placed in quarantine.He was echoed by Nunez-Smith, the Biden coronavirus adviser.“Testing is only useful when we can act on the test,” said Nunez-Smith, a Yale health equity researcher.Trump himself has voiced a lack of enthusiasm for comprehensive testing. In a June tweet, the president called testing a double-edged sword that is good to have but “makes us look bad.” And Dr. Scott Atlas — a top pandemic adviser to Trump before he resigned Monday — argued against testing people who aren’t experiencing symptoms.But some regard such thinking as an attempt to spin a leadership failure into something else.“The executive branch has seen test results – case counts – as a report card on its performance,” said Carl Bergstrom, a University of Washington evolutionary biologist who studies emerging infectious diseases.The nation may have a coronavirus vaccines available, but that won’t erase the need for testing, said the Rockefeller Foundation’s Eileen O’Connor.“We’re not going to get everybody vaccinated right away. And we still don’t know how long that immunity will last,” she said. So testing will still be needed to monitor where the infection is active and to see if infections are occurring in vaccinated people.What should be done moving forward?In July, the Rockefeller Foundation called for making cheap tests widely available to better identify people who are infected and don’t know it. That would involve developing and making cheap antigen tests, which provide quick results but are less reliable than genetic tests. Foundation officials hoped the government would push companies to manufacture tests the same way it has pushed vaccine makers to mass produce experimental vaccines.Some Harvard researchers believe that testing half the population each week would be possible by mailing those tests to millions of U.S. households.Participation would be voluntary, and positive results would have to be confirmed with genetic tests — the home tests are not considered as sensitive as more established lab-based testing. Even so, it could dramatically expand the amount of infection monitoring going on across the nation, its proponents say.During an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health said Americans should have easy tests they can do in their own homes.“We don’t have that,” he said. “We should have that.”Versions of such an approach have been tried in some places, including Slovakia and Minnesota. But some experts note there is little precedent for screening tens of millions of people with cheap, rapid tests—which would generate a significant portion of false results. It’s also unclear whether people who test themselves at home will follow instructions to quarantine.Nearly all experts agree that more data and coordination is needed.“Having every state do its own thing without guidance from the federal level — from CDC in particular — I think has really hampered us,” said Scott Becker, the chief executive of the Association of Public Health Laboratories. “It is a federal response as much as it is a state response, but it’s a shared responsibility. We need to work together.”___

Will the US ever have a national COVID-19 testing strategy?

LINN COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 5:30a.m. Saturday in Linn County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse driven by Brett Michael Johnson, 25, Fort Scott, was northbound on Front Street just north of Green Street in Prescott. 

The vehicle crossed the the roadway to the left and struck a tree.

Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported a passenger Manon E Turpen, 21,&nbsp;Pleasanton, to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Johnson was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

LINN COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 5:30a.m. Saturday in Linn County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse driven by Brett Michael Johnson, 25, Fort Scott, was northbound on Front Street just north of Green Street in Prescott. The vehicle crossed the the roadway to the left and struck a tree.Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Frontier Forensics. EMS transported a passenger Manon E Turpen, 21,&nbsp;Pleasanton, to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. Johnson was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

25-year-old Kan. man dies after car strikes a tree

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged child abuse.

On December 8, 2020, deputies responded to a child abuse call after a three-year-old child arrived at a local hospital with several serious internal and external injuries, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

The child was transported to a Kansas City area hospital for treatment.

Just after 9:30p.m. Thursday, deputies located and arrested Joshua S. McNutt, 41, of Topeka. McNutt was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of felony aggravated endangering a child.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607720595486.png" alt="McNutt photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>McNutt photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged child abuse.On December 8, 2020, deputies responded to a child abuse call after a three-year-old child arrived at a local hospital with several serious internal and external injuries, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.The child was transported to a Kansas City area hospital for treatment.Just after 9:30p.m. Thursday, deputies located and arrested Joshua S. McNutt, 41, of Topeka. McNutt was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of felony aggravated endangering a child.

Police arrest Kan. man after 3-year-old hospitalized

By BRIAN GRIMMETT <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/second-1000-coronavirus-deaths-kansas-came-5-times-faster-first-1000">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA, Kansas — The number of Kansans who have died from COVID-19 topped 2,000 on Friday.

How
 quickly the state passed that milestone — it took the state seven-plus 
months to lose its first 1,000 people to the coronavirus, and little 
more than a month to lose 1,000 more — shows how quickly the spread is 
accelerating.

“There’s just so many more people getting COVID 
right now that inevitably that’s going to lead to more death,” said 
Steve Stites, chief medical officer at the University of Kansas Health 
System.

The number of people who die after contracting the 
disease has remained relatively stable at about 1.9% in the U.S. and 
about 1% in Kansas.

But the rapid increase in the number of new 
deaths mirrors the increases in new cases. In the past two weeks, the 
state has averaged nearly 2,500 new cases a day.

In Kansas, it 
took about six months to go from the first death, to 500 deaths. The 
next 500 took only six weeks. The 500 after that, four weeks. And the 
most recent 500, to get the state over 2,000, took about two and a half 
weeks.

● 1 to 500 - 6 months (3/18/20 to 9/11/20) ● 500 to 1,000 - 6 weeks (9/11/20 to 10/28/20) ● 1,000 to 1,500 - 4 weeks (10/28/20 to 11/25/20) ● 1,500 to 2,000 - 2.5 weeks (11/25/20 to 12/11/20)

The
 rapid rise takes a toll on doctors and nurses in intensive care units 
who have to watch their patients die, while dealing with grieving family
 members.

“It has been palpably more difficult over the last 
month, and even couple of weeks,” said Lewis Satterwhite, a critical 
care physician at the KU Health System hospital.&nbsp;

So far, the 
youngest person to die of COVID in Kansas is 18. But young people dying 
from the disease remains rare. Of the coronavirus deaths in Kansas, 
94.4% have come among people 55 or older. The median age is 80.

<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-12-02/its-becoming-increasingly-hard-to-find-a-nursing-home-in-kansas-where-coronavirus-hasnt-shown-up" target="_blank">Nursing homes remain hot spots</a>.
 Two-thirds of all facilities in the state have had confirmed cases. And
 dozens still have to wait up to a week to receive test results from 
backlogged labs.

Deaths are pretty evenly split between male and 
female, but have hit Black people particularly hard, with a death rate 
of 61.47 per 100,000 people.

Physicians fear that the number of 
daily deaths hasn’t quite peaked yet. Deaths usually lag four to six 
weeks behind spikes in cases.

Almost every Kansas county has a 
percent positive testing rate greater than 10%, a sign of uncontrolled, 
widespread community transmission.

U.S. Department of Health and 
Human Services regional administrator Catherine Satterwhite said 
reducing the spread of the virus is still the best way to reduce the 
number of deaths.

“It’s really important to know,” she said, “that this is not inevitable.”

Brian
 Grimmett reports on the environment, energy and natural resources for 
KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on 
Twitter @briangrimmett or email him at grimmett@kmuw.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607710594610.png" alt="The number of COVID-19 deaths by day in Kansas. Kansas Department of Health and Environment" />
 <figcaption>The number of COVID-19 deaths by day in Kansas. Kansas Department of Health and Environment</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRIAN GRIMMETT <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/second-1000-coronavirus-deaths-kansas-came-5-times-faster-first-1000">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA, Kansas — The number of Kansans who have died from COVID-19 topped 2,000 on Friday.How
 quickly the state passed that milestone — it took the state seven-plus 
months to lose its first 1,000 people to the coronavirus, and little 
more than a month to lose 1,000 more — shows how quickly the spread is 
accelerating.“There’s just so many more people getting COVID 
right now that inevitably that’s going to lead to more death,” said 
Steve Stites, chief medical officer at the University of Kansas Health 
System.The number of people who die after contracting the 
disease has remained relatively stable at about 1.9% in the U.S. and 
about 1% in Kansas.But the rapid increase in the number of new 
deaths mirrors the increases in new cases. In the past two weeks, the 
state has averaged nearly 2,500 new cases a day.In Kansas, it 
took about six months to go from the first death, to 500 deaths. The 
next 500 took only six weeks. The 500 after that, four weeks. And the 
most recent 500, to get the state over 2,000, took about two and a half 
weeks.● 1 to 500 - 6 months (3/18/20 to 9/11/20) ● 500 to 1,000 - 6 weeks (9/11/20 to 10/28/20) ● 1,000 to 1,500 - 4 weeks (10/28/20 to 11/25/20) ● 1,500 to 2,000 - 2.5 weeks (11/25/20 to 12/11/20)The
 rapid rise takes a toll on doctors and nurses in intensive care units 
who have to watch their patients die, while dealing with grieving family
 members.“It has been palpably more difficult over the last 
month, and even couple of weeks,” said Lewis Satterwhite, a critical 
care physician at the KU Health System hospital.&nbsp;So far, the 
youngest person to die of COVID in Kansas is 18. But young people dying 
from the disease remains rare. Of the coronavirus deaths in Kansas, 
94.4% have come among people 55 or older. The median age is 80.<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-12-02/its-becoming-increasingly-hard-to-find-a-nursing-home-in-kansas-where-coronavirus-hasnt-shown-up" target="_blank">Nursing homes remain hot spots</a>.
 Two-thirds of all facilities in the state have had confirmed cases. And
 dozens still have to wait up to a week to receive test results from 
backlogged labs.Deaths are pretty evenly split between male and 
female, but have hit Black people particularly hard, with a death rate 
of 61.47 per 100,000 people.Physicians fear that the number of 
daily deaths hasn’t quite peaked yet. Deaths usually lag four to six 
weeks behind spikes in cases.Almost every Kansas county has a 
percent positive testing rate greater than 10%, a sign of uncontrolled, 
widespread community transmission.U.S. Department of Health and 
Human Services regional administrator Catherine Satterwhite said 
reducing the spread of the virus is still the best way to reduce the 
number of deaths.“It’s really important to know,” she said, “that this is not inevitable.”Brian
 Grimmett reports on the environment, energy and natural resources for 
KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on 
Twitter @briangrimmett or email him at grimmett@kmuw.org.

Second 1,000 virus deaths in Kan. came 5 times faster than first 1,000 

TOPEKA – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt issued the following statement on Friday’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court not to hear a lawsuit brought by Texas challenging presidential election procedures in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin:

“As I said Wednesday, Kansas filed a brief in this case, as we have in others, seeking an answer to an important and potentially recurring federal constitutional question involving the role of states in federal elections. My office also received more than 15,000 calls and emails urging us to ask the Supreme Court to hear the Texas arguments. Today the Supreme Court decided not to become involved in the 2020 election, and the Court’s decision means it is time to put this election behind us.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583409290272.jpeg" alt="Kansas AG Derek Schmidt" />
 <figcaption>Kansas AG Derek Schmidt</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt issued the following statement on Friday’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court not to hear a lawsuit brought by Texas challenging presidential election procedures in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin: “As I said Wednesday, Kansas filed a brief in this case, as we have in others, seeking an answer to an important and potentially recurring federal constitutional question involving the role of states in federal elections. My office also received more than 15,000 calls and emails urging us to ask the Supreme Court to hear the Texas arguments. Today the Supreme Court decided not to become involved in the 2020 election, and the Court’s decision means it is time to put this election behind us.”

Kansas AG: It's time to put the 2020 election behind us

State Rep. Rahjes’ infection at issue after meetings of House, Senate

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/11/kansas-house-leaders-warn-members-after-gop-colleague-tests-positive-for-covid-19/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas House speaker sent a letter to colleagues Friday notifying them a representative attending organizational meetings at the statehouse earlier in the week tested positive for COVID-19.

The letter was designed to inform lawmakers at meetings Monday to select new leadership for the 2021 legislative session about the potential of being infected with coronavirus. Returning and first-time members of the House and Senate convened before breaking into partisan Republican and Democratic caucuses to debate, nominate and vote on top legislative offices.

House Speaker Ron Ryckman, an Olathe Republican who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this year, said the Kansas Department of Health and Environment had been notified that the legislator tested positive.

“We have received word that a case of COVID-19 has been confirmed among those attending the legislative preorganization meeting on Monday,” Ryckman’s letter said. “People who were close contacts, defined as being within 6 feet for 10 minutes or more, have been notified that they are a close contact and will be monitored by public health.”

People not considered a close contact of the infected legislator, who wasn’t named in the letter from Ryckman, were told it was unnecessary to quarantine at this time. Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 was urged to see a health provider, the letter said. It also said people could develop the illness five to seven days after exposure, but it could take longer.

House Speaker Ron Ryckman, an Olathe Republican, sent a letter Friday to House members notifying them that a representative attending Monday organizational meetings had tested positive for COVID-19. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)

The notice to members of the House was issued after testing confirmed Rep. Ken Rahjes, a Republican from Agra, had contracted coronavirus. He wasn’t immediately available to comment on his COVID-19 diagnosis.

Photographs affirm Rahjes was wearing a mask on the House floor as GOP lawmakers considered who would serve as speaker, majority leader and in other posts for the session starting in January.

In addition to spending the day at the Capitol on Monday, Rahjes was a guest at the Kansas State University football game last Saturday in Manhattan.

Not all legislators in the statehouse meetings adhered to common public health recommendations to wear a face covering. At least one legislator battling COVID-19, Sen. Larry Alley of Winfield, didn’t attend the meetings. Others with fragile medical conditions stayed away.

The issue of face coverings could be a potent point of contention when the 2021 session begins, with some objecting to any form of mask mandate and others demanding a requirement. As the virus has infected more Kansans, especially in rural areas of the state, a larger segment of legislators have worn a mask in public. Early in the pandemic, many Republicans refused as nearly all Democrats work a mask. The doubling of COVID-19 cases and fatalities in Kansas since Nov. 1 prompted additional legislators to comply with KDHE recommendations on masks.

Rep. Nick Hoheisel, a Wichita Republican who has a desk on the House floor near Rahjes, said he wore a mask throughout the day and intended to comply with suggestions to wash hands and keep a distance from others due to the pandemic. He said he was an advocate for masks, even if it was modestly effective in discouraging spread of coronavirus.

“I truly believe wearing a mask is a good idea,” he said. “I’m a personal responsibility person. Perhaps it shouldn’t be mandated, but we should take it upon ourselves.”

Sen. Tom Hawk, a Manhattan Democrat, said he was suprised by the number of Senate colleagues not wearing a mask when the chamber gaveled in Monday for the leadership caucuses.

Sen. Tom Hawk, a Manhattan Democrat, said all people entering the Capitol during the upcoming 2021 legislative session should be required to wear a face covering due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

All members of the Legislature should be required to wear a face covering in the Capitol, he said, because legislative staff, security personnel and anyone else in the building was expected to do so.

“I’m not going to be around people not wearing a mask,” Hawk said.

Rep. Steven Johnson, an Assaria Republican who endured a case of COVID-19, said all but one member of House leadership wore a mask during the Monday meetings. The inconsistency on mask wearing among rank-and-file members of the House is a concern, he said, but can be remedied by application of a mask rule covering the Capitol.

“Absolutely, absolutely,” Johnson said. “It’s a no-brainer. It has nothing to do with liberty. You’ve got to use the tools you’ve got.”

Senate President-elect Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, said he would support a program of regularly testing legislators and legislative staff when the session convened. Imposing heavy limitations on people entering the Capitol, such as a mask mandate, does interfere with personal liberty, he said.

“I think it’s better to test,” Masterson said. “I’d like to have testing on a regular basis so we can operate as close to normal as possible. I don’t care if you’re in a mask-mandate county or not, people are getting COVID. It’s not a protection. What we need to do … is to test.”

On Friday, KDHE reported the number of COVID-19 fatalities had risen to 2,072, an increase of 131 since Wednesday. The number of coronavirus-positive people in Kansas expanded to 185,294, which was a surge of 5,491 over a two-day period.

Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607727601593.png" alt="Republican state Rep. Ken Rahjes, walking at far left in this image, tested positive for COVID-19 after attending meetings Monday at the Capitol to select House and Senate leaders for the 2021 session. House GOP officials issues a letter warning lawmakers of possible exposure to the coronavirus. (Screenshot by Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Republican state Rep. Ken Rahjes, walking at far left in this image, tested positive for COVID-19 after attending meetings Monday at the Capitol to select House and Senate leaders for the 2021 session. House GOP officials issues a letter warning lawmakers of possible exposure to the coronavirus. (Screenshot by Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>State Rep. Rahjes’ infection at issue after meetings of House, Senate</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/12/11/kansas-house-leaders-warn-members-after-gop-colleague-tests-positive-for-covid-19/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas House speaker sent a letter to colleagues Friday notifying them a representative attending organizational meetings at the statehouse earlier in the week tested positive for COVID-19.The letter was designed to inform lawmakers at meetings Monday to select new leadership for the 2021 legislative session about the potential of being infected with coronavirus. Returning and first-time members of the House and Senate convened before breaking into partisan Republican and Democratic caucuses to debate, nominate and vote on top legislative offices.House Speaker Ron Ryckman, an Olathe Republican who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this year, said the Kansas Department of Health and Environment had been notified that the legislator tested positive.“We have received word that a case of COVID-19 has been confirmed among those attending the legislative preorganization meeting on Monday,” Ryckman’s letter said. “People who were close contacts, defined as being within 6 feet for 10 minutes or more, have been notified that they are a close contact and will be monitored by public health.”People not considered a close contact of the infected legislator, who wasn’t named in the letter from Ryckman, were told it was unnecessary to quarantine at this time. Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 was urged to see a health provider, the letter said. It also said people could develop the illness five to seven days after exposure, but it could take longer.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607727654763.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>House Speaker Ron Ryckman, an Olathe Republican, sent a letter Friday to House members notifying them that a representative attending Monday organizational meetings had tested positive for COVID-19. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)The notice to members of the House was issued after testing confirmed Rep. Ken Rahjes, a Republican from Agra, had contracted coronavirus. He wasn’t immediately available to comment on his COVID-19 diagnosis.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581437228209.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, 110th DistrictPhotographs affirm Rahjes was wearing a mask on the House floor as GOP lawmakers considered who would serve as speaker, majority leader and in other posts for the session starting in January.In addition to spending the day at the Capitol on Monday, Rahjes was a guest at the Kansas State University football game last Saturday in Manhattan.Not all legislators in the statehouse meetings adhered to common public health recommendations to wear a face covering. At least one legislator battling COVID-19, Sen. Larry Alley of Winfield, didn’t attend the meetings. Others with fragile medical conditions stayed away.The issue of face coverings could be a potent point of contention when the 2021 session begins, with some objecting to any form of mask mandate and others demanding a requirement. As the virus has infected more Kansans, especially in rural areas of the state, a larger segment of legislators have worn a mask in public. Early in the pandemic, many Republicans refused as nearly all Democrats work a mask. The doubling of COVID-19 cases and fatalities in Kansas since Nov. 1 prompted additional legislators to comply with KDHE recommendations on masks.Rep. Nick Hoheisel, a Wichita Republican who has a desk on the House floor near Rahjes, said he wore a mask throughout the day and intended to comply with suggestions to wash hands and keep a distance from others due to the pandemic. He said he was an advocate for masks, even if it was modestly effective in discouraging spread of coronavirus.“I truly believe wearing a mask is a good idea,” he said. “I’m a personal responsibility person. Perhaps it shouldn’t be mandated, but we should take it upon ourselves.”Sen. Tom Hawk, a Manhattan Democrat, said he was suprised by the number of Senate colleagues not wearing a mask when the chamber gaveled in Monday for the leadership caucuses.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607727691674.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Sen. Tom Hawk, a Manhattan Democrat, said all people entering the Capitol during the upcoming 2021 legislative session should be required to wear a face covering due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)All members of the Legislature should be required to wear a face covering in the Capitol, he said, because legislative staff, security personnel and anyone else in the building was expected to do so.“I’m not going to be around people not wearing a mask,” Hawk said.Rep. Steven Johnson, an Assaria Republican who endured a case of COVID-19, said all but one member of House leadership wore a mask during the Monday meetings. The inconsistency on mask wearing among rank-and-file members of the House is a concern, he said, but can be remedied by application of a mask rule covering the Capitol.“Absolutely, absolutely,” Johnson said. “It’s a no-brainer. It has nothing to do with liberty. You’ve got to use the tools you’ve got.”Senate President-elect Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, said he would support a program of regularly testing legislators and legislative staff when the session convened. Imposing heavy limitations on people entering the Capitol, such as a mask mandate, does interfere with personal liberty, he said.“I think it’s better to test,” Masterson said. “I’d like to have testing on a regular basis so we can operate as close to normal as possible. I don’t care if you’re in a mask-mandate county or not, people are getting COVID. It’s not a protection. What we need to do … is to test.”On Friday, KDHE reported the number of COVID-19 fatalities had risen to 2,072, an increase of 131 since Wednesday. The number of coronavirus-positive people in Kansas expanded to 185,294, which was a surge of 5,491 over a two-day period.Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.&nbsp;

Kan. House leader warns legislators after Rahjes tests positive for COVID-19

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — It's not unusual for officers to pull over suspected drunken drivers on the highways of Kansas. But it is fairly rare to bust a suspected drunken driver while he's driving a riding lawnmower. 

That's what Shawnee County Sheriff's deputies say they encountered Wednesday afternoon when they spotted a man later identified as 25-year-old Dalton D. Hunt, according to arrest records, driving a lawnmower on the southbound shoulder of U.S. Highway 75 near Topeka. 

Deputies stopped and arrested him on suspicion of driving under the influence after he failed a field sobriety test.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607701911298.png" alt="Hunt-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Hunt-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — It's not unusual for officers to pull over suspected drunken drivers on the highways of Kansas. But it is fairly rare to bust a suspected drunken driver while he's driving a riding lawnmower. That's what Shawnee County Sheriff's deputies say they encountered Wednesday afternoon when they spotted a man later identified as 25-year-old Dalton D. Hunt, according to arrest records, driving a lawnmower on the southbound shoulder of U.S. Highway 75 near Topeka. Deputies stopped and arrested him on suspicion of driving under the influence after he failed a field sobriety test.

Deputies arrest man riding lawnmower on Kansas highway

TOPEKA&nbsp;- Kansas Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard took swift action to address allegations of document falsification by employees of St. Francis Ministries (SFM), one of the agency’s foster care case management providers, according to a media release from DCF.

“In mid-November, my agency was made aware of instances where an SFM employee falsified documents to show they had visited with families when they had in fact not made those visits,” Howard said. “Given the seriousness of these allegations I instructed my deputy secretary to immediately begin an investigation.”

After engaging with SFM, DCF learned that SFM was already aware of the allegations and had begun an inquiry at its Salina office. SFM supervisors immediately began contacting foster care providers to confirm visits were being conducted. During the investigation, SFM discovered that one employee did not visit 28 children who were living with 11 different foster care providers. This worker had documented 165 contacts with those children between February and October of 2020 that did not occur. The worker was fired by SFM.

SFM also discovered during its inquiry another case of an employee failing to meet with foster care providers. The employee was fired from the agency in August.

SFM continues its work in Saline County to review each case file to reconcile information from providers with dates of contacts by SFM employees in the case file documentation. The inquiry has so far not turned up any additional instances of document falsification. The case review has shown:

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;69% of placements interviewed expressed seeing a member of the Saint Francis case team on a monthly&nbsp;basis.

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;78% of fathers interviewed expressed seeing a member of the Saint Francis case team on a monthly&nbsp;basis.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594298004787.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;- Kansas Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard took swift action to address allegations of document falsification by employees of St. Francis Ministries (SFM), one of the agency’s foster care case management providers, according to a media release from DCF.“In mid-November, my agency was made aware of instances where an SFM employee falsified documents to show they had visited with families when they had in fact not made those visits,” Howard said. “Given the seriousness of these allegations I instructed my deputy secretary to immediately begin an investigation.”After engaging with SFM, DCF learned that SFM was already aware of the allegations and had begun an inquiry at its Salina office. SFM supervisors immediately began contacting foster care providers to confirm visits were being conducted. During the investigation, SFM discovered that one employee did not visit 28 children who were living with 11 different foster care providers. This worker had documented 165 contacts with those children between February and October of 2020 that did not occur. The worker was fired by SFM.SFM also discovered during its inquiry another case of an employee failing to meet with foster care providers. The employee was fired from the agency in August.SFM continues its work in Saline County to review each case file to reconcile information from providers with dates of contacts by SFM employees in the case file documentation. The inquiry has so far not turned up any additional instances of document falsification. The case review has shown:·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;69% of placements interviewed expressed seeing a member of the Saint Francis case team on a monthly&nbsp;basis.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;78% of fathers interviewed expressed seeing a member of the Saint Francis case team on a monthly&nbsp;basis.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;86% of mothers interviewed expressed seeing a member of the Saint Francis case team on a monthly&nbsp;basis.DCF has taken additional steps including:·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Requesting information related to methods, sampling figures and findings of St. Francis’ case&nbsp;reviews.·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;DCF’s&nbsp;Audit&nbsp;Services&nbsp;Child&nbsp;Welfare&nbsp;Compliance&nbsp;Team&nbsp;and&nbsp;Quality&nbsp;Assurance&nbsp;Team&nbsp;will&nbsp;serve&nbsp;as&nbsp;peer&nbsp;reviewers&nbsp;assisting&nbsp;in&nbsp;contacting&nbsp;providers&nbsp;as&nbsp;part&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;case&nbsp;review&nbsp;process.Financial Mismanagement InvestigationAdditionally, Secretary Howard has communicated with St. Francis Ministries interim president/CEO William Clark and Board President Dr. Greg Meissen insisting the agency provide full access to all SFM internal reports and investigation findings pertaining to the expenditure of any monies received by SFM pursuant to its grant with DCF and SFM’s financial stability.“My agency will not rest until we are assured that Kansas taxpayer funds have been properly spent by SFM,” Howard said. “We know SFM to be good partners and we look forward to full transparency as it relates to both their fiscal affairs and documentation issues.”