BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — The attorneys general for 11 Midwestern states urged the Justice Department on Tuesday to pursue a federal investigation into market concentration and potential price fixing by meatpackers in the cattle industry during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr, the state attorneys general noted that the domestic beef processing market is highly concentrated, with the four largest beef processors controlling 80 percent of the industry.

“Given the concentrated market structure of the beef industry, it may be particularly susceptible to market manipulation, particularly during times of food insecurity, such as the current COVID-19 crisis,”&nbsp;<a href="https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/sites/ag/files/documents/MediaAttachments/2020-05-05-Barr%2C%20AG%20William.pdf">they wrote.</a>

Although their letter does not name them, the nation's largest processors are Tyson Foods, JBS, Cargill, and National Beef. The companies did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.

Mark Watne, the president of the North Dakota Farmers Union, said in a statement that in all the years they have called for stronger antitrust enforcement, they have rarely seen such obvious market abuses by the meatpacking industry.

“They’re posting record profits, while ranchers are suffering significant market price losses,” Watne said. “The situation definitely smells rotten, and it not only hurts ranchers, but consumers, too.”

The state officials criticized the disparity in the price of live cattle and the retail cost of boxed beef that is sold to consumers, arguing that it shows the market lacks fair competition. Live cattle futures recently hit 18-year lows, while both the price of boxed beef and consumer demand remain healthy as consumers stockpile meat in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The letter was signed by attorneys general in North Dakota, Missouri, Colorado, South Dakota, Montana, Arizona, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wyoming.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

The state attorneys general said they are eager to work with Barr on an examination of the competitive dynamics of the industry.

“Antitrust concerns about the cattle market are nothing new. Competition issues arising from agricultural markets existed long before the COVID-19 pandemic and will persist long after we defeat our current crisis,” they wrote.

Although most enforcement actions are civil, federal antitrust law is also criminal law and individuals and businesses that violate it may be prosecuted by the Justice Department, according the Federal Trade Commission.

Criminal penalties can reach up to $100 million for a corporation, along with up to 10 years in prison. The maximum fine may be increased to twice the amount the conspirators gained from the illegal acts or twice the money lost by the victims of the crime, if either of those amounts is over $100 million.

The state attorneys general wrote that if, after an investigation, there is no appropriate enforcement action that can be pursued, regulatory strategies should be explored to promote competition and protect consumers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588259947500.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — The attorneys general for 11 Midwestern states urged the Justice Department on Tuesday to pursue a federal investigation into market concentration and potential price fixing by meatpackers in the cattle industry during the coronavirus pandemic.In a letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr, the state attorneys general noted that the domestic beef processing market is highly concentrated, with the four largest beef processors controlling 80 percent of the industry.“Given the concentrated market structure of the beef industry, it may be particularly susceptible to market manipulation, particularly during times of food insecurity, such as the current COVID-19 crisis,”&nbsp;<a href="https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/sites/ag/files/documents/MediaAttachments/2020-05-05-Barr%2C%20AG%20William.pdf">they wrote.</a>Although their letter does not name them, the nation's largest processors are Tyson Foods, JBS, Cargill, and National Beef. The companies did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588533087480.png" alt=" Vehicles turn into the Cargill beef-processing plant in Dodge City, Kansas, on April 28.&nbsp; Credit Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Vehicles turn into the Cargill beef-processing plant in Dodge City, Kansas, on April 28.&nbsp; Credit Corinne Boyer / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>Mark Watne, the president of the North Dakota Farmers Union, said in a statement that in all the years they have called for stronger antitrust enforcement, they have rarely seen such obvious market abuses by the meatpacking industry.“They’re posting record profits, while ranchers are suffering significant market price losses,” Watne said. “The situation definitely smells rotten, and it not only hurts ranchers, but consumers, too.”The state officials criticized the disparity in the price of live cattle and the retail cost of boxed beef that is sold to consumers, arguing that it shows the market lacks fair competition. Live cattle futures recently hit 18-year lows, while both the price of boxed beef and consumer demand remain healthy as consumers stockpile meat in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.The letter was signed by attorneys general in North Dakota, Missouri, Colorado, South Dakota, Montana, Arizona, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wyoming.The Justice Department did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.The state attorneys general said they are eager to work with Barr on an examination of the competitive dynamics of the industry.“Antitrust concerns about the cattle market are nothing new. Competition issues arising from agricultural markets existed long before the COVID-19 pandemic and will persist long after we defeat our current crisis,” they wrote.Although most enforcement actions are civil, federal antitrust law is also criminal law and individuals and businesses that violate it may be prosecuted by the Justice Department, according the Federal Trade Commission.Criminal penalties can reach up to $100 million for a corporation, along with up to 10 years in prison. The maximum fine may be increased to twice the amount the conspirators gained from the illegal acts or twice the money lost by the victims of the crime, if either of those amounts is over $100 million.The state attorneys general wrote that if, after an investigation, there is no appropriate enforcement action that can be pursued, regulatory strategies should be explored to promote competition and protect consumers.

11 attorneys general seek probe into meatpacking industry

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects after a Tuesday drug raid.

On Monday, the Shawnee County Drug Enforcement Task Force served a narcotic search warrant in the 3600 Blk of SW Kirklawn, according to Sgt. Todd Stallbaumer.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Deputies and Topeka Police Officers located methamphetamine, marijuana, three firearms, a large quantity of US currency and drug paraphernalia during the search warrant.

They arrested Stephen L. Lester,62, of Topeka was arrested and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for Possession of Methamphetamine W/Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Armando Rangel, 47, of Topeka and Stephanie A. Graham, 42, of Topeka were also booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for Possession of Methamphetamine.

Kansas (May 5th, 2020): Sheriff Brian C. Hill announces the seizure of methamphetamine, marijuana, paraphernalia, firearms, and US Currency that resulted from the execution of a search warrant on May 4th, 2020.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588761166488.png" alt="Lester photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Lester photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects after a Tuesday drug raid.On Monday, the Shawnee County Drug Enforcement Task Force served a narcotic search warrant in the 3600 Blk of SW Kirklawn, according to Sgt. Todd Stallbaumer.&nbsp;&nbsp;Deputies and Topeka Police Officers located methamphetamine, marijuana, three firearms, a large quantity of US currency and drug paraphernalia during the search warrant.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588761135785.png" alt="Graham-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Graham-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>They arrested Stephen L. Lester,62, of Topeka was arrested and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for Possession of Methamphetamine W/Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588761213284.png" alt="Rangle-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Rangle-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Armando Rangel, 47, of Topeka and Stephanie A. Graham, 42, of Topeka were also booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for Possession of Methamphetamine.Kansas (May 5th, 2020): Sheriff Brian C. Hill announces the seizure of methamphetamine, marijuana, paraphernalia, firearms, and US Currency that resulted from the execution of a search warrant on May 4th, 2020.&nbsp;

Deputies seize drugs, guns and cash from Kansas home

The effects of the coronavirus pandemic have moved beyond meat processing plants and are now hitting dinner plates.

Several U.S. production plants have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d855667c811d3d9810883e05702288ad">temporarily shuttered</a>&nbsp;in the last two weeks after hundreds of workers were sickened by the virus. That has led to meat shortages, with Wendy’s pulling some burgers off its menus and Costco limiting pork sales. Fake meat companies, meanwhile, are making their moves to capture some of those lost sales.

Beyond Meat, which makes burgers and sausage from pea protein, said Tuesday it’s launching new value packs to entice consumers while rival Impossible Foods is expanding sales to more than 1,700 Kroger groceries.

As of Monday, U.S. beef and pork processing capacity was down 40% from last year, according to Jayson Lusk, head of the department of agricultural economics at Purdue University.

Some meatpacking plants are coming back online after President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/67cb4bad7ffe500beabdf8e7e7efea5d">issued an executive order</a>&nbsp;last week requiring them to stay open. But until they’re back at full capacity, consumers will likely see some shortages and higher prices for beef and pork, Lusk said. Poultry production has also been impacted, but to a lesser degree.

On Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6a34d27d3d7f9fdcf837c272ba539972">the attorneys general for 11 Midwestern states</a>&nbsp;urged the Justice Department to pursue a federal investigation into market concentration and potential price fixing by meatpackers in the cattle industry, pointing out the disparity in the price of live cattle and the retail cost of boxed beef that is sold to consumers.

“Given the concentrated market structure of the beef industry, it may be particularly susceptible to market manipulation, particularly during times of food insecurity, such as the current COVID-19 crisis,” they wrote.

Just over 1,000 Wendy’s restaurants — or nearly 20% — had no beef items available on their online menus Monday night, according to an analysis by Stephens Inc., an investment bank. Stephens analyst James Rutherford said some states, like Ohio, Michigan and New York, seemed to be impacted more than others.

Wendy’s responded that some menu items may be temporarily limited, but it continues to supply its restaurants with beef two to three times a week. The company said it’s trying to limit disruptions to its supplies.

Costco, Sam’s Club, Hy-Vee and Kroger are limiting purchases of meat to avoid panic buying. Kroger Co., which also owns Ralphs and Harris Teeter markets, said it wants to ensure buyers have a broad assortment.

“There is plenty of protein in the supply chain,” Kroger said in a statement.

Empty and underfilled coolers greeted shoppers in the meat department at the Costco in the Minneapolis suburb of St. Louis Park Tuesday morning, one day after the retailer started limiting fresh meat purchases to three items per customer.

On Tuesday afternoon, a Kroger store in suburban Atlanta was limiting purchases to two packages of chicken, two packages of pork or three packages of ground beef at a time.

Marie Livingston left the store with beef stew meat and some other cuts. She accepted the limits as inevitable.

“Ultimately, you had to see it was coming to this,” Livingston said. “You have to limit the supply so everyone can get some and it’s fair.”

A few hundred yards away at Publix Super Markets on Tuesday afternoon, the store was limiting shoppers to two packages of chicken and was running low. But it was noticeably better stocked on beef and pork.

Some companies — including Target and McDonald’s — have no restrictions in place. McDonald’s said last week it has seen no supply interruptions because it uses a wide variety of suppliers.

Meat producer Tyson Foods Inc. said it’s working hard to get its plants back up safely.

“It’s very difficult to speculate on how challenges to the food supply will evolve in the coming weeks, but we are doing our best to maximize our production to meet demand,” the company said in a statement.

Makers of alternative proteins say they can help fill the void. El Segundo, California-based Beyond Meat said Tuesday it will be offering lower-cost value packs over the next few weeks to encourage companies to try its burgers. The company said its first-quarter revenue jumped 141% to $97 million, partly because consumers stocked up ahead of lockdowns in March.

“I think we have snuck in at just the right time,” Beyond Meat President and CEO Ethan Brown said.

Impossible Foods, which makes soy-based burgers and sausage, said Tuesday it’s accelerating its retail sales after seeing a falloff in sales to restaurants. Its burgers will go on sale at 1,700 Kroger grocery stores starting this week, which more than doubles the number of stores offering them. In January, the burgers were only available at 250 stores nationwide.

Impossible said consumer awareness of its products is up sharply, and it’s seeing evidence that more people are trying alternative meats.

Impossible says it’s able to produce plant-based foods safely because workers can stay farther apart and more machinery is automated than in slaughterhouses. Beyond Meat also said it has had no reported illnesses at its facilities.

“Anytime there’s a spotlight illuminating what’s actually involved in slaughtering animals and producing meat it is bad news for the meat industry,” Impossible CEO Pat Brown said.

Dr. Praeger’s, a New Jersey-based maker of plant-based chicken tenders, veggie burgers and other products, said it has also seen higher sales since the pandemic began and is adding another production line to handle demand.

Nielsen says sales of fresh meat alternatives were up 224% the week ending April 25. It noted fresh meat sales jumped 50% in the same period.

By DEE-ANN DURBIN, Associated PressThe effects of the coronavirus pandemic have moved beyond meat processing plants and are now hitting dinner plates.Several U.S. production plants have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d855667c811d3d9810883e05702288ad">temporarily shuttered</a>&nbsp;in the last two weeks after hundreds of workers were sickened by the virus. That has led to meat shortages, with Wendy’s pulling some burgers off its menus and Costco limiting pork sales. Fake meat companies, meanwhile, are making their moves to capture some of those lost sales.Beyond Meat, which makes burgers and sausage from pea protein, said Tuesday it’s launching new value packs to entice consumers while rival Impossible Foods is expanding sales to more than 1,700 Kroger groceries.As of Monday, U.S. beef and pork processing capacity was down 40% from last year, according to Jayson Lusk, head of the department of agricultural economics at Purdue University.Some meatpacking plants are coming back online after President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/67cb4bad7ffe500beabdf8e7e7efea5d">issued an executive order</a>&nbsp;last week requiring them to stay open. But until they’re back at full capacity, consumers will likely see some shortages and higher prices for beef and pork, Lusk said. Poultry production has also been impacted, but to a lesser degree.On Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6a34d27d3d7f9fdcf837c272ba539972">the attorneys general for 11 Midwestern states</a>&nbsp;urged the Justice Department to pursue a federal investigation into market concentration and potential price fixing by meatpackers in the cattle industry, pointing out the disparity in the price of live cattle and the retail cost of boxed beef that is sold to consumers.“Given the concentrated market structure of the beef industry, it may be particularly susceptible to market manipulation, particularly during times of food insecurity, such as the current COVID-19 crisis,” they wrote.Just over 1,000 Wendy’s restaurants — or nearly 20% — had no beef items available on their online menus Monday night, according to an analysis by Stephens Inc., an investment bank. Stephens analyst James Rutherford said some states, like Ohio, Michigan and New York, seemed to be impacted more than others.Wendy’s responded that some menu items may be temporarily limited, but it continues to supply its restaurants with beef two to three times a week. The company said it’s trying to limit disruptions to its supplies.Costco, Sam’s Club, Hy-Vee and Kroger are limiting purchases of meat to avoid panic buying. Kroger Co., which also owns Ralphs and Harris Teeter markets, said it wants to ensure buyers have a broad assortment.“There is plenty of protein in the supply chain,” Kroger said in a statement.Empty and underfilled coolers greeted shoppers in the meat department at the Costco in the Minneapolis suburb of St. Louis Park Tuesday morning, one day after the retailer started limiting fresh meat purchases to three items per customer.On Tuesday afternoon, a Kroger store in suburban Atlanta was limiting purchases to two packages of chicken, two packages of pork or three packages of ground beef at a time.Marie Livingston left the store with beef stew meat and some other cuts. She accepted the limits as inevitable.“Ultimately, you had to see it was coming to this,” Livingston said. “You have to limit the supply so everyone can get some and it’s fair.”A few hundred yards away at Publix Super Markets on Tuesday afternoon, the store was limiting shoppers to two packages of chicken and was running low. But it was noticeably better stocked on beef and pork.Some companies — including Target and McDonald’s — have no restrictions in place. McDonald’s said last week it has seen no supply interruptions because it uses a wide variety of suppliers.Meat producer Tyson Foods Inc. said it’s working hard to get its plants back up safely.“It’s very difficult to speculate on how challenges to the food supply will evolve in the coming weeks, but we are doing our best to maximize our production to meet demand,” the company said in a statement.Makers of alternative proteins say they can help fill the void. El Segundo, California-based Beyond Meat said Tuesday it will be offering lower-cost value packs over the next few weeks to encourage companies to try its burgers. The company said its first-quarter revenue jumped 141% to $97 million, partly because consumers stocked up ahead of lockdowns in March.“I think we have snuck in at just the right time,” Beyond Meat President and CEO Ethan Brown said.Impossible Foods, which makes soy-based burgers and sausage, said Tuesday it’s accelerating its retail sales after seeing a falloff in sales to restaurants. Its burgers will go on sale at 1,700 Kroger grocery stores starting this week, which more than doubles the number of stores offering them. In January, the burgers were only available at 250 stores nationwide.Impossible said consumer awareness of its products is up sharply, and it’s seeing evidence that more people are trying alternative meats.Impossible says it’s able to produce plant-based foods safely because workers can stay farther apart and more machinery is automated than in slaughterhouses. Beyond Meat also said it has had no reported illnesses at its facilities.“Anytime there’s a spotlight illuminating what’s actually involved in slaughtering animals and producing meat it is bad news for the meat industry,” Impossible CEO Pat Brown said.Dr. Praeger’s, a New Jersey-based maker of plant-based chicken tenders, veggie burgers and other products, said it has also seen higher sales since the pandemic began and is adding another production line to handle demand.Nielsen says sales of fresh meat alternatives were up 224% the week ending April 25. It noted fresh meat sales jumped 50% in the same period.___

Where's the beef? Production shutdown leads to shortage

MARSHFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A preliminary hearing has been postponed for a southwest Missouri man accused of killing his wife in 2015 and stowing her body in a freezer for years.

The hearing for Larry Dinwiddie will now be held in July.

Dinwiddie is charged with second-degree murder and abandonment of a corpse. The body of his wife, Cynthia Dinwiddie,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2026496a05084124bd4c08111eaa9a83">was found inside a freezer&nbsp;</a>at a storage facility near Marshfield last November. After Dinwiddie fell behind on rental fees, workers at the storage facility found the body in a running freezer that had been padlocked shut.

Dinwiddie remains jailed on $1 million bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574908400828.png" alt="Dinwiddie -photo Webster Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Dinwiddie -photo Webster Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>MARSHFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A preliminary hearing has been postponed for a southwest Missouri man accused of killing his wife in 2015 and stowing her body in a freezer for years.The hearing for Larry Dinwiddie will now be held in July.Dinwiddie is charged with second-degree murder and abandonment of a corpse. The body of his wife, Cynthia Dinwiddie,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2026496a05084124bd4c08111eaa9a83">was found inside a freezer&nbsp;</a>at a storage facility near Marshfield last November. After Dinwiddie fell behind on rental fees, workers at the storage facility found the body in a running freezer that had been padlocked shut.Dinwiddie remains jailed on $1 million bond.

Update: Man accused of stowing wife's body in freezer

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A suspect in the April shooting death of an 18-year-old Wichita woman told a friend he chased down the car the woman was in and “unloaded” a semi-automatic rifle on the car following a fight at a local trailer park, according to the friend’s testimony in court records.

Police detailed the statement in an arrest affidavit. The statement was reportedly given to investigators looking into the April 13 shooting that killed Aubrey Resendez. Prosecutors have charged Joshua Johnson, 32, of Wichita, with first-degree murder in her death.

Police say in the affidavit that investigators tracked a truck used in the attack to a Wichita home, where investigators found a friend of Johnson’s. The friend told police that Johnson showed up at his home the day of the shooting holding an assault rifle and saying he had argued with two men at the trailer park where he lived. The friend said Johnson told him he then retrieved the rifle, chased the car the men were in and “unloaded on them.”

Police have said Resendez was in the car with her boyfriend and brother at the time. The two men were not hurt in the shooting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586790756899.png" alt="Police on the scene of the fatal shooting -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the fatal shooting -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A suspect in the April shooting death of an 18-year-old Wichita woman told a friend he chased down the car the woman was in and “unloaded” a semi-automatic rifle on the car following a fight at a local trailer park, according to the friend’s testimony in court records.Police detailed the statement in an arrest affidavit. The statement was reportedly given to investigators looking into the April 13 shooting that killed Aubrey Resendez. Prosecutors have charged Joshua Johnson, 32, of Wichita, with first-degree murder in her death.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587056156024.png" alt="Johnson photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Johnson photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Police say in the affidavit that investigators tracked a truck used in the attack to a Wichita home, where investigators found a friend of Johnson’s. The friend told police that Johnson showed up at his home the day of the shooting holding an assault rifle and saying he had argued with two men at the trailer park where he lived. The friend said Johnson told him he then retrieved the rifle, chased the car the men were in and “unloaded on them.”Police have said Resendez was in the car with her boyfriend and brother at the time. The two men were not hurt in the shooting.Johnson is being held on $300,000 bond.

Court documents: Kan. man 'unloaded' rifle on car after dispute

Breana McPherson has been located and is safe, according to Scott City police.&nbsp; They released no additional details.

SCOTT COUNTY&nbsp; — Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help to located a missing 15-year-old girl from Scott City, according to a social media report from police.

Breana McPherson is a described as 5-foot-3 and weighs 102 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

She was reported missing at approximately 3a.m. Tuesday.

Authorities found the vehicle she took at the Scott County Cemetery. Police say they are very worried about her welfare and asking the public for help locating her. She may be in the Garden City area, according to police.

If you have any information of her possible whereabouts call the Scott City Police Department at (620) 872-2133. You may remain anonymous!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588687330077.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Breana McPherson7p.m. updateBreana McPherson has been located and is safe, according to Scott City police.&nbsp; They released no additional details.--------SCOTT COUNTY&nbsp; — Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help to located a missing 15-year-old girl from Scott City, according to a social media report from police.Breana McPherson is a described as 5-foot-3 and weighs 102 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.She was reported missing at approximately 3a.m. Tuesday.Authorities found the vehicle she took at the Scott County Cemetery. Police say they are very worried about her welfare and asking the public for help locating her. She may be in the Garden City area, according to police.If you have any information of her possible whereabouts call the Scott City Police Department at (620) 872-2133. You may remain anonymous!

Police: Missing Kan. teen found safe

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man who died in a shootout in which he killed a police officer was struggling with drug and alcohol addiction and had become increasingly threatening while awaiting trial on burglary and assault charges, according to a prosecutor and a relative of the man who were trying to have him kept in jail.

Phillip Michael Carney, 38, died Sunday after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/04798a0d0795c8037a009f4d11170f8">shootout</a>&nbsp;with Overland Park Officer Mike Mosher, who was gunned down after stopping Carney’s vehicle after an apparent hit-and-run in the Kansas City suburb, authorities said. Police haven’t said what led to the gun battle or whether Carney was killed by Mosher or killed himself.

Mosher was a nearly 15-year veteran of the police department and was named officer of the year in 2019.

Carney was charged in January with burglaries at a cigar shop in Lawrence, and a Douglas County prosecutor on Friday filed a motion to revoke his bond, The Lawrence Journal-World&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.ljworld.com/news/state-region/2020/may/04/shootout-leaves-officer-hit-and-run-suspect-dead-in-overland-park/" target="_blank">reported.</a>&nbsp;A relative of Carney wrote a letter to a county judge in February, before his release, saying Carney was a threat to her family.

Carney, a self-employed ballroom dance instructor who lived in Overland Park, also was charged with battery of a law enforcement officer and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer during his arrests in the burglary cases, according to court records.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Eve Kemple on Friday filed a motion to revoke Carney’s bond in all four of his pending cases, saying he had a history of “violent and erratic” behavior and convictions for misdemeanor battery, domestic battery and assault. She wrote that Carney was being charged with making a criminal threat after he was heard threatening a victim with violence on April 28, but the motion does not go into detail.

“That the defendant is capable of violence is demonstrated by his own repeated behaviors and is reflected in the criminal charges he is facing,” Kemple wrote.

In a letter to the Douglas County Court, a family member said Carney made several threats against her and other family members, including threatening to kill one relative and slashing the tires of family members’ vehicles, the Journal-World reported.

“He has upped his game as far as threats go,” the letter said. “He needs help for his addictions and we believe he will only get that help if he is in jail. We do not think it is in our best interest for him to be out since his threats get more and more violent.”

At a Feb. 13 hearing for the burglary charges, Carney was charged with tampering with his electronic monitoring device from previous cases. He was remanded back to the Douglas County jail on $290,000 case bond but was released Feb. 20 after making bond.

In her letter, Carney’s relative said that Carney’s dance students bailed him out several times and enabled him to continue his drug and alcohol use.

“These well-meaning friends keep rescuing him from his behavior and he does not stay sober,” she wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588627743741.png" alt="Carney photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Carney photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man who died in a shootout in which he killed a police officer was struggling with drug and alcohol addiction and had become increasingly threatening while awaiting trial on burglary and assault charges, according to a prosecutor and a relative of the man who were trying to have him kept in jail.Phillip Michael Carney, 38, died Sunday after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/04798a0d0795c8037a009f4d11170f8">shootout</a>&nbsp;with Overland Park Officer Mike Mosher, who was gunned down after stopping Carney’s vehicle after an apparent hit-and-run in the Kansas City suburb, authorities said. Police haven’t said what led to the gun battle or whether Carney was killed by Mosher or killed himself.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588597817471.png" alt="Officer Mike Mosher-photo courtesy Overland Park PD" />
 <figcaption>Officer Mike Mosher-photo courtesy Overland Park PD</figcaption>
 </figure>Mosher was a nearly 15-year veteran of the police department and was named officer of the year in 2019.Carney was charged in January with burglaries at a cigar shop in Lawrence, and a Douglas County prosecutor on Friday filed a motion to revoke his bond, The Lawrence Journal-World&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.ljworld.com/news/state-region/2020/may/04/shootout-leaves-officer-hit-and-run-suspect-dead-in-overland-park/" target="_blank">reported.</a>&nbsp;A relative of Carney wrote a letter to a county judge in February, before his release, saying Carney was a threat to her family.Carney, a self-employed ballroom dance instructor who lived in Overland Park, also was charged with battery of a law enforcement officer and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer during his arrests in the burglary cases, according to court records.Chief Assistant District Attorney Eve Kemple on Friday filed a motion to revoke Carney’s bond in all four of his pending cases, saying he had a history of “violent and erratic” behavior and convictions for misdemeanor battery, domestic battery and assault. She wrote that Carney was being charged with making a criminal threat after he was heard threatening a victim with violence on April 28, but the motion does not go into detail.“That the defendant is capable of violence is demonstrated by his own repeated behaviors and is reflected in the criminal charges he is facing,” Kemple wrote.In a letter to the Douglas County Court, a family member said Carney made several threats against her and other family members, including threatening to kill one relative and slashing the tires of family members’ vehicles, the Journal-World reported.“He has upped his game as far as threats go,” the letter said. “He needs help for his addictions and we believe he will only get that help if he is in jail. We do not think it is in our best interest for him to be out since his threats get more and more violent.”At a Feb. 13 hearing for the burglary charges, Carney was charged with tampering with his electronic monitoring device from previous cases. He was remanded back to the Douglas County jail on $290,000 case bond but was released Feb. 20 after making bond.In her letter, Carney’s relative said that Carney’s dance students bailed him out several times and enabled him to continue his drug and alcohol use.“These well-meaning friends keep rescuing him from his behavior and he does not stay sober,” she wrote.

Records: Man who shot Kansas officer had violent history

By BRENT MARTIN,&nbsp;<a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — More than 400 Triumph Foods workers tested positive for COVID-19, though
they didn’t display symptoms of the coronavirus.

The Missouri Department of Health and Human Services reports 412 of the
2,367 workers tested at the St. Joseph pork processing plant last week tested
positive. Triumph workers not tested last week are being tested at the Northwest
Health Services southside St. Joseph clinic.

This was the largest effort in the state’s strategy to “box in” a COVID-19
outbreak, implemented after Triumph reported two workers tested positive for
the coronavirus. Triumph committed to testing all workers in an effort to keep
the virus from spreading.

Under CDC guidelines, Triumph employees can return to work if they do
not display symptoms for 10 days after being tested.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588706059523.jpeg" alt="Triumph Foods testing site set up by Northwest Health Services/Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Triumph Foods testing site set up by Northwest Health Services/Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTIN,&nbsp;<a href="https://stjosephpost.com">St. Joseph Post</a>ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — More than 400 Triumph Foods workers tested positive for COVID-19, though
they didn’t display symptoms of the coronavirus.The Missouri Department of Health and Human Services reports 412 of the
2,367 workers tested at the St. Joseph pork processing plant last week tested
positive. Triumph workers not tested last week are being tested at the Northwest
Health Services southside St. Joseph clinic.This was the largest effort in the state’s strategy to “box in” a COVID-19
outbreak, implemented after Triumph reported two workers tested positive for
the coronavirus. Triumph committed to testing all workers in an effort to keep
the virus from spreading.Under CDC guidelines, Triumph employees can return to work if they do
not display symptoms for 10 days after being tested.

400 of 2,367 workers at Mo. pork plant test positive for COVID-19

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pressed ahead Tuesday with the next&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus&nbsp;</a>aid, a sweeping $800 billion-plus package that is expected to be unveiled soon even as the House stays closed while the Senate reopens in the pandemic.

Key to any plan to reopen the economy, Democrats say, is robust testing. They are also expected to propose another round of direct cash aid for anxious Americans, funds for states to prevent layoffs and more money to shore up businesses in the stay-home economy.

“We still don’t have a national testing strategy that is adequate,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday. He called it embarrassing. “It’s life and death.”

The contours of the next package are taking shape despite Republican resistance to more outlays and a deepening debate over how best to confront the deadly pandemic and its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7f38d7fa2982dc53572232c9d2049dca">economic devastation</a>.

President Donald Trump is encouraging states to reopen and Republicans hope the gradual comeback will kick-start the economy, reducing the pressure for more pricey aid.

“Now it’s time to go back to work,” Trump said Tuesday at the White House.

Under strict social distancing guidelines, the Senate reconvened Monday for the first time since March, while the House is staying away due to the health risks as the conflicted Congress reflects an uneasy nation. The Washington area remains a virus hot spot under stay-home rules.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell opened the chamber defending his decision to focus the agenda on confirming Trump’s nominees rather than the virus outbreak.

On Tuesday, McConnell insisted that any new aid package must include liability protections for the hospitals, health care providers and businesses that are operating and reopening in the pandemic.

But the Republican leader also signaled an interest in beefed up virus testing strategies as central to the nation’s ability to take steps “back toward normalcy.”

“Testing, tracking, treatments,” McConnell said from the Senate floor. “Our task ahead will be to keep seeking thoughtful solutions.”

By reconvening this week, Senate Republicans are trying to set the terms of debate, frustrated that Pelosi was able to fill up earlier aid bills with Democratic priorities. They’re reluctant to unleash federal funds beyond the nearly $3 trillion Congress already approved in virus relief and hope Trump’s push to re-open will reduce the need for more aid.

For more than five weeks, the COVID-19 crisis has all but closed Congress, a longer absence than during the 1918 Spanish flu.

Senators returned to a changed place with new guidelines, including the recommendation that senators wear masks — blue face coverings were available for free, and being worn by staff. They were also told to keep their distance and leave most staff at home. Public access is limited, including at public hearings. The Capitol itself remains closed to visitors and tours.

It’s not just lawmakers at risk. Reopening part of Capitol Hill poses health risks for the cooks, cleaners, police officers and other workers who keep the Capitol complex functioning.

Democrats are eyeing the new aid package as states and cities seek as much as $1 trillion to prevent local layoffs and keep paying nurses, police, firefighters and other front-line workers as local revenues tank during the stay-home shutdown.

Pelosi outlined the governors’ requests for $500 billion, with the counties and cities seeking as much as $300 billion, which she has said could be spread out over the next several years. On a private conference call with House Democrats on Monday, she also discussed a “paycheck guarantee” for the newly jobless.

Pelosi told reporters Tuesday on Capitol Hill the new package will be “just very directly related to saving lives, the livelihood and the life of our democracy.”

Several House committee chairmen outlined the provisions expected in the upcoming bill, according to a statement from the Democratic caucus after the private call.

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal discussed another round of additional direct cash payments for families and extending unemployment insurance. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Ca., chair of the Financial Services Committee, focused on helping homeowners, renters and small landlords make rent and mortgage payments, the statement said. Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone spoke about investing in virus testing and contact tracing.

Trump said any new package must have a payroll-tax holiday.

In the Senate, McConnell has loaded up the schedule with consideration of Trump’s nominees, including a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9788d3f3fe54884631ccc5592a4a118c">hearing Tuesday on John Ratcliffe,</a>&nbsp;the Texas Republican congressman who is Trump’s choice to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588696644712.png" alt="&nbsp;House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ahead of Tuesday's ceremonial swearing-in for Congressman-elect Kweisi Mfume of Maryland -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ahead of Tuesday's ceremonial swearing-in for Congressman-elect Kweisi Mfume of Maryland -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi pressed ahead Tuesday with the next&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus&nbsp;</a>aid, a sweeping $800 billion-plus package that is expected to be unveiled soon even as the House stays closed while the Senate reopens in the pandemic.Key to any plan to reopen the economy, Democrats say, is robust testing. They are also expected to propose another round of direct cash aid for anxious Americans, funds for states to prevent layoffs and more money to shore up businesses in the stay-home economy.“We still don’t have a national testing strategy that is adequate,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday. He called it embarrassing. “It’s life and death.”The contours of the next package are taking shape despite Republican resistance to more outlays and a deepening debate over how best to confront the deadly pandemic and its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7f38d7fa2982dc53572232c9d2049dca">economic devastation</a>.President Donald Trump is encouraging states to reopen and Republicans hope the gradual comeback will kick-start the economy, reducing the pressure for more pricey aid.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588705884068.png" alt="President Trump spoke with reporters before a Tuesday trip to Arizona-White House courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>President Trump spoke with reporters before a Tuesday trip to Arizona-White House courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>“Now it’s time to go back to work,” Trump said Tuesday at the White House.Under strict social distancing guidelines, the Senate reconvened Monday for the first time since March, while the House is staying away due to the health risks as the conflicted Congress reflects an uneasy nation. The Washington area remains a virus hot spot under stay-home rules.Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell opened the chamber defending his decision to focus the agenda on confirming Trump’s nominees rather than the virus outbreak.On Tuesday, McConnell insisted that any new aid package must include liability protections for the hospitals, health care providers and businesses that are operating and reopening in the pandemic.But the Republican leader also signaled an interest in beefed up virus testing strategies as central to the nation’s ability to take steps “back toward normalcy.”“Testing, tracking, treatments,” McConnell said from the Senate floor. “Our task ahead will be to keep seeking thoughtful solutions.”By reconvening this week, Senate Republicans are trying to set the terms of debate, frustrated that Pelosi was able to fill up earlier aid bills with Democratic priorities. They’re reluctant to unleash federal funds beyond the nearly $3 trillion Congress already approved in virus relief and hope Trump’s push to re-open will reduce the need for more aid.For more than five weeks, the COVID-19 crisis has all but closed Congress, a longer absence than during the 1918 Spanish flu.Senators returned to a changed place with new guidelines, including the recommendation that senators wear masks — blue face coverings were available for free, and being worn by staff. They were also told to keep their distance and leave most staff at home. Public access is limited, including at public hearings. The Capitol itself remains closed to visitors and tours.It’s not just lawmakers at risk. Reopening part of Capitol Hill poses health risks for the cooks, cleaners, police officers and other workers who keep the Capitol complex functioning.Democrats are eyeing the new aid package as states and cities seek as much as $1 trillion to prevent local layoffs and keep paying nurses, police, firefighters and other front-line workers as local revenues tank during the stay-home shutdown.Pelosi outlined the governors’ requests for $500 billion, with the counties and cities seeking as much as $300 billion, which she has said could be spread out over the next several years. On a private conference call with House Democrats on Monday, she also discussed a “paycheck guarantee” for the newly jobless.Pelosi told reporters Tuesday on Capitol Hill the new package will be “just very directly related to saving lives, the livelihood and the life of our democracy.”Several House committee chairmen outlined the provisions expected in the upcoming bill, according to a statement from the Democratic caucus after the private call.Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal discussed another round of additional direct cash payments for families and extending unemployment insurance. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Ca., chair of the Financial Services Committee, focused on helping homeowners, renters and small landlords make rent and mortgage payments, the statement said. Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone spoke about investing in virus testing and contact tracing.Trump said any new package must have a payroll-tax holiday.In the Senate, McConnell has loaded up the schedule with consideration of Trump’s nominees, including a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9788d3f3fe54884631ccc5592a4a118c">hearing Tuesday on John Ratcliffe,</a>&nbsp;the Texas Republican congressman who is Trump’s choice to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.___

Pelosi pushes new virus relief package as GOP hits 'pause'

By STEPHAN BISAHA <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/coronavirus-and-crashing-aviation-industry-hollow-out-kansas-tech-colleges-pitch">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA, Kansas — It’s a simple, tempting pitch: hands-on training tailored for specific, high-demand jobs.

It
 led thousands of students to enroll in Kansas technical colleges. But 
COVID-19 and a collapsing aviation industry undid that promise.

Hands-on
 learning can’t replace the online lessons that social distancing 
demands. And many of those high-demand jobs that schools promised on the
 other side of a certification wilted with the economy. Others 
disappeared with the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max.

Few things 
illustrate how highly specialized tech school training can go wrong like
 the problems with the jetliner. It's stretched past a year and made 
some plane-building skills irrelevant.

Education experts say the 
Boeing example and COVID-19 also test a key premise of some tech 
education programs designed to train workers for the needs of specific 
companies. Yet they say schools like WSU Tech can adapt.

“Right 
now, it’s a triple whammy,” said Lauren Eyster, a senior fellow with the
 Urban Institute. “(But) they are, especially Wichtia, pretty well 
poised to respond to this.”

The rapid boom of Kansas tech colleges stands out against the state’s more traditionally academic schools.

Stagnant
 enrollment began troubling the state’s universities since 2013. 
Community colleges fared worse over the same period, when enrollment 
dropped more than 15%.

That distressed the Kansas educators. A 
decade ago, they forecasted an economy held back by a lack of college 
graduates needed for high-skilled jobs.

Tech colleges proved to 
be the one bright exception to the state’s enrollment downturn. While 
they still taught only a fraction of the students learning at the state 
universities, tech college enrollment has jumped more than 51% since 
2013.

A large part of the appeal? Hands-on training.

Professors
 still lecture. Students still read from textbooks. But students also 
handle welding torches, rivet guns and sanders. It can take two years at
 a university before a student begins any core classes. Tech schools 
thrive on getting students onto a replica factory floor within a few 
weeks.

But with the coronavirus, hands-on learning went from selling point to weakness.

In
 March, before the state’s shelter-in-place order, colleges were already
 canceling in-person classes. WSU Tech had moved its lecturers and some 
of its less complex training online. But many of those lessons can’t be 
taught over videoconference.

“It’s really hard to rig an aircraft
 in a virtual environment,” said James Hall, dean of Aviation 
Technologies at WSU Tech. “But we’re doing as much as we can to get the 
students ready.”

The Federal Aviation Administration requires 
in-person training for many plane-building jobs. While the agency lifted
 some of those rules because of the virus, some of that training still 
has to happen on site.

WSU Tech hopes to bring small batches of 
students on campus in June, assuming no state or county shelter-in-place
 orders extend past May.

The trouble with hands-on training will eventually go away.

But
 the one-two punch of the coronavirus and the grounding of the 737 Max 
to Kansas’ aviation economy will have longer lasting effects.

Two
 years ago, the Kansas aviation industry looked untouchable. At the end 
of 2018, Spirit AeroSystems announced plans to create <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/spirit-aerosystems-announces-it-will-hire-1400-more-workers-kansas" target="_blank">1,400 new jobs</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The
 biggest challenge was having a skilled workforce to fill those jobs. 
WSU Tech was willing to pay students to move to the state and get 
trained for them.

Then two crashes of Boeing 737 Max planes led to the grounding of the airliner.

Economists
 said that wouldn’t hurt the industry much as long as the plane returned
 to the air in a few months. But March marked a year since the Max last 
flew. Spirit <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/spirit-aerosystems-lay-2800-workers-amid-737-max-shutdown" target="_blank">laid off 2,800 workers in January</a> — twice as many as it planned to hire in 2018. A

Then the coronavirus ripped through the U.S. economy. Both <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/another-dose-bad-news-wichitas-economy-more-furloughs-spirit" target="_blank">Spirit AeroSystems</a> and <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/textron-aviation-furloughing-workers-coronavirus-outbreak-affects-production" target="_blank">Textron Aviation</a> began furloughing workers, and last week, Spirit announced&nbsp;<a href="http://docs.google.com/document/d/1_6R1NMmd2LEcYsUkwxYLMDFdKBFCamMjkrUe79oeobQ/edit" target="_blank">a round of layoffs</a>&nbsp;for nearly 1,500 workers.&nbsp;

The state’s tech schools had been a training pipeline for those companies, but now that pipeline is disconnected.

Tech
 schools now must adapt to an economy without employees begging for 
workers. The largest challenge for that change is cost. Technical 
training is expensive. Schools must either find the money for new 
equipment needed for that hands-training, or find ways to retrofit what 
they already own.

Education experts say tech colleges have two 
advantages over universities when shifting to the economy. First, they 
have stronger ties to the local business community and therefore a 
better understanding of their needs. And second, they don’t have to go 
through lengthy curriculum reviews to get new programs started.

“That’s part of the beauty of who we are,” said Sheree Utash, president of WSU Tech.

Tech
 schools often tailor their programs based on what employers say they 
need. WSU Tech cut its sheet metal program from eight weeks to six 
because Spirit needed the workers quickly. Students train on the same 
equipment used by the companies offering jobs well before graduation 
day.

All college programs face a balancing act between specific 
and general education. Tech college’s strength comes from tipping that 
balance to focus on the needs of a local economy and local employers.

But that leaves graduates less employable ]when their niche in the economy goes south.

“The
 tragedy in this, especially for people with the most specific 
education, is they rely on the employer being there and the job being 
there,” said Tony Carnevale, director of the Georgetown University 
Center on Education and the Workforce. “And that’s no longer the case.”

But Kansas educators say tech school graduates get more than an education only useful for one employer.

“I
 know of no program that we have that we only train to one company,” 
said Scott Smathers, vice president of workforce development for the 
Kansas Board of Regents.

Recent WSU Tech graduates and laid-off 
aviation workers can go back to the college for retraining. While Spirit
 doesn’t need workers to build any more planes at the moment, those 
still flying need maintenance workers.

Educators say that’s the 
true strength of technical education. Students get high-paying jobs 
quickly with minimal time and money invested. They then can eventually 
go back to school.

Chris Coleman got hired as an aircraft painter
 at Textron Aviation after one semester at WSU Tech. Yet he got hooked 
by the hands-on training and immediately signed up for more classes. 
He’s now working toward a two-year associate’s degree.

“Crazy 
enough, I’m actually looking to stay even longer and take another 
program,” Coleman said. “So I’ll have been turning WSU Tech into almost a
 four-year college.”

Stephan Bisaha reports on education and young adult life for KMUW and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/stevebisaha?lang=en">@stevebisaha</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588703395697.png" alt=" Seth McConnell practices a weld during his welding class at Washburn Tech before the coronavirus shutdown. Chris Neal / For the Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Seth McConnell practices a weld during his welding class at Washburn Tech before the coronavirus shutdown. Chris Neal / For the Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEPHAN BISAHA <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/coronavirus-and-crashing-aviation-industry-hollow-out-kansas-tech-colleges-pitch">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA, Kansas — It’s a simple, tempting pitch: hands-on training tailored for specific, high-demand jobs.It
 led thousands of students to enroll in Kansas technical colleges. But 
COVID-19 and a collapsing aviation industry undid that promise.Hands-on
 learning can’t replace the online lessons that social distancing 
demands. And many of those high-demand jobs that schools promised on the
 other side of a certification wilted with the economy. Others 
disappeared with the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max.Few things 
illustrate how highly specialized tech school training can go wrong like
 the problems with the jetliner. It's stretched past a year and made 
some plane-building skills irrelevant.Education experts say the 
Boeing example and COVID-19 also test a key premise of some tech 
education programs designed to train workers for the needs of specific 
companies. Yet they say schools like WSU Tech can adapt.“Right 
now, it’s a triple whammy,” said Lauren Eyster, a senior fellow with the
 Urban Institute. “(But) they are, especially Wichtia, pretty well 
poised to respond to this.”<h2>Hands-on appeal</h2>The rapid boom of Kansas tech colleges stands out against the state’s more traditionally academic schools.Stagnant
 enrollment began troubling the state’s universities since 2013. 
Community colleges fared worse over the same period, when enrollment 
dropped more than 15%.That distressed the Kansas educators. A 
decade ago, they forecasted an economy held back by a lack of college 
graduates needed for high-skilled jobs.Tech colleges proved to 
be the one bright exception to the state’s enrollment downturn. While 
they still taught only a fraction of the students learning at the state 
universities, tech college enrollment has jumped more than 51% since 
2013.A large part of the appeal? Hands-on training.Professors
 still lecture. Students still read from textbooks. But students also 
handle welding torches, rivet guns and sanders. It can take two years at
 a university before a student begins any core classes. Tech schools 
thrive on getting students onto a replica factory floor within a few 
weeks.But with the coronavirus, hands-on learning went from selling point to weakness.In
 March, before the state’s shelter-in-place order, colleges were already
 canceling in-person classes. WSU Tech had moved its lecturers and some 
of its less complex training online. But many of those lessons can’t be 
taught over videoconference.“It’s really hard to rig an aircraft
 in a virtual environment,” said James Hall, dean of Aviation 
Technologies at WSU Tech. “But we’re doing as much as we can to get the 
students ready.”The Federal Aviation Administration requires 
in-person training for many plane-building jobs. While the agency lifted
 some of those rules because of the virus, some of that training still 
has to happen on site.WSU Tech hopes to bring small batches of 
students on campus in June, assuming no state or county shelter-in-place
 orders extend past May.<h2>Jobs no longer there</h2>The trouble with hands-on training will eventually go away.But
 the one-two punch of the coronavirus and the grounding of the 737 Max 
to Kansas’ aviation economy will have longer lasting effects.Two
 years ago, the Kansas aviation industry looked untouchable. At the end 
of 2018, Spirit AeroSystems announced plans to create <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/spirit-aerosystems-announces-it-will-hire-1400-more-workers-kansas" target="_blank">1,400 new jobs</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;The
 biggest challenge was having a skilled workforce to fill those jobs. 
WSU Tech was willing to pay students to move to the state and get 
trained for them.Then two crashes of Boeing 737 Max planes led to the grounding of the airliner.Economists
 said that wouldn’t hurt the industry much as long as the plane returned
 to the air in a few months. But March marked a year since the Max last 
flew. Spirit <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/spirit-aerosystems-lay-2800-workers-amid-737-max-shutdown" target="_blank">laid off 2,800 workers in January</a> — twice as many as it planned to hire in 2018. AThen the coronavirus ripped through the U.S. economy. Both <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/another-dose-bad-news-wichitas-economy-more-furloughs-spirit" target="_blank">Spirit AeroSystems</a> and <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/textron-aviation-furloughing-workers-coronavirus-outbreak-affects-production" target="_blank">Textron Aviation</a> began furloughing workers, and last week, Spirit announced&nbsp;<a href="http://docs.google.com/document/d/1_6R1NMmd2LEcYsUkwxYLMDFdKBFCamMjkrUe79oeobQ/edit" target="_blank">a round of layoffs</a>&nbsp;for nearly 1,500 workers.&nbsp;The state’s tech schools had been a training pipeline for those companies, but now that pipeline is disconnected.Tech
 schools now must adapt to an economy without employees begging for 
workers. The largest challenge for that change is cost. Technical 
training is expensive. Schools must either find the money for new 
equipment needed for that hands-training, or find ways to retrofit what 
they already own.Education experts say tech colleges have two 
advantages over universities when shifting to the economy. First, they 
have stronger ties to the local business community and therefore a 
better understanding of their needs. And second, they don’t have to go 
through lengthy curriculum reviews to get new programs started.“That’s part of the beauty of who we are,” said Sheree Utash, president of WSU Tech.<h2>Back to school</h2>Tech
 schools often tailor their programs based on what employers say they 
need. WSU Tech cut its sheet metal program from eight weeks to six 
because Spirit needed the workers quickly. Students train on the same 
equipment used by the companies offering jobs well before graduation 
day.All college programs face a balancing act between specific 
and general education. Tech college’s strength comes from tipping that 
balance to focus on the needs of a local economy and local employers.But that leaves graduates less employable ]when their niche in the economy goes south.“The
 tragedy in this, especially for people with the most specific 
education, is they rely on the employer being there and the job being 
there,” said Tony Carnevale, director of the Georgetown University 
Center on Education and the Workforce. “And that’s no longer the case.”But Kansas educators say tech school graduates get more than an education only useful for one employer.“I
 know of no program that we have that we only train to one company,” 
said Scott Smathers, vice president of workforce development for the 
Kansas Board of Regents.Recent WSU Tech graduates and laid-off 
aviation workers can go back to the college for retraining. While Spirit
 doesn’t need workers to build any more planes at the moment, those 
still flying need maintenance workers.Educators say that’s the 
true strength of technical education. Students get high-paying jobs 
quickly with minimal time and money invested. They then can eventually 
go back to school.Chris Coleman got hired as an aircraft painter
 at Textron Aviation after one semester at WSU Tech. Yet he got hooked 
by the hands-on training and immediately signed up for more classes. 
He’s now working toward a two-year associate’s degree.“Crazy 
enough, I’m actually looking to stay even longer and take another 
program,” Coleman said. “So I’ll have been turning WSU Tech into almost a
 four-year college.”Stephan Bisaha reports on education and young adult life for KMUW and the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/stevebisaha?lang=en">@stevebisaha</a>.

Virus, crashing aviation industry hollow out Kan. tech college's pitch

BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas law enforcement agencies seized more than $3.35 million in property during a six-month period last year, disproportionately from young black and Hispanic male drivers.

Counties reporting significant currency seizures are located along Interstate 70 or Interstate 35 and have officers assigned to look for drugs. The overwhelming amount of currency seized was uncontested in forfeiture actions.

Those are some of the first findings stemming from a Kansas law that took effect July 1 and requiring that law enforcement agencies report to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation all seizures of property and cash.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6879203-Kansas-2019-Civil-Asset-Forfeiture-Report.html" target="_blank">2019 Civil Asset Forfeiture Report</a>, released in April, covers the period between July 1 and December 31.

Under civil forfeiture, law enforcement agencies can seize cash, cars and other valuables from those they suspect of illegal activity without charging or convicting anyone of a crime. Getting the property back usually involves expensive civil litigation. Law enforcement agencies use the proceeds from the seized property to fund operations, training, vehicles, and facilities, among other uses.

The law enforcement community says civil asset forfeiture is a tool for stopping crime by taking drugs and drug proceeds, as well as guns and other property used for criminal activity, off the streets. Critics say law enforcement has an incentive for taking property because the agencies can keep the proceeds.

“It’s beyond time for reform, and that is why we’ve supported legislative efforts to, at minimum, have non-contraband property returned upon acquittal or case dismissal, without the property owner having to engage in a burdensome and costly process to reclaim what is theirs,” said Nadine Johnson, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, in an emailed statement.

“Once their property has been seized, these ordinary people must then navigate a civil legal system that is stacked against them.”

Statewide, the seizures included more than $2.7 million in currency and more than $590,000 in property. Ninety-one percent of currency forfeitures were uncontested.

A KBI analysis of race and ethnicity in the the incident reports shows that blacks, who make up 6% of the state’s population, were involved in 20% of the reported seizures. Hispanics, who make up 12% of the state’s population, accounted for 20% of seizures. More than 86% of Kansans are white, yet they account for 56% of seizures. About 81% of seizures involved males.

The Kansas Highway Patrol, one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the state, seized by far the most property — taking in $1.24 million alone during the six-month period, the report showed.

Capt. Andrew Dean said in an email that the patrol’s focus on highways puts troopers in a position to “not only identify localized criminal activities but also the transitory criminal element that are passing through destined for other states.”

The Junction City Police Department trailed far behind KHP in second place with $245,401 in seizures, followed by the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office with $217,210. Six other agencies reported seizures in excess of $100,000.

In 87% of the seizures, the case was forwarded to prosecutors for charges. About 74% of those charges related to the distribution or manufacturing of controlled substances, and 11% were for drug possession.

The KBI said 17 law enforcement agencies did not comply with the law’s reporting provision, despite repeated notices. Those agencies are prohibited from filing further forfeiture actions until they are back in compliance.

Agencies that did not comply with the reporting law are police departments in Baxter Springs, Chetopa, Conway Springs, Florence, Hoyt, Lewis, Meriden, Mount Hope, Osawatomie, Stafford, WaKeeney and Walton and sheriff’s offices in Clark, Elk, Hodgeman, Lincoln and Thomas counties, according to the report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574703468154.png" alt="photo courtesy Kansas Highway Patrol" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy Kansas Highway Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas law enforcement agencies seized more than $3.35 million in property during a six-month period last year, disproportionately from young black and Hispanic male drivers.Counties reporting significant currency seizures are located along Interstate 70 or Interstate 35 and have officers assigned to look for drugs. The overwhelming amount of currency seized was uncontested in forfeiture actions.Those are some of the first findings stemming from a Kansas law that took effect July 1 and requiring that law enforcement agencies report to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation all seizures of property and cash.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6879203-Kansas-2019-Civil-Asset-Forfeiture-Report.html" target="_blank">2019 Civil Asset Forfeiture Report</a>, released in April, covers the period between July 1 and December 31.Under civil forfeiture, law enforcement agencies can seize cash, cars and other valuables from those they suspect of illegal activity without charging or convicting anyone of a crime. Getting the property back usually involves expensive civil litigation. Law enforcement agencies use the proceeds from the seized property to fund operations, training, vehicles, and facilities, among other uses.The law enforcement community says civil asset forfeiture is a tool for stopping crime by taking drugs and drug proceeds, as well as guns and other property used for criminal activity, off the streets. Critics say law enforcement has an incentive for taking property because the agencies can keep the proceeds.“It’s beyond time for reform, and that is why we’ve supported legislative efforts to, at minimum, have non-contraband property returned upon acquittal or case dismissal, without the property owner having to engage in a burdensome and costly process to reclaim what is theirs,” said Nadine Johnson, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, in an emailed statement.“Once their property has been seized, these ordinary people must then navigate a civil legal system that is stacked against them.”Statewide, the seizures included more than $2.7 million in currency and more than $590,000 in property. Ninety-one percent of currency forfeitures were uncontested.A KBI analysis of race and ethnicity in the the incident reports shows that blacks, who make up 6% of the state’s population, were involved in 20% of the reported seizures. Hispanics, who make up 12% of the state’s population, accounted for 20% of seizures. More than 86% of Kansans are white, yet they account for 56% of seizures. About 81% of seizures involved males.The Kansas Highway Patrol, one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the state, seized by far the most property — taking in $1.24 million alone during the six-month period, the report showed.Capt. Andrew Dean said in an email that the patrol’s focus on highways puts troopers in a position to “not only identify localized criminal activities but also the transitory criminal element that are passing through destined for other states.”The Junction City Police Department trailed far behind KHP in second place with $245,401 in seizures, followed by the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office with $217,210. Six other agencies reported seizures in excess of $100,000.In 87% of the seizures, the case was forwarded to prosecutors for charges. About 74% of those charges related to the distribution or manufacturing of controlled substances, and 11% were for drug possession.The KBI said 17 law enforcement agencies did not comply with the law’s reporting provision, despite repeated notices. Those agencies are prohibited from filing further forfeiture actions until they are back in compliance.Agencies that did not comply with the reporting law are police departments in Baxter Springs, Chetopa, Conway Springs, Florence, Hoyt, Lewis, Meriden, Mount Hope, Osawatomie, Stafford, WaKeeney and Walton and sheriff’s offices in Clark, Elk, Hodgeman, Lincoln and Thomas counties, according to the report.

Report: Kansas law enforcement seized $3.35M in property

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 213 to a total of 5458, the state health department reported Tuesday afternoon.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 213 to a total of 5458, the state health department reported Tuesday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 137<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588699483601.png" alt="Tuesday May 5, 2020 Image KDHE" />
 <figcaption>Tuesday May 5, 2020 Image KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

WICHITA, Kan. — A Kansas man arrested April 30 in connection with a fatal April 23 shooting death in Wichita remains jailed on a $250,000 bond, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.

&nbsp;Jesse Sweeney, 28,&nbsp; made his first appearance in District Court May 1 and is charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault.&nbsp;

Two other suspects in the deadly shooting of Blake Mayes including his 36-year-old girlfriend Bobbie Williams&nbsp; and 51-year-old William Moore have been charged with second-degree murder.&nbsp;

Williams and Moore also are charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault. Both made first appearances April 28. Police investigators say the shooting happened after a disturbance occurred between Mayes, Williams and Sweeney. Police arrested Moore in Wichita and Williams in the Topeka area.&nbsp;

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating the April 23 shooting death of a 37-year-old Kansas man have arrested a third suspect.

On April 24, police released information to the community to help locate 28-year-old Jesse Sweeney, Bobbie Williams-Cox, and William Moore regarding the investigation.&nbsp;

Just after 4 p.m. on Thursday, an alert citizen called 911 reporting seeing Sweeney at an apartment complex in the 200 block of North Topeka in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. Upon arrival, officers attempted to contact Sweeney at an apartment, and he fled out a window onto the fire escape and onto a separate floor of the apartments.

Police covered off the area, located Sweeney, and arrested him without further incident.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He is being held on requested charges that include aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, use of a deadly weapon, contempt of court and failure to appear. He is being held on bonds totaling $258,500, according to online jail records.

Williams remains jailed on a $150,ooo bond- photo Sedgwick County

On Tuesday, Bobbie Williams, 36, was&nbsp; charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of her boyfriend Blake Mayes, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorey.

She and William Moore, 51, were also charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault when they&nbsp;&nbsp;made first appearances in court.

Police investigators say the shooting happened after a disturbance occurred between Mayes, Williams and Sweeney.&nbsp;

Police arrested Moore in Wichita and Williams in the Topeka area last weekend.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Sweeney has previously been arrested and convicted of charges of possession of narcotic drugs, according to Davidson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588334948493.png" alt="Sweeney " />
 <figcaption>Sweeney </figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. — A Kansas man arrested April 30 in connection with a fatal April 23 shooting death in Wichita remains jailed on a $250,000 bond, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.&nbsp;Jesse Sweeney, 28,&nbsp; made his first appearance in District Court May 1 and is charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault.&nbsp;Two other suspects in the deadly shooting of Blake Mayes including his 36-year-old girlfriend Bobbie Williams&nbsp; and 51-year-old William Moore have been charged with second-degree murder.&nbsp; Williams and Moore also are charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault. Both made first appearances April 28. Police investigators say the shooting happened after a disturbance occurred between Mayes, Williams and Sweeney. Police arrested Moore in Wichita and Williams in the Topeka area.&nbsp;-------SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating the April 23 shooting death of a 37-year-old Kansas man have arrested a third suspect.On April 24, police released information to the community to help locate 28-year-old Jesse Sweeney, Bobbie Williams-Cox, and William Moore regarding the investigation.&nbsp;Just after 4 p.m. on Thursday, an alert citizen called 911 reporting seeing Sweeney at an apartment complex in the 200 block of North Topeka in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. Upon arrival, officers attempted to contact Sweeney at an apartment, and he fled out a window onto the fire escape and onto a separate floor of the apartments.Police covered off the area, located Sweeney, and arrested him without further incident.&nbsp;&nbsp;He is being held on requested charges that include aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, use of a deadly weapon, contempt of court and failure to appear. He is being held on bonds totaling $258,500, according to online jail records.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587900733026.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Williams remains jailed on a $150,ooo bond- photo Sedgwick CountyOn Tuesday, Bobbie Williams, 36, was&nbsp; charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of her boyfriend Blake Mayes, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorey.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587856746805.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Moore photo Sedgwick Co.She and William Moore, 51, were also charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault when they&nbsp;&nbsp;made first appearances in court.Police investigators say the shooting happened after a disturbance occurred between Mayes, Williams and Sweeney.&nbsp;Police arrested Moore in Wichita and Williams in the Topeka area last weekend.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sweeney has previously been arrested and convicted of charges of possession of narcotic drugs, according to Davidson.

3rd suspect charged in murder of Kan. woman's boyfriend

BARTON COUNTY —A Kansas man avoided injury Monday after a farm implement became tangled in power lines.

Just after 3p.m., sheriff’s officers and the Claflin Fire Department responded to the 1300 block of Northeast 120 Avenue to a reported agricultural related accident, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

BARTON COUNTY —A Kansas man avoided injury Monday after a farm implement became tangled in power lines.Just after 3p.m., sheriff’s officers and the Claflin Fire Department responded to the 1300 block of Northeast 120 Avenue to a reported agricultural related accident, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.Upon arrival emergency responders discovered a tractor and implements operated by Kyle Albers of Ellinwood was entering the field at that location. One of the implements became entangled in overhead power lines. The driver was unaware of the situation causing a power pole to be pulled over and the tractor and implements entangled in live powerlines. Fortunately, Albers remained in the cab of the vehicle and did not come in contact with any energized surfaces. Midwest Energy happened to be working in the area and was able to shut the powerlines off, at which time Albers was able to exit from the cab.&nbsp; He was trapped in the cab for about 45 minutes, according to Bellendir..