WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation got another dose of bad economic news Thursday as the number of laid-off workers seeking jobless benefits rose for the first time since late March, intensifying concerns the resurgent coronavirus is stalling or even reversing the economic recovery.

And an extra $600 in weekly unemployment benefits, provided by the federal government on top of whatever assistance states provide, is set to expire July 31, though this is the last week recipients will get the extra funds. It is the last major source of economic help from the $2 trillion relief package that Congress approved in March. A small business lending program and one-time $1,200 payment have largely run their course.

With the count of U.S. infections passing 4 million and the aid ending, nearly 30 million unemployed people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0f7785a3823891bbb46cf3cc5fea68ea">could struggle to pay rent</a>, utilities or other bills, and economists worry that overall consumer spending will drop, adding another economic blow.

“I’m going to be broke,” said Melissa Bennett, who was laid off from her job at a vacation time-share in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. “I’ll be broke-broke. I want to go to work, I want health insurance, I want a 401K. I want a life; I have no life right now.”

Without the extra unemployment benefits, Bennett will receive just $200 a week, and she’ll have to decide whether to pay her mortgage or her utilities first.

More than 1.4 million people applied for jobless benefits last week, the Labor Department&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dol.gov/ui/data.pdf" target="_blank">said Thursday</a>, up from 1.3 million the previous week. That is the first increase since March and 18th straight week that it has topped 1 million. Before the pandemic, applications had never exceeded 700,000. An additional 975,000 people applied for aid under a separate program that has made self-employed and gig workers eligible for the first time.

The news sent stocks slumping on Wall Street, with the S&amp;P 500 recording its worst loss in nearly four weeks. Uncertainty across markets helped gold touch its highest price in nearly nine years.

The weakening of the labor market has raised fears the economy will shed jobs again in July, after two sharp hiring gains in May and June.

Analysts say the economy can’t improve until authorities can control the spread of the virus, a need that is complicating the reopening of businesses and schools.

Adm. Brett Giroir, assistant secretary of health and a member of the Trump administration’s coronavirus task force, even suggested another shutdown might be necessary. He noted that nearly universal mask-wearing, sharp restrictions on restaurant occupancy and shutting down bars were nearly as effective in controlling the virus as another shutdown of all nonessential businesses.

“Now, if you don’t do that, and people don’t achieve those goals, particularly mask-wearing, there may be no alternative,” Giroir said on MSNBC.

Congress is negotiating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b3ef7ed649eca2c3ee6438408243df8a">another aid package</a>&nbsp;that could extend the extra unemployment support, though likely at less than $600. With the extra $600, roughly two-thirds of the unemployed are receiving more than they earned at their former jobs, research has shown. Republicans argue that it’s discouraging people from returning to work.

On Thursday, Senate Republicans unveiled a $1 trillion package that would replace the $600 with an amount that would bring a laid-off worker’s jobless benefits to 70% of their previous income. Both parties have agreed on another $1,200 stimulus check.

Democrats in the House approved a $3 trillion package last month that would extend the $600 through January. Given the limited time available, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin urged a bill dealing with jobless benefits and aid to schools be considered next week. Democrats say the Republican plans are not enough.

The economic woes come as outbreaks worsen, particularly in the South and West. Florida officials reported 173 new virus deaths Thursday, a daily high that brings the overall number to more than 5,500. With cases surging, President Donald Trump scrapped plans for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fc18446b58a6c265b054934780f51ca8">Republican National Convention</a>&nbsp;celebration in the state.

California saw a record 157 new deaths, raising its toll to 8,027. An additional 89 deaths in Arizona pushed its total to 3,000, with over 1,000 deaths reported in the past 15 days.

Desperate to stop the spread of the virus and its resulting economic impact, more states are adding or broadening mask requirements. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9126a38ef22c244f9ca18f9584061f8d">new survey</a>&nbsp;from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research says three out of four Americans, including a majority of Republicans, favor requiring people to wear face coverings outside their homes.

In a small step toward normalcy, many Americans eagerly welcomed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/62d86588e4926d68875a8cf0ce985746">baseball’s opening day</a>, which arrived four months late.

In contrast to the U.S., the outlook has brightened for some other major economies. Europe is forecast to rebound next year after it managed to shrink its coronavirus caseload. Unemployment in the 19 countries that use the euro has remained contained, reflecting aggressive government efforts to keep workers on payrolls.

China has become the first major economy to grow since the start of the pandemic. Economists say China will likely recover relatively fast because of the Communist Party’s move to impose early and intensive anti-disease measures.

In the U.S., applications for unemployment benefits declined in many states hard hit by the virus, including Texas, Florida, Georgia and Arizona. But claims rose in other states seeing increases, including Louisiana, California and Tennessee.

The U.S. government said the total number of people receiving jobless benefits fell 1.1 million, to 16.2 million. It’s a hopeful sign that even as layoffs remain high, some companies are recalling workers. Yet that figure is still roughly 10 times what it was before the pandemic.

Unemployment aid accounted for 6% of all U.S. income in May, a greater share than even Social Security. Economists say it’s one reason why retail spending rebounded as quickly as it did in May and June.

The end of the added benefit coincides with the expiration of a federal moratorium on evictions Saturday. Without it, about 22 million people are at risk of losing their federally subsidized housing.

“It’s scary, it’s really scary,” said Victorita Raaen, 46, who was laid off in March from her job as a light and sound technician in Boise, Idaho.

The extra payments helped her build a thin financial cushion, but once it goes away, things will get significantly tighter. She figures she can live on ramen, hot dogs and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a while but might not be able to pay for gas.

“I want to go back to work,” she said. “I’d rather go back than sitting here earning unemployment.”

Real-time measures of the economy suggest companies are pulling back on hiring and more small businesses are closing permanently. Credit card spending has been stuck at about 10% below year-ago levels for nearly a month, according to JPMorgan Chase, after having risen steadily from mid-April to mid-June.

Data from the consumer-review website Yelp, which tracks millions of small businesses, shows more such companies are permanently shutting down. Nearly 73,000 small businesses have closed for good since the pandemic intensified in March, up 28% from mid-June.

“Every time a business closes, that makes the recovery longer and harder, so that worries me,” said Ernie Tedeschi, an economist at the investment bank Evercore ISI.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation got another dose of bad economic news Thursday as the number of laid-off workers seeking jobless benefits rose for the first time since late March, intensifying concerns the resurgent coronavirus is stalling or even reversing the economic recovery.And an extra $600 in weekly unemployment benefits, provided by the federal government on top of whatever assistance states provide, is set to expire July 31, though this is the last week recipients will get the extra funds. It is the last major source of economic help from the $2 trillion relief package that Congress approved in March. A small business lending program and one-time $1,200 payment have largely run their course.With the count of U.S. infections passing 4 million and the aid ending, nearly 30 million unemployed people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0f7785a3823891bbb46cf3cc5fea68ea">could struggle to pay rent</a>, utilities or other bills, and economists worry that overall consumer spending will drop, adding another economic blow.“I’m going to be broke,” said Melissa Bennett, who was laid off from her job at a vacation time-share in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. “I’ll be broke-broke. I want to go to work, I want health insurance, I want a 401K. I want a life; I have no life right now.”Without the extra unemployment benefits, Bennett will receive just $200 a week, and she’ll have to decide whether to pay her mortgage or her utilities first.More than 1.4 million people applied for jobless benefits last week, the Labor Department&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dol.gov/ui/data.pdf" target="_blank">said Thursday</a>, up from 1.3 million the previous week. That is the first increase since March and 18th straight week that it has topped 1 million. Before the pandemic, applications had never exceeded 700,000. An additional 975,000 people applied for aid under a separate program that has made self-employed and gig workers eligible for the first time.The news sent stocks slumping on Wall Street, with the S&amp;P 500 recording its worst loss in nearly four weeks. Uncertainty across markets helped gold touch its highest price in nearly nine years.The weakening of the labor market has raised fears the economy will shed jobs again in July, after two sharp hiring gains in May and June.Analysts say the economy can’t improve until authorities can control the spread of the virus, a need that is complicating the reopening of businesses and schools.Adm. Brett Giroir, assistant secretary of health and a member of the Trump administration’s coronavirus task force, even suggested another shutdown might be necessary. He noted that nearly universal mask-wearing, sharp restrictions on restaurant occupancy and shutting down bars were nearly as effective in controlling the virus as another shutdown of all nonessential businesses.“Now, if you don’t do that, and people don’t achieve those goals, particularly mask-wearing, there may be no alternative,” Giroir said on MSNBC.Congress is negotiating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b3ef7ed649eca2c3ee6438408243df8a">another aid package</a>&nbsp;that could extend the extra unemployment support, though likely at less than $600. With the extra $600, roughly two-thirds of the unemployed are receiving more than they earned at their former jobs, research has shown. Republicans argue that it’s discouraging people from returning to work.On Thursday, Senate Republicans unveiled a $1 trillion package that would replace the $600 with an amount that would bring a laid-off worker’s jobless benefits to 70% of their previous income. Both parties have agreed on another $1,200 stimulus check.Democrats in the House approved a $3 trillion package last month that would extend the $600 through January. Given the limited time available, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin urged a bill dealing with jobless benefits and aid to schools be considered next week. Democrats say the Republican plans are not enough.The economic woes come as outbreaks worsen, particularly in the South and West. Florida officials reported 173 new virus deaths Thursday, a daily high that brings the overall number to more than 5,500. With cases surging, President Donald Trump scrapped plans for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fc18446b58a6c265b054934780f51ca8">Republican National Convention</a>&nbsp;celebration in the state.California saw a record 157 new deaths, raising its toll to 8,027. An additional 89 deaths in Arizona pushed its total to 3,000, with over 1,000 deaths reported in the past 15 days.Desperate to stop the spread of the virus and its resulting economic impact, more states are adding or broadening mask requirements. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9126a38ef22c244f9ca18f9584061f8d">new survey</a>&nbsp;from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research says three out of four Americans, including a majority of Republicans, favor requiring people to wear face coverings outside their homes.In a small step toward normalcy, many Americans eagerly welcomed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/62d86588e4926d68875a8cf0ce985746">baseball’s opening day</a>, which arrived four months late.In contrast to the U.S., the outlook has brightened for some other major economies. Europe is forecast to rebound next year after it managed to shrink its coronavirus caseload. Unemployment in the 19 countries that use the euro has remained contained, reflecting aggressive government efforts to keep workers on payrolls.China has become the first major economy to grow since the start of the pandemic. Economists say China will likely recover relatively fast because of the Communist Party’s move to impose early and intensive anti-disease measures.In the U.S., applications for unemployment benefits declined in many states hard hit by the virus, including Texas, Florida, Georgia and Arizona. But claims rose in other states seeing increases, including Louisiana, California and Tennessee.The U.S. government said the total number of people receiving jobless benefits fell 1.1 million, to 16.2 million. It’s a hopeful sign that even as layoffs remain high, some companies are recalling workers. Yet that figure is still roughly 10 times what it was before the pandemic.Unemployment aid accounted for 6% of all U.S. income in May, a greater share than even Social Security. Economists say it’s one reason why retail spending rebounded as quickly as it did in May and June.The end of the added benefit coincides with the expiration of a federal moratorium on evictions Saturday. Without it, about 22 million people are at risk of losing their federally subsidized housing.“It’s scary, it’s really scary,” said Victorita Raaen, 46, who was laid off in March from her job as a light and sound technician in Boise, Idaho.The extra payments helped her build a thin financial cushion, but once it goes away, things will get significantly tighter. She figures she can live on ramen, hot dogs and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a while but might not be able to pay for gas.“I want to go back to work,” she said. “I’d rather go back than sitting here earning unemployment.”Real-time measures of the economy suggest companies are pulling back on hiring and more small businesses are closing permanently. Credit card spending has been stuck at about 10% below year-ago levels for nearly a month, according to JPMorgan Chase, after having risen steadily from mid-April to mid-June.Data from the consumer-review website Yelp, which tracks millions of small businesses, shows more such companies are permanently shutting down. Nearly 73,000 small businesses have closed for good since the pandemic intensified in March, up 28% from mid-June.“Every time a business closes, that makes the recovery longer and harder, so that worries me,” said Ernie Tedeschi, an economist at the investment bank Evercore ISI.

Jobless claims rise as cutoff of extra $600 benefit nears

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Sentencing is scheduled August 14 for a Kansas woman&nbsp;convicted of first-degree murder in the decapitation death of her ex-boyfriend's mother, whose head she left in the kitchen sink.

The judge has said he would allow family members of the victim to be in the courtroom for the sentencing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Rachael Hilyard cut off 63-year-old Micki Davis' head using two steak knives on April 9, 2017.

A prosecutor said the 38-year-old Hilyard attacked Davis without provocation then grabbed a knife “to finish what she started.”

Hilyard testified that she thought Davis was dead when she cut off her head. Her defense attorney says his client made bad decisions with horrible consequences.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) —A Kansas woman has been convicted of first-degree murder in the decapitation death of her ex-boyfriend's mother, whose head she left in the kitchen sink.

Prosecutors say Rachael Hilyard cut off 63-year-old Micki Davis' head using two steak knives on April 9, 2017. Hilyard was convicted Thursday and sentencing is set for March 27.

Wichita, Kan. (AP) —A Kansas woman on trial in the decapitation of her ex-boyfriend's mother told jurors that she “had to hurry to let her soul out"and that she thought there were people watching her out of her own eyes through a cellphone app. 

38-year-old Rachael Hilyard, of Wichita, referred repeatedly to “things" that she said would give her suggestions or orders when she took the stand Wednesday. 

She is charged with first-degree murder in the April 2017 killing of 63-year-old Micki Davis. The jury was to hear closing arguments and start deliberating Thursday.

Hilyard is being held on $550,000 bond. She has four previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Wichita, Kan. (AP) —Prosecutors say a Kansas woman should be convicted of first-degree murder for decapitating her ex-boyfriend's mother after demanding that the victim come over and pick up her son's stuff.

The trial for Rachael Hilyard, of Wichita, got underway Tuesday. Defense attorney Quentin Pittman didn't dispute that Hilyard killed 63-year-old Micki Davis and told them he anticipated they would find her guilty of the “appropriate charge."

But he didn't say what that charge might be during a brief opening statement.

Prosecutors introduced evidence including testimony from the police officers who discovered Davis’ body in Hilyard’s garage, a taped law enforcement interview with Davis' 9-year-old grandson who called 911 when Hilyard attacked his grandmother, and photos of the crime scene.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The jury trial for a Kansas woman accused in the decapitation death of her ex-boyfriend's mother is underway in Sedgwick County, according to the district attorney's office.

Rachel Hilyard, 37, Wichita is charged with first-degree murder in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d9ed97a0e14942289d7571567dd0686e">April 2017</a>&nbsp;death of 63-year-old Micki Davis.

Davis was attacked after she went with her 9-year-old grandson to a home to retrieve property belonging to her son. The boy ran away and called 911.

Police found Davis’ body in a garage and her head in the kitchen sink.&nbsp;

In August, Hilyard underwent a mental health evaluation at Larned State Hospital and then a judge  ruled that she was competent to stand trial.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580834020411.png" alt="Rachel Hilyard photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Rachel Hilyard photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Sentencing is scheduled August 14 for a Kansas woman&nbsp;convicted of first-degree murder in the decapitation death of her ex-boyfriend's mother, whose head she left in the kitchen sink.The judge has said he would allow family members of the victim to be in the courtroom for the sentencing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Rachael Hilyard cut off 63-year-old Micki Davis' head using two steak knives on April 9, 2017.A prosecutor said the 38-year-old Hilyard attacked Davis without provocation then grabbed a knife “to finish what she started.”Hilyard testified that she thought Davis was dead when she cut off her head. Her defense attorney says his client made bad decisions with horrible consequences.--------WICHITA, Kan. (AP) —A Kansas woman has been convicted of first-degree murder in the decapitation death of her ex-boyfriend's mother, whose head she left in the kitchen sink.Prosecutors say Rachael Hilyard cut off 63-year-old Micki Davis' head using two steak knives on April 9, 2017. Hilyard was convicted Thursday and sentencing is set for March 27.A prosecutor said the 38-year-old Hilyard attacked Davis without provocation then grabbed a knife “to finish what she started.”Hilyard testified that she thought Davis was dead when she cut off her head. Her defense attorney says his client made bad decisions with horrible consequences.-----Wichita, Kan. (AP) —A Kansas woman on trial in the decapitation of her ex-boyfriend's mother told jurors that she “had to hurry to let her soul out"and that she thought there were people watching her out of her own eyes through a cellphone app. 38-year-old Rachael Hilyard, of Wichita, referred repeatedly to “things" that she said would give her suggestions or orders when she took the stand Wednesday. She is charged with first-degree murder in the April 2017 killing of 63-year-old Micki Davis. The jury was to hear closing arguments and start deliberating Thursday.Hilyard is being held on $550,000 bond. She has four previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.-----------Wichita, Kan. (AP) —Prosecutors say a Kansas woman should be convicted of first-degree murder for decapitating her ex-boyfriend's mother after demanding that the victim come over and pick up her son's stuff.The trial for Rachael Hilyard, of Wichita, got underway Tuesday. Defense attorney Quentin Pittman didn't dispute that Hilyard killed 63-year-old Micki Davis and told them he anticipated they would find her guilty of the “appropriate charge."But he didn't say what that charge might be during a brief opening statement.Prosecutors introduced evidence including testimony from the police officers who discovered Davis’ body in Hilyard’s garage, a taped law enforcement interview with Davis' 9-year-old grandson who called 911 when Hilyard attacked his grandmother, and photos of the crime scene.--------SEDGWICK COUNTY —The jury trial for a Kansas woman accused in the decapitation death of her ex-boyfriend's mother is underway in Sedgwick County, according to the district attorney's office.Rachel Hilyard, 37, Wichita is charged with first-degree murder in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d9ed97a0e14942289d7571567dd0686e">April 2017</a>&nbsp;death of 63-year-old Micki Davis.Davis was attacked after she went with her 9-year-old grandson to a home to retrieve property belonging to her son. The boy ran away and called 911.Police found Davis’ body in a garage and her head in the kitchen sink.&nbsp;In August, Hilyard underwent a mental health evaluation at Larned State Hospital and then a judge ruled that she was competent to stand trial.&nbsp;Hilyard is being held on $550,000 bond. She has four previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Sentencing set for Kan. woman convicted of beheading ex-boyfriend's mother

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Three of Kansas’ largest school districts have voted not to resume classes until after Labor Day because of the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Wichita district’s Board of Education voted Thursday to delay school until after the holiday, and also approved two online alternatives for families who are leery of returning their students to school too soon.

On Wednesday, the Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission districts in Johnson County announced their decisions to postpone the school year, he same day the Kansas State Board of Education&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6a64799654f6a9ccb944299898f8d367">rejected Gov. Laura Kelly’s order</a>&nbsp;that all districts in the state delay reopening.

Officials in the districts cited a surge in COVID-19 cases and said they were concerned that opening before Labor Day would endanger the health of students, faculty and staff. The three districts together had 100,000 students during the 2019-20 school year, about 19% of the state’s 519,000 public K-12 school pupils.

“We are currently not doing well in Johnson County. … Our case numbers are abysmal for June and July,” Shelby Rebeck, Shawnee Mission’s health services coordinator said at a board meeting Wednesday. She said the county health department would offer guidance on when schools should return.

As of Thursday morning, Johnson County had reported 4,161 confirmed coronavirus cases, an increase of 352 since Monday. The county has had 96 deaths from the disease. The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.

In Kansas City, Kansas, the school board voted Tuesday to delay in-person classes for the first nine weeks of the school year, with students spending that time getting online instruction instead. The Topeka School District has also announced plans to open schools remotely on Sept. 9.

The Wichita district’s two alternative methods to in-person classes will be MySchool Remote, a 100% online curriculum that would essentially duplicate the in-person curriculum with teacher instruction, and Education Imagine Academy, a full-time virtual school that will allow students to work at their own pace using recorded instructional material, with teachers available to help if needed.

Meanwhile, two Kansas State University graduates are suing the university, saying they did not get the education they paid for after classes went online in March because of the pandemic.

The class-action lawsuit filed by Noah Plank and John Garfolo, both of Salina, is similar to lawsuits filed against universities throughout the country, including the University of Kansas, after campuses closed in the spring.

The lawsuit claims the university has not offered refunds of tuition or fees even though 58% of the semester was conducted virtually.

Kansas State officials said they would not comment on ongoing litigation.

Tuition and fees vary depending on a student’s course of study. The lawsuit, which was filed July 7 in federal court in Kansas, claims the class action covers thousands of students who are owed a total of more than $5 million.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584711964519.png" alt="Photo by Nomin Ujiyediin Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Nomin Ujiyediin Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Three of Kansas’ largest school districts have voted not to resume classes until after Labor Day because of the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.The Wichita district’s Board of Education voted Thursday to delay school until after the holiday, and also approved two online alternatives for families who are leery of returning their students to school too soon.On Wednesday, the Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission districts in Johnson County announced their decisions to postpone the school year, he same day the Kansas State Board of Education&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6a64799654f6a9ccb944299898f8d367">rejected Gov. Laura Kelly’s order</a>&nbsp;that all districts in the state delay reopening.Officials in the districts cited a surge in COVID-19 cases and said they were concerned that opening before Labor Day would endanger the health of students, faculty and staff. The three districts together had 100,000 students during the 2019-20 school year, about 19% of the state’s 519,000 public K-12 school pupils.“We are currently not doing well in Johnson County. … Our case numbers are abysmal for June and July,” Shelby Rebeck, Shawnee Mission’s health services coordinator said at a board meeting Wednesday. She said the county health department would offer guidance on when schools should return.As of Thursday morning, Johnson County had reported 4,161 confirmed coronavirus cases, an increase of 352 since Monday. The county has had 96 deaths from the disease. The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.In Kansas City, Kansas, the school board voted Tuesday to delay in-person classes for the first nine weeks of the school year, with students spending that time getting online instruction instead. The Topeka School District has also announced plans to open schools remotely on Sept. 9.The Wichita district’s two alternative methods to in-person classes will be MySchool Remote, a 100% online curriculum that would essentially duplicate the in-person curriculum with teacher instruction, and Education Imagine Academy, a full-time virtual school that will allow students to work at their own pace using recorded instructional material, with teachers available to help if needed.Meanwhile, two Kansas State University graduates are suing the university, saying they did not get the education they paid for after classes went online in March because of the pandemic.The class-action lawsuit filed by Noah Plank and John Garfolo, both of Salina, is similar to lawsuits filed against universities throughout the country, including the University of Kansas, after campuses closed in the spring.The lawsuit claims the university has not offered refunds of tuition or fees even though 58% of the semester was conducted virtually.Kansas State officials said they would not comment on ongoing litigation.Tuition and fees vary depending on a student’s course of study. The lawsuit, which was filed July 7 in federal court in Kansas, claims the class action covers thousands of students who are owed a total of more than $5 million.

3 large Kansas school districts to open after Labor Day

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Prosecutors have charged an Overland Park city councilman with one count of domestic battery.

Court documents show Scott Hamblin, 42, was arrested after police were called to his home Tuesday night for a report of a disturbance.

A police incident report said Hamblin was accused of physical contact with a person “in a rude, insulting or angry manner,” and police indicated they believed Hamblin was drunk at the time. Police reported damage to drywall in the home. No injuries were reported.

Hamblin was booked into jail late Tuesday night. He pleaded not guilty to the charge in a court appearance Wednesday afternoon and was released on bond. A diversion hearing in the case has been set for Sept. 16.

Hamblin did not immediately return a message left Thursday by The Associated Press seeking comment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595518705251.png" alt="Hamblin" />
 <figcaption>Hamblin</figcaption>
 </figure>OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Prosecutors have charged an Overland Park city councilman with one count of domestic battery.Court documents show Scott Hamblin, 42, was arrested after police were called to his home Tuesday night for a report of a disturbance.A police incident report said Hamblin was accused of physical contact with a person “in a rude, insulting or angry manner,” and police indicated they believed Hamblin was drunk at the time. Police reported damage to drywall in the home. No injuries were reported.Hamblin was booked into jail late Tuesday night. He pleaded not guilty to the charge in a court appearance Wednesday afternoon and was released on bond. A diversion hearing in the case has been set for Sept. 16.Hamblin did not immediately return a message left Thursday by The Associated Press seeking comment.

City councilman in Kansas charged with domestic battery

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas woman was sentenced to nearly 13 years in prison for what the district attorney called the largest methamphetamine bust in the county during his 19 years in office.

 Jennie Rebecca Wallace, 46, Hutchinson, was sentenced Thursday after authorities found a 5-pound package of methamphetamine in her home in January. 

&nbsp;Wallace was also convicted of making at least two drug sales from her home. Before her sentencing, Wallace apologized to the court, law enforcement and her family.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595523486892.jpeg" alt="Wallace photo Reno County" />
 <figcaption>Wallace photo Reno County</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas woman was sentenced to nearly 13 years in prison for what the district attorney called the largest methamphetamine bust in the county during his 19 years in office. Jennie Rebecca Wallace, 46, Hutchinson, was sentenced Thursday after authorities found a 5-pound package of methamphetamine in her home in January. &nbsp;Wallace was also convicted of making at least two drug sales from her home. Before her sentencing, Wallace apologized to the court, law enforcement and her family.

Police found 5-pound bag of meth in Kansas woman's home

SEDGWICK COUNTY —&nbsp; A registered Kansas sex offender accused of attempting to kidnap a 10-year-old boy made his first court appearance Wednesday.

&nbsp;Webb Ketcherside is formally charged with aggravated indecent solicitation of a child and attempted kidnapping, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just before 5p.m. July 11, police responded to a disturbance call at the Quik Trip located in the 700 block of South Broadway in Wichita, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.

At the convenience store, officers contacted a 10-year-old boy who reported while walking on the sidewalk in the 800 block of South Wichita that a suspect later identified as Ketcherside approached him on foot, made sexually explicit comments and then grabbed his arm.&nbsp; 

The boy was able to break free from Ketcherside and run to the Quik Trip to get help. The boy received only minor injuries, according to Wheeler.

Through the investigation, Ketcherside was determined to be involved in the incident.&nbsp; Officers located him at his home at an apartment complex in the 800 block of South Water Street, and he was arrested without incident.

He remains jailed<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=132951">&nbsp;on a $75,000 bond</a>, according to online jail records.

Ketcherside has previously been arrested and convicted on charges of indecent solicitation of a child, criminal threat, and theft.&nbsp; He is also a registered sex offender through the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595258421423.png" alt="Ketcherside-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Ketcherside-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —&nbsp; A registered Kansas sex offender accused of attempting to kidnap a 10-year-old boy made his first court appearance Wednesday.&nbsp;Webb Ketcherside is formally charged with aggravated indecent solicitation of a child and attempted kidnapping, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just before 5p.m. July 11, police responded to a disturbance call at the Quik Trip located in the 700 block of South Broadway in Wichita, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.At the convenience store, officers contacted a 10-year-old boy who reported while walking on the sidewalk in the 800 block of South Wichita that a suspect later identified as Ketcherside approached him on foot, made sexually explicit comments and then grabbed his arm.&nbsp; The boy was able to break free from Ketcherside and run to the Quik Trip to get help. The boy received only minor injuries, according to Wheeler.Through the investigation, Ketcherside was determined to be involved in the incident.&nbsp; Officers located him at his home at an apartment complex in the 800 block of South Water Street, and he was arrested without incident.He remains jailed<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=132951">&nbsp;on a $75,000 bond</a>, according to online jail records.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595280791064.png" alt="Ketcherside -photo KBI offender registry" />
 <figcaption>Ketcherside -photo KBI offender registry</figcaption>
 </figure>Ketcherside has previously been arrested and convicted on charges of indecent solicitation of a child, criminal threat, and theft.&nbsp; He is also a registered sex offender through the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.

Kan. sex offender charged with attempting to kidnap boy

WEST GLACIER, Mont. (AP) — Glacier National Park has released the name of a Kansas man who died in a climbing accident in the park earlier this week.

Josh Yarrow, 20, of Wichita, Kansas, was mountain climbing off trail Tuesday evening when he fell while trying to retrieve a backpack.

His 500-foot fall was witnessed by his climbing partner, who went for help, officials said. Yarrow’s body was recovered by helicopter.

Yarrow was spending the summer working for a business in the West Glacier area

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595540992312.png" alt="Photo courtesy National Park Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy National Park Service</figcaption>
 </figure>WEST GLACIER, Mont. (AP) — Glacier National Park has released the name of a Kansas man who died in a climbing accident in the park earlier this week.Josh Yarrow, 20, of Wichita, Kansas, was mountain climbing off trail Tuesday evening when he fell while trying to retrieve a backpack.His 500-foot fall was witnessed by his climbing partner, who went for help, officials said. Yarrow’s body was recovered by helicopter.Yarrow was spending the summer working for a business in the West Glacier area

Kansas man dies in Glacier National Park climbing accident

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City police officer who was shot in the head on July 2 will be transferred to an out-of-state rehabilitation center after being released from the hospital Thursday, police said.

The officer, whose name has not been released, will be treated at a center that focuses on brain injuries and neurological rehabilitation and recovery, said Sgt. Jacob Becchina, a police spokesman.

He had been with the police department about 2.5 years when he was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/36e5b57d359e8e1cd08bd08f8da9b061">shot</a>&nbsp;while responding to a report of a man waving a gun at a McDonald's in eastern Kansas City. A second officer shot and killed the man, 31-year-old Ky Johnson, whose family said he suffered from a mental illness.

On the same day, a second Kansas City police officer was shot after a suspect in an alleged robbery shot a bus driver. That officer was treated and released from a hospital. The bus driver's injuries were not life-threatening.

Justin Rogers, 25, was shot by another officer. He is charged with felony first-degree assault and other crimes in the shooting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593774968015.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation Thursday -photo courtesy KMBC TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation Thursday -photo courtesy KMBC TV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City police officer who was shot in the head on July 2 will be transferred to an out-of-state rehabilitation center after being released from the hospital Thursday, police said.The officer, whose name has not been released, will be treated at a center that focuses on brain injuries and neurological rehabilitation and recovery, said Sgt. Jacob Becchina, a police spokesman.He had been with the police department about 2.5 years when he was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/36e5b57d359e8e1cd08bd08f8da9b061">shot</a>&nbsp;while responding to a report of a man waving a gun at a McDonald's in eastern Kansas City. A second officer shot and killed the man, 31-year-old Ky Johnson, whose family said he suffered from a mental illness.On the same day, a second Kansas City police officer was shot after a suspect in an alleged robbery shot a bus driver. That officer was treated and released from a hospital. The bus driver's injuries were not life-threatening.Justin Rogers, 25, was shot by another officer. He is charged with felony first-degree assault and other crimes in the shooting.

Kansas City officer shot in the head released from hospital

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/07/22/state-finance-council-complicit-in-cloaking-financial-terms-of-lawsuit-settlements/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The governor of 
Kansas and eight of the Legislature’s most influential members routinely
 approve financial settlement of lawsuits filed against the state 
without engaging in public debate or comment.

Their approach is to 
explore complexities of pending litigation behind closed doors with 
representatives of the Kansas attorney general’s office, who have 
responsibility for hammering out settlements worth millions of dollars. 
After sorting through details in executive session, the council’s 
members reconvene the public meeting for nothing more than a vote to 
affirm or reject the deal.

The process has diminished the council’s level of transparency with taxpayers to mere reading of the name of each lawsuit.

Discovering how much was 
paid to plaintiffs now requires a request to the Kansas Department of 
Administration under provisions of the Kansas Open Records Act. The fine
 print explanation of legal issues raised in these cases must be found 
in state or federal district court files.

Critics of the practice 
contend expenditure of tax dollars warrants more than token 
transparency, while defenders of the current approach say they are 
complying with the Kansas Open Meetings Act. In the past 10 years, the 
council made up of House and Senate members and chaired by the governor 
has endorsed 29 settlements worth $2.5 million.

Despite the level of 
secrecy now practiced by the State Finance Council, there are instances 
in the past 15 years in which council members in public session delved 
into analysis of litigation, examined merits of claims and debated 
whether payouts were necessary. Members of the council who recall those 
exchanges were more likely to tell the Kansas Reflector they would 
consider reforms to compel real-time disclosure of the settlements.

The council’s process for 
handling the lawsuits can be illustrated in the case of an inmate at 
Lansing Correctional Facility who apparently took his own life.

Ricardo Flores-Ramos was 
transferred to the maximum security infirmary at Lansing after several 
days on a hunger strike, court records show. At 4:37 a.m. July 7, 2015, 
Lansing corrections officer Ryon Karpierz found Flores-Ramos on the 
floor of his room with a bed sheet tied around his neck. He was 
pronounced dead by emergency medical staff.

It was Karpierz’ 
assignment to conduct security checks of Flores-Ramos every 30 minutes, 
but the lawsuit filed in Leavenworth County District Court alleged he 
failed to perform that duty from 3 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. In addition, 
Karpierz and corrections officer Carl Foraker were responsible for 
maintaining video surveillance of Flores-Ramos. They didn’t. Karpierz 
said in court filings the security camera in Flores-Ramos’ unit wasn’t 
functioning.

The suit brought in 2017 
by Amanda Valdivia, mother of Flores-Ramos’ son, and by Virginia Flores,
 administrator of the estate, alleged employees of the Kansas Department
 of Corrections were negligent in the 25-year-old inmate’s death. Years 
of legal wrangling led to a settlement meeting of the State Finance 
Council, which includes Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, six Republican 
legislators and two Democratic lawmakers.

The council in June 
convened in executive session with representatives of Attorney General 
Derek Schmidt to discuss settlement of the case. When reporters and 
others were welcomed back into the meeting room at the Capitol, the 
council affirmed the deal without public discussion, debate or 
explanation. No one offered a summary of the facts. No one mentioned the
 cost to taxpayers. No one offered justification or opposition to a 
settlement.

It was over with swiftness of a roll call vote.

“Do I have a motion?” Kelly asked the&nbsp;council’s&nbsp;senators and representatives.

House Minority Leader Tom 
Sawyer, D-Wichita, moved adoption of the settlement. He was seconded by 
Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning, R-Overland Park. The tally was 8-0. 
Case closed.

The same process was 
followed by the State Finance Council at that meeting to approve a 
$30,000 settlement of a suit filed on behalf of a Hutchinson 
Correctional Facility inmate who also apparently committed suicide.

Action by the State 
Finance Council on this pair of lawsuits followed a pattern by which 
representatives of Kansas’ executive and legislative branches who 
control the council effectively draw a cloak over expenditure of tax 
dollars.

Documents from the state 
Department of Administration show the council has settled 29 legal 
claims during the past decade at a cost of $2.5 million. The Kelly 
administration released — at no cost — the one-page memo for each case 
listing the amount paid to litigants. To get a sense of the men, women 
and children at the heart of these lawsuits, it was necessary to dig 
into district court files all over the state — not a task the average 
taxpayer has time or resources to execute.

Emily Bradbury, executive 
director of the Kansas Press Association, said the clear intent of state
 law on open meetings is the public should be privy to real-time 
information about votes being taken by state councils, legislative 
committees, county commissions, city councils, school boards or any of 
hundreds of other entities subject to the Kansas Open Meetings Act.

Public documents revealed 
it took $65,000 from the state treasury to placate the Flores-Ramos’ 
estate. Anyone interested in details of what happened the night 
Flores-Ramos died in the prison needed a copy of the wrongful death 
lawsuit filed in Leavenworth County. A search of Shawnee County District
 Court files made clear&nbsp;Flores-Ramos was no saint. He was in&nbsp;prison on 
aggravated battery and aggravated assault convictions after breaking 
into a Topeka automotive store in 2011. Before apprehended by police, he
 fired a shot at people chasing him on foot and by car.

A similar multi-stop 
journey was necessary to shed light on the case of Matthew Tedford. The 
Hutchinson prison inmate who died Aug. 26, 2016, received $30,000 
through the State Finance Council to settle the wrongful death lawsuit 
filed in Reno County District Court. His daughter, Madison Tedford, sued
 the state Department of Corrections and Corizon Health, the contractor 
providing medical and mental health services to inmates.

Tedford had been placed in
 solitary confinement after making suicidal comments. Corizon employees 
put Tedford on suicide watch. Plaintiff attorney Thomas Dickerson said 
state corrections officers left Tedford in a cell “with a hang-off point
 and a bedsheet sufficient to hang himself.” When guards later checked 
on Tedford, he had hung himself with the sheet. His life ended while 
serving time on Seward County convictions for criminal threat, forgery, 
battery and theft. He was 47.

Rep. Troy Waymaster, a 
Bunker Hill Republican, said the State Finance Council’s practice of 
falling silent during public meetings on lawsuits wasn’t in conflict 
with state law. To initiate the executive session to confidentially 
discuss both the Flores-Ramos and Tedford cases, Waymaster read an 
obligatory statement referring to statutes authorizing a closed-door 
meeting to consult with the attorney general on tort claims.

In an interview, Waymaster
 said discussion of the legal settlements was intentionally isolated to 
the executive session. The public’s interests are protected because the 
formal vote occurred in full view of the public.

“For those particular 
items,” Waymaster said, “we go into closed session. It’s not open to the
 public. When we come back and it’s back to an open meeting, we do not 
discuss those items. We just have the vote. Every single case that we 
have done this, we have never discussed the items because we have 
discussed it in closed session. End of story.”

Current and former members
 of the State Finance Council said they recalled a time when 
nondisclosure wasn’t the rule. They remembered public discussions of the
 council on the substance of pending lawsuits, points of law, settlement
 options and other elements of the disputes.

In June 2012, for example,
 House Speaker Mike O’Neal, a Republican from Hutchinson, objected 
during the public portion of a council meeting to a recommendation to 
pay $30,000 to a former Topeka Correctional Facility inmate who filed a 
federal lawsuit alleging a corrections officer forced her to engage in 
sexual activity. The attorney general’s office proposed the settlement 
with one of two women leveling sexual misconduct allegations at 
corrections officer Nathan Van Dyke, who was convicted of unlawful 
sexual relations while on duty.

O’Neal, an attorney, was 
the lone vote on the State Finance Council against the settlement and 
urged his peers to seek dismissal of the case.

C.J. Grover, a spokesman 
for the attorney general, said lawyers appropriately invoked 
attorney-client privilege when speaking in executive session about the 
pending lawsuits.

“The votes to approve the 
settlements are made in open session, and the settlement agreements then
 become public record once they are finalized,” Grover said. “However, 
the analysis and advice that our office provides to the council in 
executive session are still protected by attorney-client privilege.”

While Schmidt, the 
attorney general, appears to welcome the State Finance Council’s method 
of handling most legal settlements, he has chosen to disclose to the 
public information about proposed settlement of wrongful conviction 
lawsuits filed against the state. His office issued news releases in 
2018, 2019 and 2020 to preemptively explain deals made with litigants 
mistakenly convicted of crimes in Kansas.

Grover said wrongful 
conviction settlements were put before the council for mere review — not
 formal approval or rejection. Amounts owed these former inmates were 
dictated by state law.

In 2018, for example, the 
attorney general recommended the state compensate Richard Jones with 
$1.1 million and other benefits for 17 years served behind bars for a 
bogus aggravated battery conviction. Last year, Floyd Bledsoe was paid 
$1 million for 16 years of incarceration for a Jefferson County murder 
committed by his brother. In February, Lamonte McIntyre received $1.5 
million for his wrongful conviction in a double homicide in Kansas City,
 Kansas, that led to 23 years of imprisonment.

The fourth case, wrapped 
up in April, involved action in Sedgwick County District Court to 
certify Bobby Harper qualified for $238,000 for two years spent in 
prison on a 1987 burglary conviction. That verdict was vacated in 1990 
by the Kansas Supreme Court.

Senate Minority Leader 
Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat and the longest-serving legislator in
 Kansas history, said the State Finance Council had gravitated to a 
process that helped political leaders avoid association with grim 
episodes of state employee abuse, neglect or incompetence.

He said legal counsel in 
executive sessions urged members of the council not to talk about the 
cases outside of executive session. Paperwork reviewed by council 
members during their meetings is collected at adjournment to reduce the 
temptation to share information with the public.

“I’m assuming these tort 
claims cases are confidential — this is my opinion — because they’re 
embarrassing to the state,” Hensley said. “I’d like to revisit the 
rebuke not to discuss it in public.”

Ron Keefover, president of
 the Kansas Sunshine Coalition for Open Government, said state law on 
open meetings contained many exemptions, but “I don’t remember an 
embarrassment clause.”

He speculated the State 
Finance Council’s attitude to public discussion of settlements could 
reflect the common practice of settling civil suits with participants 
signing nondisclosure agreements or a judge sealing the case file. He 
said exceptions to public discussion under KOMA were to be “narrowly 
construed to carry out the public purpose of the law” and that recesses 
for an executive session “shall not be used as a subterfuge to defeat 
the purposes of this act.”

“If you’re going to spend public money, that’s an open record,” Keefover said. “I don’t care if it’s embarrassing.”

Sen. Carolyn McGinn, a 
Sedgwick Republican and chairwoman of the Senate Ways and Means 
Committee, said facts and figures about settlements previously were 
shared publicly, on an inconsistent basis, when the council voted on a 
resolution.

She said the State Finance
 Council should make it a practice of disclosing basic information about
 settlements to be more transparent about the work performed by 
legislators and the governor.

“I don’t have a problem with announcing it,” she said.

Settlements affirmed by 
the State Finance Council since 2010 have ranged in value from $6,000 to
 $350,000, excluding the&nbsp;wrongful conviction lawsuits. Ten of the 29 
were for amounts greater than $100,000 and eight cost taxpayers between 
$62,000 and $95,000.

Jacquie Spradling, who was
 a prosecutor in Johnson and Shawnee counties, was the largest recipient
 of a council payout in the past decade. She filed a discrimination 
lawsuit against Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline, who fired 
her in 2007. Kline said it was for insubordination. Spradling said it 
was retaliation for complaining about sex discrimination. In 2011, Gov. 
Sam Brownback and top legislative leaders agreed to pay her $350,000.

At that time, Senate 
Majority Leader Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican, said he reluctantly 
voted for that “fiscally prudent” settlement because the state’s legal 
fees for a trial and judgment could be much more expensive.

In 2014, State Finance 
Council members and other state officials spoke openly about the 
$225,000 settlement of a lawsuit filed on behalf of a former Kansas 
State University football player who died at Larned State Hospital. The 
estate of Michael Lykins sued in Shawnee County alleging hospital staff 
didn’t do enough to prevent the death of Lykins in 2011.

The State Finance Council 
agreed four years ago to pay $100,000 to Naomi Boone, mother of late 
Mekhi Boone, to resolve a federal lawsuit filed over the death of the 
4-year-old boy. TFI Family Services, a state foster care contractor, 
paid $312,000 to the family. Mekhi Boone’s father, Lee Davis, was 
convicted of second-degree murder for beating the child to death.

Brownback said the payment was justified: “Just everything about it makes you sad.”

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.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595534145466.jpeg" alt="Rep. Troy Waymaster, left, a Republican from Bunker Hill and member of the State Finance Council, says the council is following state law by only discussing in executive session details of lawsuit settlements recommended by the Attorney General Derek Schmidt. (Nick Krug for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Troy Waymaster, left, a Republican from Bunker Hill and member of the State Finance Council, says the council is following state law by only discussing in executive session details of lawsuit settlements recommended by the Attorney General Derek Schmidt. (Nick Krug for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/07/22/state-finance-council-complicit-in-cloaking-financial-terms-of-lawsuit-settlements/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The governor of 
Kansas and eight of the Legislature’s most influential members routinely
 approve financial settlement of lawsuits filed against the state 
without engaging in public debate or comment.Their approach is to 
explore complexities of pending litigation behind closed doors with 
representatives of the Kansas attorney general’s office, who have 
responsibility for hammering out settlements worth millions of dollars. 
After sorting through details in executive session, the council’s 
members reconvene the public meeting for nothing more than a vote to 
affirm or reject the deal.The process has diminished the council’s level of transparency with taxpayers to mere reading of the name of each lawsuit.Discovering how much was 
paid to plaintiffs now requires a request to the Kansas Department of 
Administration under provisions of the Kansas Open Records Act. The fine
 print explanation of legal issues raised in these cases must be found 
in state or federal district court files.Critics of the practice 
contend expenditure of tax dollars warrants more than token 
transparency, while defenders of the current approach say they are 
complying with the Kansas Open Meetings Act. In the past 10 years, the 
council made up of House and Senate members and chaired by the governor 
has endorsed 29 settlements worth $2.5 million.Despite the level of 
secrecy now practiced by the State Finance Council, there are instances 
in the past 15 years in which council members in public session delved 
into analysis of litigation, examined merits of claims and debated 
whether payouts were necessary. Members of the council who recall those 
exchanges were more likely to tell the Kansas Reflector they would 
consider reforms to compel real-time disclosure of the settlements.<h2>Lansing death</h2>The council’s process for 
handling the lawsuits can be illustrated in the case of an inmate at 
Lansing Correctional Facility who apparently took his own life.Ricardo Flores-Ramos was 
transferred to the maximum security infirmary at Lansing after several 
days on a hunger strike, court records show. At 4:37 a.m. July 7, 2015, 
Lansing corrections officer Ryon Karpierz found Flores-Ramos on the 
floor of his room with a bed sheet tied around his neck. He was 
pronounced dead by emergency medical staff.It was Karpierz’ 
assignment to conduct security checks of Flores-Ramos every 30 minutes, 
but the lawsuit filed in Leavenworth County District Court alleged he 
failed to perform that duty from 3 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. In addition, 
Karpierz and corrections officer Carl Foraker were responsible for 
maintaining video surveillance of Flores-Ramos. They didn’t. Karpierz 
said in court filings the security camera in Flores-Ramos’ unit wasn’t 
functioning.The suit brought in 2017 
by Amanda Valdivia, mother of Flores-Ramos’ son, and by Virginia Flores,
 administrator of the estate, alleged employees of the Kansas Department
 of Corrections were negligent in the 25-year-old inmate’s death. Years 
of legal wrangling led to a settlement meeting of the State Finance 
Council, which includes Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, six Republican 
legislators and two Democratic lawmakers.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595534233071.jpeg" alt="Attorney General Derek Schmidt, left, prefers the State Finance Council avoid discussing the details of lawsuit settlements in public to avoid compromising attorney-client privileges. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Attorney General Derek Schmidt, left, prefers the State Finance Council avoid discussing the details of lawsuit settlements in public to avoid compromising attorney-client privileges. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>The council in June 
convened in executive session with representatives of Attorney General 
Derek Schmidt to discuss settlement of the case. When reporters and 
others were welcomed back into the meeting room at the Capitol, the 
council affirmed the deal without public discussion, debate or 
explanation. No one offered a summary of the facts. No one mentioned the
 cost to taxpayers. No one offered justification or opposition to a 
settlement.It was over with swiftness of a roll call vote.“Do I have a motion?” Kelly asked the&nbsp;council’s&nbsp;senators and representatives.House Minority Leader Tom 
Sawyer, D-Wichita, moved adoption of the settlement. He was seconded by 
Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning, R-Overland Park. The tally was 8-0. 
Case closed.The same process was 
followed by the State Finance Council at that meeting to approve a 
$30,000 settlement of a suit filed on behalf of a Hutchinson 
Correctional Facility inmate who also apparently committed suicide.<h2>Tip of an iceberg</h2>Action by the State 
Finance Council on this pair of lawsuits followed a pattern by which 
representatives of Kansas’ executive and legislative branches who 
control the council effectively draw a cloak over expenditure of tax 
dollars.Documents from the state 
Department of Administration show the council has settled 29 legal 
claims during the past decade at a cost of $2.5 million. The Kelly 
administration released — at no cost — the one-page memo for each case 
listing the amount paid to litigants. To get a sense of the men, women 
and children at the heart of these lawsuits, it was necessary to dig 
into district court files all over the state — not a task the average 
taxpayer has time or resources to execute.Emily Bradbury, executive 
director of the Kansas Press Association, said the clear intent of state
 law on open meetings is the public should be privy to real-time 
information about votes being taken by state councils, legislative 
committees, county commissions, city councils, school boards or any of 
hundreds of other entities subject to the Kansas Open Meetings Act.Public documents revealed 
it took $65,000 from the state treasury to placate the Flores-Ramos’ 
estate. Anyone interested in details of what happened the night 
Flores-Ramos died in the prison needed a copy of the wrongful death 
lawsuit filed in Leavenworth County. A search of Shawnee County District
 Court files made clear&nbsp;Flores-Ramos was no saint. He was in&nbsp;prison on 
aggravated battery and aggravated assault convictions after breaking 
into a Topeka automotive store in 2011. Before apprehended by police, he
 fired a shot at people chasing him on foot and by car.A similar multi-stop 
journey was necessary to shed light on the case of Matthew Tedford. The 
Hutchinson prison inmate who died Aug. 26, 2016, received $30,000 
through the State Finance Council to settle the wrongful death lawsuit 
filed in Reno County District Court. His daughter, Madison Tedford, sued
 the state Department of Corrections and Corizon Health, the contractor 
providing medical and mental health services to inmates.Tedford had been placed in
 solitary confinement after making suicidal comments. Corizon employees 
put Tedford on suicide watch. Plaintiff attorney Thomas Dickerson said 
state corrections officers left Tedford in a cell “with a hang-off point
 and a bedsheet sufficient to hang himself.” When guards later checked 
on Tedford, he had hung himself with the sheet. His life ended while 
serving time on Seward County convictions for criminal threat, forgery, 
battery and theft. He was 47.<h2>No so fast</h2>Rep. Troy Waymaster, a 
Bunker Hill Republican, said the State Finance Council’s practice of 
falling silent during public meetings on lawsuits wasn’t in conflict 
with state law. To initiate the executive session to confidentially 
discuss both the Flores-Ramos and Tedford cases, Waymaster read an 
obligatory statement referring to statutes authorizing a closed-door 
meeting to consult with the attorney general on tort claims.In an interview, Waymaster
 said discussion of the legal settlements was intentionally isolated to 
the executive session. The public’s interests are protected because the 
formal vote occurred in full view of the public.“For those particular 
items,” Waymaster said, “we go into closed session. It’s not open to the
 public. When we come back and it’s back to an open meeting, we do not 
discuss those items. We just have the vote. Every single case that we 
have done this, we have never discussed the items because we have 
discussed it in closed session. End of story.”Current and former members
 of the State Finance Council said they recalled a time when 
nondisclosure wasn’t the rule. They remembered public discussions of the
 council on the substance of pending lawsuits, points of law, settlement
 options and other elements of the disputes.In June 2012, for example,
 House Speaker Mike O’Neal, a Republican from Hutchinson, objected 
during the public portion of a council meeting to a recommendation to 
pay $30,000 to a former Topeka Correctional Facility inmate who filed a 
federal lawsuit alleging a corrections officer forced her to engage in 
sexual activity. The attorney general’s office proposed the settlement 
with one of two women leveling sexual misconduct allegations at 
corrections officer Nathan Van Dyke, who was convicted of unlawful 
sexual relations while on duty.O’Neal, an attorney, was 
the lone vote on the State Finance Council against the settlement and 
urged his peers to seek dismissal of the case.<h2>Inconsistency?</h2>C.J. Grover, a spokesman 
for the attorney general, said lawyers appropriately invoked 
attorney-client privilege when speaking in executive session about the 
pending lawsuits.“The votes to approve the 
settlements are made in open session, and the settlement agreements then
 become public record once they are finalized,” Grover said. “However, 
the analysis and advice that our office provides to the council in 
executive session are still protected by attorney-client privilege.”While Schmidt, the 
attorney general, appears to welcome the State Finance Council’s method 
of handling most legal settlements, he has chosen to disclose to the 
public information about proposed settlement of wrongful conviction 
lawsuits filed against the state. His office issued news releases in 
2018, 2019 and 2020 to preemptively explain deals made with litigants 
mistakenly convicted of crimes in Kansas.Grover said wrongful 
conviction settlements were put before the council for mere review — not
 formal approval or rejection. Amounts owed these former inmates were 
dictated by state law.In 2018, for example, the 
attorney general recommended the state compensate Richard Jones with 
$1.1 million and other benefits for 17 years served behind bars for a 
bogus aggravated battery conviction. Last year, Floyd Bledsoe was paid 
$1 million for 16 years of incarceration for a Jefferson County murder 
committed by his brother. In February, Lamonte McIntyre received $1.5 
million for his wrongful conviction in a double homicide in Kansas City,
 Kansas, that led to 23 years of imprisonment.The fourth case, wrapped 
up in April, involved action in Sedgwick County District Court to 
certify Bobby Harper qualified for $238,000 for two years spent in 
prison on a 1987 burglary conviction. That verdict was vacated in 1990 
by the Kansas Supreme Court.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595534256883.jpeg" alt="Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat and member of the State Finance Council, says the council has become more secretive about settlements of lawsuits against the state because the cases of misconduct are so embarrassing. (Nick Krug for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat and member of the State Finance Council, says the council has become more secretive about settlements of lawsuits against the state because the cases of misconduct are so embarrassing. (Nick Krug for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Too embarrassing</h2>Senate Minority Leader 
Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat and the longest-serving legislator in
 Kansas history, said the State Finance Council had gravitated to a 
process that helped political leaders avoid association with grim 
episodes of state employee abuse, neglect or incompetence.He said legal counsel in 
executive sessions urged members of the council not to talk about the 
cases outside of executive session. Paperwork reviewed by council 
members during their meetings is collected at adjournment to reduce the 
temptation to share information with the public.“I’m assuming these tort 
claims cases are confidential — this is my opinion — because they’re 
embarrassing to the state,” Hensley said. “I’d like to revisit the 
rebuke not to discuss it in public.”Ron Keefover, president of
 the Kansas Sunshine Coalition for Open Government, said state law on 
open meetings contained many exemptions, but “I don’t remember an 
embarrassment clause.”He speculated the State 
Finance Council’s attitude to public discussion of settlements could 
reflect the common practice of settling civil suits with participants 
signing nondisclosure agreements or a judge sealing the case file. He 
said exceptions to public discussion under KOMA were to be “narrowly 
construed to carry out the public purpose of the law” and that recesses 
for an executive session “shall not be used as a subterfuge to defeat 
the purposes of this act.”“If you’re going to spend public money, that’s an open record,” Keefover said. “I don’t care if it’s embarrassing.”Sen. Carolyn McGinn, a 
Sedgwick Republican and chairwoman of the Senate Ways and Means 
Committee, said facts and figures about settlements previously were 
shared publicly, on an inconsistent basis, when the council voted on a 
resolution.She said the State Finance
 Council should make it a practice of disclosing basic information about
 settlements to be more transparent about the work performed by 
legislators and the governor.“I don’t have a problem with announcing it,” she said.<h2>Tough cases</h2>Settlements affirmed by 
the State Finance Council since 2010 have ranged in value from $6,000 to
 $350,000, excluding the&nbsp;wrongful conviction lawsuits. Ten of the 29 
were for amounts greater than $100,000 and eight cost taxpayers between 
$62,000 and $95,000.Jacquie Spradling, who was
 a prosecutor in Johnson and Shawnee counties, was the largest recipient
 of a council payout in the past decade. She filed a discrimination 
lawsuit against Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline, who fired 
her in 2007. Kline said it was for insubordination. Spradling said it 
was retaliation for complaining about sex discrimination. In 2011, Gov. 
Sam Brownback and top legislative leaders agreed to pay her $350,000.At that time, Senate 
Majority Leader Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican, said he reluctantly 
voted for that “fiscally prudent” settlement because the state’s legal 
fees for a trial and judgment could be much more expensive.In 2014, State Finance 
Council members and other state officials spoke openly about the 
$225,000 settlement of a lawsuit filed on behalf of a former Kansas 
State University football player who died at Larned State Hospital. The 
estate of Michael Lykins sued in Shawnee County alleging hospital staff 
didn’t do enough to prevent the death of Lykins in 2011.The State Finance Council 
agreed four years ago to pay $100,000 to Naomi Boone, mother of late 
Mekhi Boone, to resolve a federal lawsuit filed over the death of the 
4-year-old boy. TFI Family Services, a state foster care contractor, 
paid $312,000 to the family. Mekhi Boone’s father, Lee Davis, was 
convicted of second-degree murder for beating the child to death.Brownback said the payment was justified: “Just everything about it makes you sad.”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.

State Finance Council complicit in cloaking financial terms of lawsuit settlements

SHAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a fatal motorcycle crash have made an arrest.

Just after 9:30a.m. June 30 at around 9:40 a.m. police respondedPhilip Billard Municipal Airport located at 3600 NE Sardou Avenue on a report of a motorcycle crash, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Koenen.

Upon arrival, officers located the driver of the motorcycle later identified as Dylan J. Hernandez, 26, Topeka, suffering from life-threatening injuries. He was transported to a local hospital where he died.

During the course of the investigation it was discovered there was an incident prior to the crash. The investigation revealed that Tommy L. Sherrill Sr., 51 was involved in the that incident.

With assistance from the United States Marshals Service, Sherrill Sr. was located Wednesday afternoon in the 500 block of SE Golden Ave. and taken into custody. Sherrill Sr. was later arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges2nd degree reckless homicide, Aggravated assault

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595501390801.png" alt="Sherrill&nbsp; has a long history of crime including convictions for aggravated sex battery, theft, burglary, driving while suspended, flee and attempt to elude police and driving while suspended - photo Shawnee Co. Dept. of&nbsp; Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Sherrill&nbsp; has a long history of crime including convictions for aggravated sex battery, theft, burglary, driving while suspended, flee and attempt to elude police and driving while suspended - photo Shawnee Co. Dept. of&nbsp; Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a fatal motorcycle crash have made an arrest.Just after 9:30a.m. June 30 at around 9:40 a.m. police respondedPhilip Billard Municipal Airport located at 3600 NE Sardou Avenue on a report of a motorcycle crash, according to police spokesperson Gretchen Koenen.Upon arrival, officers located the driver of the motorcycle later identified as Dylan J. Hernandez, 26, Topeka, suffering from life-threatening injuries. He was transported to a local hospital where he died.During the course of the investigation it was discovered there was an incident prior to the crash. The investigation revealed that Tommy L. Sherrill Sr., 51 was involved in the that incident.With assistance from the United States Marshals Service, Sherrill Sr. was located Wednesday afternoon in the 500 block of SE Golden Ave. and taken into custody. Sherrill Sr. was later arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges2nd degree reckless homicide, Aggravated assault

U.S. Marshals arrest Kansas felon for fatal motorcycle crash

TOPEKA, Kansas – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Thursday that one resident at the Norton Correctional Facility’s (NCF) Stockton Satellite Facility tested positive for COVID-19, according to a media release from the KDOC.

This is the eighth KDOC facility with a confirmed case, with the first cases reported at Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF), Wichita Work Release Facility, Topeka Correctional Facility, Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex, El Dorado Correctional Facility, Ellsworth Correctional Facility and Hutchinson Correctional Facility.

The resident at NCF is a male over the age of 30. In order to protect the identity of the person, no other information will be released. Mandatory mask protocol for staff and residents was implemented on July 3.

The KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address these circumstances. As a result of that consultation with KDHE, the following steps were implemented:

“As positive COVID-19 cases in Kansas continue to rise toward record levels, family members are undoubtedly worried about their loved ones in our prison system,” Zmuda said. “All of our residents are important to us and we will work diligently to ensure their continued health and wellbeing.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589397055792.png" alt="KDOC Secretary Jeff Zmuda during a press briefing with the governor in March" />
 <figcaption>KDOC Secretary Jeff Zmuda during a press briefing with the governor in March</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kansas – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Thursday that one resident at the Norton Correctional Facility’s (NCF) Stockton Satellite Facility tested positive for COVID-19, according to a media release from the KDOC.This is the eighth KDOC facility with a confirmed case, with the first cases reported at Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF), Wichita Work Release Facility, Topeka Correctional Facility, Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex, El Dorado Correctional Facility, Ellsworth Correctional Facility and Hutchinson Correctional Facility.The resident at NCF is a male over the age of 30. In order to protect the identity of the person, no other information will be released. Mandatory mask protocol for staff and residents was implemented on July 3.The KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address these circumstances. As a result of that consultation with KDHE, the following steps were implemented:<ul>
 <li>The East Unit, consisting of 96 men, will quarantine in place for a minimum of 14 days</li><li>Testing of the entire living unit and staff will be conducted</li><li>Contact tracing was conducted to determine who among our staff and residents have been in close contact with this individual</li><li>KDOC will remain diligent in monitoring other staff and residents for symptoms</li>
 </ul>“As positive COVID-19 cases in Kansas continue to rise toward record levels, family members are undoubtedly worried about their loved ones in our prison system,” Zmuda said. “All of our residents are important to us and we will work diligently to ensure their continued health and wellbeing.”

Eighth Kansas correctional facility reports inmate with coronavirus

By SHERMAN SMITH &amp; TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/07/23/medical-experts-dispute-claims-by-kansas-board-of-education-member/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansas State Board of Education member Michelle Dombrosky confronted health secretary Lee Norman <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/07/22/kansas-board-of-education-blocks-gov-laura-kellys-plan-to-delay-k-12-classes/">during Wednesday’s meeting</a>
 to ask why his advice — to delay the start of school for three weeks — 
conflicts with the opinion of other medical experts in the state.

The board member from Olathe identified Children’s Mercy Hospital, the Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics,
 the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians and the University of Kansas 
Medical Center as organizations that offered this advice: “Get the kids 
back in school.”

None of those 
organizations expressed support or opposition before Wednesday’s meeting
 regarding Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order, which would have delayed 
in-person instruction and activities at public and private K-12 schools 
until after Labor Day. Dombrosky opposed the governor’s order, which 
fell one vote short of approval as the state board voted 5-5.

“I’m just looking at 
Children’s Mercy. I’m just looking at pediatrics. And there’s a lot of 
them saying get the kids back in school,” Dombrosky said. “We should be 
listening to the doctors, not the politicians.”

Dombrosky didn’t respond 
to an email asking her to clarify her remarks. Medical experts, 
including Norman, agree that placing children in public schools is good 
for their well-being. The question is when is it safe to do so.

“You don’t have to 
convince me or other public health officials,” said Norman, secretary of
 the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. “We very well 
recognize there are many things other than education — there are 
benefits for mental health and nutrition, all sorts of things. The 
motivation is absolutely to get kids back into school. No question about
 it. Just want to make sure it’s done safely.”

Kelly proposed the delay 
in response to a surge in coronavirus cases in some areas of the state. 
Board members who opposed the order preferred to give control to local 
school boards who can decide whether COVID-19 poses a threat in their 
area.

Lisa Augustine, 
spokeswoman for Children’s Mercy Hospital, said “the decision to resume 
in-person schooling should be made by the local school and school system
 in conjunction with the local health department.” However, Children’s 
Mercy didn’t share any advice with board members, Augustine said.

Other organizations more directly refuted Dombrosky’s comments.

Chad
 Johanning, president of the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians, said 
the organization supports physically reopening schools but only when it 
can be done safely. The organization has not counseled members of the board of education, he said.

“Delaying reopening and 
affirming the governor’s order during this recent increase in COVID 
cases will support the safe reopening of our schools,” Johanning said. 
“It is unfortunate that the AAFP position on reopening school is being 
spun politically to meet a political goal.”

Jill Chadwick, a 
spokeswoman for the University of Kansas Health System, said Dombrosky 
misunderstood or took out of context any statements made by the medical 
network’s experts.

“It needs to be made 
clear,” Chadwick said. “The University of Kansas Health System has not 
and will not take a position on the governor’s executive order.”

Mel Hudelson, executive director of Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics,
 said decisions about when to return to classrooms should be guided by 
public health agencies rather than politics. KAAP supports the efforts 
of KDHE, the agency led by Norman.

“Public health experts 
should tell us when the time is best to safely open school buildings, 
and educators and administrators should shape how we do it,” Hudelson 
said. “These decisions should take into account the spread of COVID-19 
in the state and the ability of school districts to adapt to make 
in-person learning safe.”

Thousands of public 
comments were submitted to the state Board of Education in advance of 
the vote. The written comments included insight of two Wichita-area 
pediatricians who endorsed Kelly’s recommendation to put off school for 
three weeks.

Paul Teran, a member of 
the pediatrics department at the KU School of Medicine in Wichita, said 
opening schools to 500,000 students and thousands of educators in August
 would be unwise.

“Delaying school reopening
 until after Labor Day will allow public health officials to have a 
better understanding of the viral transmission in our state and also 
give schools more time to prepare and implement measures that will 
improve student and staff safety,” Teran said.

“It is very important that
 we get our students back into the school setting as soon as we can,” 
said Stephanie Kuhlmann, an associate professor of pediatrics at KU 
School of Medicine who practices medicine at Wesley Children’s Hospital 
in Wichita. “However, it is even more important that our students return
 to school in the safest manner and environment as possible.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595520945214.png" alt="Health secretary Lee Norman outlines the growing number of COVID-19 infections in Kansas during a news conference last week in which Gov. Laura Kelly announced her order to keep schools closed until after Labor Day. On Wednesday, Norman told board members that schools can't be safe islands in unsafe communities. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Health secretary Lee Norman outlines the growing number of COVID-19 infections in Kansas during a news conference last week in which Gov. Laura Kelly announced her order to keep schools closed until after Labor Day. On Wednesday, Norman told board members that schools can't be safe islands in unsafe communities. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH &amp; TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/07/23/medical-experts-dispute-claims-by-kansas-board-of-education-member/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Kansas State Board of Education member Michelle Dombrosky confronted health secretary Lee Norman <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/07/22/kansas-board-of-education-blocks-gov-laura-kellys-plan-to-delay-k-12-classes/">during Wednesday’s meeting</a>
 to ask why his advice — to delay the start of school for three weeks — 
conflicts with the opinion of other medical experts in the state.The board member from Olathe identified Children’s Mercy Hospital, the Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics,
 the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians and the University of Kansas 
Medical Center as organizations that offered this advice: “Get the kids 
back in school.”None of those 
organizations expressed support or opposition before Wednesday’s meeting
 regarding Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order, which would have delayed 
in-person instruction and activities at public and private K-12 schools 
until after Labor Day. Dombrosky opposed the governor’s order, which 
fell one vote short of approval as the state board voted 5-5.“I’m just looking at 
Children’s Mercy. I’m just looking at pediatrics. And there’s a lot of 
them saying get the kids back in school,” Dombrosky said. “We should be 
listening to the doctors, not the politicians.”Dombrosky didn’t respond 
to an email asking her to clarify her remarks. Medical experts, 
including Norman, agree that placing children in public schools is good 
for their well-being. The question is when is it safe to do so.“You don’t have to 
convince me or other public health officials,” said Norman, secretary of
 the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. “We very well 
recognize there are many things other than education — there are 
benefits for mental health and nutrition, all sorts of things. The 
motivation is absolutely to get kids back into school. No question about
 it. Just want to make sure it’s done safely.”Kelly proposed the delay 
in response to a surge in coronavirus cases in some areas of the state. 
Board members who opposed the order preferred to give control to local 
school boards who can decide whether COVID-19 poses a threat in their 
area.Lisa Augustine, 
spokeswoman for Children’s Mercy Hospital, said “the decision to resume 
in-person schooling should be made by the local school and school system
 in conjunction with the local health department.” However, Children’s 
Mercy didn’t share any advice with board members, Augustine said.Other organizations more directly refuted Dombrosky’s comments.Chad
 Johanning, president of the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians, said 
the organization supports physically reopening schools but only when it 
can be done safely. The organization has not counseled members of the board of education, he said.“Delaying reopening and 
affirming the governor’s order during this recent increase in COVID 
cases will support the safe reopening of our schools,” Johanning said. 
“It is unfortunate that the AAFP position on reopening school is being 
spun politically to meet a political goal.”Jill Chadwick, a 
spokeswoman for the University of Kansas Health System, said Dombrosky 
misunderstood or took out of context any statements made by the medical 
network’s experts.“It needs to be made 
clear,” Chadwick said. “The University of Kansas Health System has not 
and will not take a position on the governor’s executive order.”Mel Hudelson, executive director of Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics,
 said decisions about when to return to classrooms should be guided by 
public health agencies rather than politics. KAAP supports the efforts 
of KDHE, the agency led by Norman.“Public health experts 
should tell us when the time is best to safely open school buildings, 
and educators and administrators should shape how we do it,” Hudelson 
said. “These decisions should take into account the spread of COVID-19 
in the state and the ability of school districts to adapt to make 
in-person learning safe.”Thousands of public 
comments were submitted to the state Board of Education in advance of 
the vote. The written comments included insight of two Wichita-area 
pediatricians who endorsed Kelly’s recommendation to put off school for 
three weeks.Paul Teran, a member of 
the pediatrics department at the KU School of Medicine in Wichita, said 
opening schools to 500,000 students and thousands of educators in August
 would be unwise.“Delaying school reopening
 until after Labor Day will allow public health officials to have a 
better understanding of the viral transmission in our state and also 
give schools more time to prepare and implement measures that will 
improve student and staff safety,” Teran said.“It is very important that
 we get our students back into the school setting as soon as we can,” 
said Stephanie Kuhlmann, an associate professor of pediatrics at KU 
School of Medicine who practices medicine at Wesley Children’s Hospital 
in Wichita. “However, it is even more important that our students return
 to school in the safest manner and environment as possible.”

Medical experts dispute claims by Kansas Board of Education member

TOPEKA&nbsp;-&nbsp; Majors&nbsp;Scott Harrington&nbsp;and&nbsp;Josh Kellerman&nbsp;are no longer employed with the Kansas Highway Patrol, according to a media release from the governor's office.

 The staff changes are part of Superintendent Colonel Herman Jones’ efforts to make the Kansas Highway Patrol as effective as possible in achieving the agency’s mission.

“Since my appointment last year, I have prioritized building a culture and a structure within our agency that will help our troopers best serve the people of Kansas,” Colonel Jones said. “I’m confident that the Kansas Highway Patrol will continue to grow stronger as an organization and improve our ability to carry out our mission.”&nbsp;

As a result of Governor Kelly’s and Colonel Jones’s commitment to a successful and transparent Kansas Highway Patrol, the Governor also released summaries of an internal and an independent investigation into complaints against Colonel Jones. The first investigation was conducted by the Department of Administration. The firm of Fisher, Patterson, Sayler &amp; Smith, LLP was then retained to conduct a thorough and independent investigation, to ensure a review of the complaints that was separate from the Kelly Administration.

The investigation conducted by the Department of Administration provided an assessment, rather than a judgement of the accusations. The independent investigation, which was concluded this week, found the complaints of sexual harassment against Colonel Jones were unsubstantiated.

“My administration has a responsibility to make sure the agency and leadership are living up to the values that Kansans expect,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The Kansas Highway Patrol is our state’s premiere law enforcement agency, and they have a responsibility to meet the standard that comes with this position. While my confidence in the men and women who make up our force of troopers has never wavered, there is no question that there were cultural issues and a lack of accountability that go back years. I believed when I appointed him, that Colonel Jones was the right man for the job and my belief has been reaffirmed.&nbsp; He has my full support.”

Three primary complaints regarding Colonel Jones were raised and investigated. In order to protect the identities and privacy of the complainants in the investigation, who are valued employees still serving at the Kansas Highway Patrol, the investigations have been summarized below.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595516989688.png" alt="Colonel Herman Jones-photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Colonel Herman Jones-photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;-&nbsp; Majors&nbsp;Scott Harrington&nbsp;and&nbsp;Josh Kellerman&nbsp;are no longer employed with the Kansas Highway Patrol, according to a media release from the governor's office. The staff changes are part of Superintendent Colonel Herman Jones’ efforts to make the Kansas Highway Patrol as effective as possible in achieving the agency’s mission.“Since my appointment last year, I have prioritized building a culture and a structure within our agency that will help our troopers best serve the people of Kansas,” Colonel Jones said. “I’m confident that the Kansas Highway Patrol will continue to grow stronger as an organization and improve our ability to carry out our mission.”&nbsp;As a result of Governor Kelly’s and Colonel Jones’s commitment to a successful and transparent Kansas Highway Patrol, the Governor also released summaries of an internal and an independent investigation into complaints against Colonel Jones. The first investigation was conducted by the Department of Administration. The firm of Fisher, Patterson, Sayler &amp; Smith, LLP was then retained to conduct a thorough and independent investigation, to ensure a review of the complaints that was separate from the Kelly Administration.The investigation conducted by the Department of Administration provided an assessment, rather than a judgement of the accusations. The independent investigation, which was concluded this week, found the complaints of sexual harassment against Colonel Jones were unsubstantiated.“My administration has a responsibility to make sure the agency and leadership are living up to the values that Kansans expect,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The Kansas Highway Patrol is our state’s premiere law enforcement agency, and they have a responsibility to meet the standard that comes with this position. While my confidence in the men and women who make up our force of troopers has never wavered, there is no question that there were cultural issues and a lack of accountability that go back years. I believed when I appointed him, that Colonel Jones was the right man for the job and my belief has been reaffirmed.&nbsp; He has my full support.”Three primary complaints regarding Colonel Jones were raised and investigated. In order to protect the identities and privacy of the complainants in the investigation, who are valued employees still serving at the Kansas Highway Patrol, the investigations have been summarized below.&nbsp;<ol>
 <li>Complaints of sexual harassment in the form of unwanted/unwelcome physical contact and verbal comments.</li><li>These complaints were raised by three KHP employees and generally alleged that Colonel Jones greeted the employees by slapping their backs, shaking their hands, patting their shoulders, hugging, standing close to the employee, and sometimes making awkward comments that were not of a sexual nature.</li><li>Investigators interviewed the complainants, other witnesses, and Colonel Jones. The employees did not allege that the physical contact or comments were of a sexual nature. Colonel Jones was interviewed and indicated that he did not know the physical nature of the greetings made the employees uncomfortable and would avoid such contact in the future.</li><li>The investigation exonerates Col. Jones with respect to the complaints of sexual harassment/discrimination.</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Complaints of misuse of a state aircraft.</li><li>Another complaint alleged that Colonel Jones misused a state aircraft for his family to travel on vacation.</li><li>Investigators interviewed witnesses, obtained flight logs, and interviewed Colonel Jones.</li><li>The investigation determined that Colonel Jones has used a state aircraft only twice. In Spring 2019 he flew to Pratt for a funeral of a law enforcement officer in Greensburg and flew back to Wichita for a graduation ceremony. This was state business and an appropriate use of the aircraft. Colonel Jones also used a state aircraft in July 2019 to return early from a vacation in Eagle, Colorado, so that he could attend a Governor’s Cabinet meeting. The vacation had been scheduled and paid for long before Colonel Jones was appointed KHP Superintendent, and the Governor’s Cabinet meeting was mandatory for all Cabinet members. Colonel Jones left his vacation several days early to return to work and none of his family accompanied him on the flight. This was also an appropriate use of the aircraft for state business.</li>
 </ol><ol>
 <li>Complaint of gender discrimination.</li><li>Another complaint involved a KHP employee arising from a number of unrelated administrative actions. The employee did not initially feel any of the actions were motivated by gender discrimination. The employee raised the issue to Human Resources after another employee suggested an action may have been the result of gender bias.</li><li>The investigators interviewed the employee, Colonel Jones, and other witnesses.</li><li>The investigation determined Colonel Jones’ administrative actions and decisions were not motivated by gender discrimination but were instead consistent with various KHP policy and accountability priorities.</li>
 </ol>