LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — A three-vehicle crash on Interstate 435 in suburban Kansas City, Kansas, has seriously injured one person and shut down parts of the area's thoroughfare. Officials say the crash happened around 4 a.m. Tuesday, leading authorities to shut down the southbound lanes of I-435 in Lenexa. 

The Kansas Highway Patrol had initially reported that a person died in the crash, but later said the person was critically injured. The patrol says the crash involved two semi-trucks and a passenger vehicle. No other details of the crash — including the name of the person injured— were immediately available. Officials say southbound I-435 traffic is being detoured at 87th Street.

LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — A three-vehicle crash on Interstate 435 in suburban Kansas City, Kansas, critically injured one person and shut down parts of the area's thoroughfare. Officials say the crash happened around 4 a.m. Tuesday, leading authorities to shut down the southbound lanes of I-435 in Lenexa.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says two semi-trucks and a passenger vehicle were involved in the crash. No other details of the crash — including the name of those involved — were immediately available. Officials say southbound I-435 traffic is being detoured at 87th Street.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603198995041.png" alt="Scene of Tuesday morning's crash -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Scene of Tuesday morning's crash -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — A three-vehicle crash on Interstate 435 in suburban Kansas City, Kansas, has seriously injured one person and shut down parts of the area's thoroughfare. Officials say the crash happened around 4 a.m. Tuesday, leading authorities to shut down the southbound lanes of I-435 in Lenexa. The Kansas Highway Patrol had initially reported that a person died in the crash, but later said the person was critically injured. The patrol says the crash involved two semi-trucks and a passenger vehicle. No other details of the crash — including the name of the person injured— were immediately available. Officials say southbound I-435 traffic is being detoured at 87th Street.----------LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — A three-vehicle crash on Interstate 435 in suburban Kansas City, Kansas, critically injured one person and shut down parts of the area's thoroughfare. Officials say the crash happened around 4 a.m. Tuesday, leading authorities to shut down the southbound lanes of I-435 in Lenexa.The Kansas Highway Patrol says two semi-trucks and a passenger vehicle were involved in the crash. No other details of the crash — including the name of those involved — were immediately available. Officials say southbound I-435 traffic is being detoured at 87th Street.

3-vehicle crash near Kansas City, Kansas, closes I-435

TOPEKA, Kansas – A&nbsp; Ellsworth Correctional Facility resident who died Monday, October 19, 2020 had tested positive for COVID-19. This is the sixth resident death related to COVID-19, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

The resident tested positive on September 26 at which time he was moved to the Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) COVID-19 Management Unit (CMU).&nbsp; Three days later he was transported from LCF to the hospital.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The resident’s family has asked that his name not be released.&nbsp; He was a 60-year-old black male with underlying medical concerns that contributed to his condition.&nbsp;

This resident was serving a life sentence based on four sex crime convictions from Wyandotte County, Kansas.&nbsp;

TOPEKA, Kansas – A&nbsp; Ellsworth Correctional Facility resident who died Monday, October 19, 2020 had tested positive for COVID-19. This is the sixth resident death related to COVID-19, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.The resident tested positive on September 26 at which time he was moved to the Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) COVID-19 Management Unit (CMU).&nbsp; Three days later he was transported from LCF to the hospital.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The resident’s family has asked that his name not be released.&nbsp; He was a 60-year-old black male with underlying medical concerns that contributed to his condition.&nbsp;This resident was serving a life sentence based on four sex crime convictions from Wyandotte County, Kansas.&nbsp;

6th Kan. inmate died after testing positive for COVID-19

TOPEKA— One person was injured in a house fire on Monday in Topeka.

Just after 4:30p.m., crews responded&nbsp; to a fire at a home&nbsp;at 2953 SE Highland in Topeka, according to Fire Marshall Todd Harrison.

&nbsp;First arriving crews reported smoke and flames visible from the single story brick duplex.&nbsp;The fire was extinguished, keeping it contained to the room of fire origin. The remaining&nbsp;structure sustained varying degrees of smoke and water damage throughout.

EMS transported one adult victim for evaluation and treatment of non-life threatening smoke inhalation. Two juvenile occupants were able to escape unharmed.&nbsp;

Preliminary investigation indicates the cause of the fire as Accidental; more likely than not associated with juveniles playing with a lighter, according to Harrison.

The Estimated dollar loss is $40,000.00; of which $30,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $10,000.00 is associated with content loss.

Two occupants of the adjoining duplex have been temporarily displaced as a result of the fire. Working smoke detectors were present within the residence, according to Harrison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603196917266.png" alt="EMS transported one adult to a local hospital due to the fire-photo courtesy WIBW-TV" />
 <figcaption>EMS transported one adult to a local hospital due to the fire-photo courtesy WIBW-TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA— One person was injured in a house fire on Monday in Topeka.Just after 4:30p.m., crews responded&nbsp; to a fire at a home&nbsp;at 2953 SE Highland in Topeka, according to Fire Marshall Todd Harrison.&nbsp;First arriving crews reported smoke and flames visible from the single story brick duplex.&nbsp;The fire was extinguished, keeping it contained to the room of fire origin. The remaining&nbsp;structure sustained varying degrees of smoke and water damage throughout.EMS transported one adult victim for evaluation and treatment of non-life threatening smoke inhalation. Two juvenile occupants were able to escape unharmed.&nbsp;Preliminary investigation indicates the cause of the fire as Accidental; more likely than not associated with juveniles playing with a lighter, according to Harrison.The Estimated dollar loss is $40,000.00; of which $30,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $10,000.00 is associated with content loss.Two occupants of the adjoining duplex have been temporarily displaced as a result of the fire. Working smoke detectors were present within the residence, according to Harrison.

Children playing with a lighter blamed for Kan. house fire

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A coronavirus outbreak has killed 10 residents in a nursing home in a northwestern Kansas county that proportionally already had the nation’s largest increase in cases over two weeks.

The health department in Norton County reported Monday night that all 62 residents and an unspecified number of employees at the Andbe Home in Norton had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The agency also said one Andbe Home resident was hospitalized, while the remaining 51 were being treated at the home.

“Steps are being taken to prevent any further outbreak, including quarantining residents in their rooms and not allowing outside visitors into the facility,” the county health department said in a statement Monday evening.

The outbreak at the nursing home came after the state Department of Health and Environment last week reported more than 100 cases at the state’s prison in Norton over the two weeks ending Wednesday.

Kansas is seeing an average of more than 700 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases a day, its largest numbers since the pandemic reached the state in early March.

But northwestern Kansas has been hit hard by coronavirus in recent weeks, and Norton County had the largest number of new cases per 100,000 residents of any county in the U.S. for the two weeks ending Sunday, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://covid-hub.inside.ap.org/" target="_blank">data collected by Johns Hopkins University.</a>

The Kansas health department said that cases in Norton County rose from 46 two weeks ago to 340 as of Monday in Norton County. With about 5,400 residents, that was an increase of 5,484 cases per 100,000 residents, according to the state’s figures.

But the state released its report before Norton County officials confirmed that all Andbe Home residents had tested positive for coronavirus and before local officials reported 10 deaths at the home.

The 15 counties in the state’s northwest corner together had 987 new coronavirus cases during the past two weeks, an increase of nearly 49%, to bring the total to 3,024, according to state health department data. With 80,000 people living in the region, the increase was 1,226 cases for every 100,000 residents, more than three times the state’s figure.

Two other northwest Kansas counties, Sheridan and Gove, also were among the top 20 counties in the nation for the largest proportional increases in cases for the two weeks ending Sunday, based on Johns Hopkins data.

The state health department reported Monday that Kansas had 2,113 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases since Friday, an increase of 3% that brought the pandemic total to 72,968. The department also reported 13 additional COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the total to 872 before the nursing home deaths in Norton were reported.

Kansas had an average of 729 new cases a day for the seven days ending Monday after first exceeding 700 cases a day for the seven days ending Oct. 12. The record is 743 cases for the seven days ending Wednesday.

The state on Monday also reported its first COVID-19-related staff death at one of its four hospitals for the mentally ill or the developmentally disabled.

The Department for Aging and Disability Services, which oversees the hospitals, said an employee at the state’s mental hospital in Larned in southwestern Kansas died last week but said the staffer had not been on hospital grounds for several weeks. The department did not identify the staffer.

In Olathe in the Kansas City area, a middle school classroom assistant died from COVID-19-related complications,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kctv5.com/news/local_news/olathe-teacher-dies-after-battle-with-covid-19-shortly-before-students-headed-back-to-class/article_6b0528d0-1238-11eb-966c-ab3fce83f95f.html?block_id=991162" target="_blank">KCTV reported.</a>&nbsp;Mission Trail Middle School’s principal said in an email to parents that the staffer had been sick for several weeks and had not been in the building since Sept. 24.

Meanwhile, Gov. Laura Kelly and Wichita State University officials celebrated the opening of a new laboratory that can run 32,000 coronavirus testing specimens a week. Kansas has averaged about 29,000 tests a week over the past month, according to data from the state health department.

Kelly said the high-capacity lab will help the state identify coronavirus hot spots so that its residents can avoid them.

“We can help provide certainty that our schools and our businesses can stay open safely,” Kelly said in a statement.

By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A coronavirus outbreak has killed 10 residents in a nursing home in a northwestern Kansas county that proportionally already had the nation’s largest increase in cases over two weeks.The health department in Norton County reported Monday night that all 62 residents and an unspecified number of employees at the Andbe Home in Norton had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The agency also said one Andbe Home resident was hospitalized, while the remaining 51 were being treated at the home.“Steps are being taken to prevent any further outbreak, including quarantining residents in their rooms and not allowing outside visitors into the facility,” the county health department said in a statement Monday evening.The outbreak at the nursing home came after the state Department of Health and Environment last week reported more than 100 cases at the state’s prison in Norton over the two weeks ending Wednesday.Kansas is seeing an average of more than 700 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases a day, its largest numbers since the pandemic reached the state in early March.But northwestern Kansas has been hit hard by coronavirus in recent weeks, and Norton County had the largest number of new cases per 100,000 residents of any county in the U.S. for the two weeks ending Sunday, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://covid-hub.inside.ap.org/" target="_blank">data collected by Johns Hopkins University.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603128527249.png" alt="Monday Oct. 19,2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday Oct. 19,2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas health department said that cases in Norton County rose from 46 two weeks ago to 340 as of Monday in Norton County. With about 5,400 residents, that was an increase of 5,484 cases per 100,000 residents, according to the state’s figures.But the state released its report before Norton County officials confirmed that all Andbe Home residents had tested positive for coronavirus and before local officials reported 10 deaths at the home.The 15 counties in the state’s northwest corner together had 987 new coronavirus cases during the past two weeks, an increase of nearly 49%, to bring the total to 3,024, according to state health department data. With 80,000 people living in the region, the increase was 1,226 cases for every 100,000 residents, more than three times the state’s figure.Two other northwest Kansas counties, Sheridan and Gove, also were among the top 20 counties in the nation for the largest proportional increases in cases for the two weeks ending Sunday, based on Johns Hopkins data.The state health department reported Monday that Kansas had 2,113 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases since Friday, an increase of 3% that brought the pandemic total to 72,968. The department also reported 13 additional COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the total to 872 before the nursing home deaths in Norton were reported.Kansas had an average of 729 new cases a day for the seven days ending Monday after first exceeding 700 cases a day for the seven days ending Oct. 12. The record is 743 cases for the seven days ending Wednesday.The state on Monday also reported its first COVID-19-related staff death at one of its four hospitals for the mentally ill or the developmentally disabled.The Department for Aging and Disability Services, which oversees the hospitals, said an employee at the state’s mental hospital in Larned in southwestern Kansas died last week but said the staffer had not been on hospital grounds for several weeks. The department did not identify the staffer.In Olathe in the Kansas City area, a middle school classroom assistant died from COVID-19-related complications,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kctv5.com/news/local_news/olathe-teacher-dies-after-battle-with-covid-19-shortly-before-students-headed-back-to-class/article_6b0528d0-1238-11eb-966c-ab3fce83f95f.html?block_id=991162" target="_blank">KCTV reported.</a>&nbsp;Mission Trail Middle School’s principal said in an email to parents that the staffer had been sick for several weeks and had not been in the building since Sept. 24.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603127838980.png" alt="WSU unveiled their new molecular diagnostic lab Monday. This high-volume testing center is the latest in innovative solutions from Kansas colleges that will play a significant role in our continued fight to mitigate the spread of COVID-19." />
 <figcaption>WSU unveiled their new molecular diagnostic lab Monday. This high-volume testing center is the latest in innovative solutions from Kansas colleges that will play a significant role in our continued fight to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.</figcaption>
 </figure>Meanwhile, Gov. Laura Kelly and Wichita State University officials celebrated the opening of a new laboratory that can run 32,000 coronavirus testing specimens a week. Kansas has averaged about 29,000 tests a week over the past month, according to data from the state health department.Kelly said the high-capacity lab will help the state identify coronavirus hot spots so that its residents can avoid them.“We can help provide certainty that our schools and our businesses can stay open safely,” Kelly said in a statement.

10 residents dead amid virus outbreak at Kansas nursing home

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and asking the public for help to locate two suspects identified as 31-year-old Latrelle Sheneice Praylow and Todge Anderson.

Just after 11:30a.m. October 3, police responded to a call for service at a home in the 300 Block of SW Polk in Topeka for a check welfare, according to&nbsp;LT Jerry Monasmith.

On arrival, officers found 38-year-old Christopher McMillon with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;

Police asked that if you see either Parylow or Anderson, please do not attempt to apprehend them yourself. Call 911 immediately.&nbsp;

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim as&nbsp; Christopher McMillon, 38, of Topeka. 

Just after 11:30a.m. Saturday, police responded to a call for service at a home in the 300 Block of SW Polk for a check welfare, according to&nbsp;LT Jerry Monasmith.

On arrival, officers found McMillon with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Police released no additional details early Sunday.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting.

Just after 11:30a.m. Saturday, police responded to a call for service in the 300 Block of SW Polk for a check welfare, according to&nbsp;LT Jerry Monasmith.

On arrival, officers found a man with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officers and Detectives are continuing the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603125537277.png" alt="Anderson-photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Anderson-photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and asking the public for help to locate two suspects identified as 31-year-old Latrelle Sheneice Praylow and Todge Anderson.Just after 11:30a.m. October 3, police responded to a call for service at a home in the 300 Block of SW Polk in Topeka for a check welfare, according to&nbsp;LT Jerry Monasmith.On arrival, officers found 38-year-old Christopher McMillon with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603125505902.png" alt="Praylow has previous convictions for theft, forgery and criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections -photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Praylow has previous convictions for theft, forgery and criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections -photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Police asked that if you see either Parylow or Anderson, please do not attempt to apprehend them yourself. Call 911 immediately.&nbsp;---------SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim as&nbsp; Christopher McMillon, 38, of Topeka. Just after 11:30a.m. Saturday, police responded to a call for service at a home in the 300 Block of SW Polk for a check welfare, according to&nbsp;LT Jerry Monasmith.On arrival, officers found McMillon with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Police released no additional details early Sunday.-----------SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting.Just after 11:30a.m. Saturday, police responded to a call for service in the 300 Block of SW Polk for a check welfare, according to&nbsp;LT Jerry Monasmith.On arrival, officers found a man with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officers and Detectives are continuing the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Police: Search continues for suspects in Kan. man's murder

MCLOUGH, Kan. (AP) — A former northeast Kansas high school science teacher has been charged in a second child sex crime case. 

After the initial case was filed in May, Anthony Kuckelman was charged in a second case involving a different student with electronic solicitation of a minor, attempted unlawful sexual relations and promoting obscenity to minors. 

The student from the first case also has filed a civil case that was moved this week from state to federal court. The suit alleges that Kuckelman began sexually assaulting her when she was in his science class at McLouth High School.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588783855563.png" alt="Kuckelman photo Jefferson Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Kuckelman photo Jefferson Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>MCLOUGH, Kan. (AP) — A former northeast Kansas high school science teacher has been charged in a second child sex crime case. After the initial case was filed in May, Anthony Kuckelman was charged in a second case involving a different student with electronic solicitation of a minor, attempted unlawful sexual relations and promoting obscenity to minors. The student from the first case also has filed a civil case that was moved this week from state to federal court. The suit alleges that Kuckelman began sexually assaulting her when she was in his science class at McLouth High School.

Former Kan. teacher charged in second child sex crime case

&nbsp;SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stolen vehicle and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 3a.m. October 17, a sheriff’s deputy conducted a car stop on a maroon 2002 Ford Ranger at SE 29th Street and SE Bennett Drive, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

The deputy recognized the vehicle as stolen from recent agency criminal intelligence and was reported stolen from the Topeka Police Department.

The deputy took the driver, Delbert L. New III, 39, of Topeka,&nbsp; into custody for further questioning. He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges that included multiple traffic infractions.

New has precious convictions for failure to remain at the scene of an accident, domestic battery, driving while suspended and for drug convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603146274364.png" alt="New -photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>New -photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stolen vehicle and have a suspect in custody.Just after 3a.m. October 17, a sheriff’s deputy conducted a car stop on a maroon 2002 Ford Ranger at SE 29th Street and SE Bennett Drive, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.The deputy recognized the vehicle as stolen from recent agency criminal intelligence and was reported stolen from the Topeka Police Department.The deputy took the driver, Delbert L. New III, 39, of Topeka,&nbsp; into custody for further questioning. He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges that included multiple traffic infractions.New has precious convictions for failure to remain at the scene of an accident, domestic battery, driving while suspended and for drug convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Sheriff finds Kansas felon driving stolen pickup

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-10-18/a-topeka-area-school-district-was-named-after-a-kkk-leader-so-some-students-want-a-change">Kansas News Service</a>

A northeast Kansas school district was named after a leader of the 
Topeka Ku Klux Klan, student journalists at Seaman High School <a href="https://seamannews.com/23942/news/new-research-proves-seaman-high-founders-connection-with-kkk/" target="_blank">revealed </a><a href="https://seamannews.com/23942/news/new-research-proves-seaman-high-founders-connection-with-kkk/" target="_blank">on Friday</a>.

Fred
 Seaman tried and failed to become head of the state’s public schools in
 the mid-1920s, when the terror group made a concerted effort across the
 country to fill public offices with Klansmen or other white 
supremacists.

The revelation has some students calling for a change to
 the name of Seaman Unified School District 345 and its sole high school
 to make clear that the community today does not share Fred Seaman’s 
values.

“It’s going to be a really divisive issue to our 
community. It’s really going to shape it,” said Seaman High School 
sophomore Rene Cabrera, who identifies as Hispanic and had relatively 
few classmates and teachers of color growing up in the district.

The core of Topeka is more diverse, but to its north, enrollment at the nearly 4,000-student USD 345 is 82% white.

If the community stands by the Seaman name, Cabrera said, people of color could feel less welcome.

“For
 example, if I have kids, am I going to raise my kids here at Seaman?” 
he said, “Or am I basically going to leave to Lawrence or something 
where people of color are more welcomed?”

A spokesperson for USD 
345 said on Sunday that the superintendent and school board will plan “a
 process for community input and board discussion.”

Student journalists reported last week on Fred Seaman’s role in the KKK in their online newspaper, <a href="https://seamannews.com/23942/news/new-research-proves-seaman-high-founders-connection-with-kkk/" target="_blank">The Clipper</a>. The article was based on new research by teachers at the school, who scoured century-old newspapers for evidence.

The district’s namesake founded its high school 100 years ago and served as the principal.

Seniors
 Madeline Gearhart and Tristan Fangman, The Clipper’s co-editors, say 
rumors of his link to the KKK passed down year after year among students
 and teachers.

Articles from 1920s issues of The Kansas City Star and papers in Topeka and other cities confirm it.

History
 teacher Nathan McAlister and journalism teacher Amy Riley dug for more 
evidence after an archivist at the Kansas Historical Society passed one 
such piece to McAlister this summer.

“It’s easy for people to dismiss one piece of evidence,” Riley said. “As you gather more evidence, your story becomes stronger.”

They found several more articles last week.

McAlister
 and Riley attended the district as students in the 1980s and 1990s and 
say they heard the rumors of Fred Seaman’s Klan history at that time, 
too.

What they found makes clear that he wasn’t just a member, but
 enjoyed influence in the Klan, and that the wider community knew of 
that standing.

The 
1920s saw a resurgence of the KKK’s influence, particularly in states 
such as Kansas that hadn’t been part of the Confederacy. Millions of 
whites joined and tens of thousands of robed Klansmen <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/12/second-klan/509468/" target="_blank">marched</a> in Washington, D.C.

Nearly
 1,200 people joined the Klan’s 1923 march in Topeka, according to a 
Topeka Daily Capital article from July 22 headlined: “The KKK Owned 
Topeka Last Night.”

The <a href="https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/ku-klux-klan-in-kansas/15612" target="_blank">Kansas Historical Society</a>,
 a state agency, says the state had about 30 KKK chapters and 60,000 
Klansmen by that year. As its influence grew, some politicians ran on 
Anti-Klan platforms, vowing to curb the group’s spread. Gov. Henry Allen
 <a href="https://www.kansasmemory.org/item/214407" target="_blank">opposed the Klan</a> and the state Legislature banned it in the mid-1920s.

But
 nationally and in Kansas, the growing Klan used its influence to fill 
public offices with Klan members or candidates they felt supported their
 anti-Black, anti-Catholic, anti-Jewish, anti-immigrant agenda.

“The Klan made war via elections,” New York University historian Linda Gordon wrote in her 2017 book, The Second Coming of the Klan. “No one has been able to count all the Klan candidates elected to state and local offices.”

Seaman sought to carry out that mission in Topeka, too.

A
 1926 Kansas City Star article identifies him as a “well-known” Klansman
 and head of the Topeka KKK. That article came amid his bid for the 
Republican nomination in the race for state superintendent of schools.

A
 year earlier, the Topeka Journal says he launched the city’s first-ever
 “Klan ticket,” endorsing 10 people for public office, including five 
candidates for school board positions.

The Klan sought to sway the races by handing paper slips listing the endorsements to voters at the polls on Election Day.

The
 surprise endorsements and mass distribution of fliers mobilized 
last-minute efforts by opponents to undermine it by urging Black, 
Catholic and Jewish voters to turn out at the polls.

“With close 
to 2,000 votes cast,” the paper wrote, “the appearance is that the 
election vote will be one of the biggest in the history of city 
elections.”

The same day, the KKK’s Hutchinson branch used the 
same last-day tactic in its quest to oust school board members who 
refused to purge the city’s classrooms of teachers who were Catholic.

Seaman
 High School had students of color even in its early years, which Riley 
and Fangman say made some suspect the rumors about Seaman couldn’t be 
true or he would have blocked enrollment by non-whites.

“I didn’t 
find out until recently that high schools had to be integrated,” Fangman
 said. Now, she said, “I realize that wasn’t his choice.”

In the 
1920s, most Kansas schools, including Seaman High, were required by 
state law to serve Black students. That fact is commonly misunderstood 
today because elementary schools within Topeka city limits remained 
segregated until the 1950s Brown v. Board of Education lawsuit.

Cabrera
 and other students say they plan to circulate a petition calling for a 
name change and address the school board at its next meeting.

Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603121149757.png" alt="On April 7, 1925, the Topeka Journal wrote that local KKK leader Fred Seaman sought to sway a mayoral election with his endorsement. Klan members handed out fliers announcing Seaman’s preferred candidate to voters arriving at the polls. The candidate won." />
 <figcaption>On April 7, 1925, the Topeka Journal wrote that local KKK leader Fred Seaman sought to sway a mayoral election with his endorsement. Klan members handed out fliers announcing Seaman’s preferred candidate to voters arriving at the polls. The candidate won.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-10-18/a-topeka-area-school-district-was-named-after-a-kkk-leader-so-some-students-want-a-change">Kansas News Service</a>A northeast Kansas school district was named after a leader of the 
Topeka Ku Klux Klan, student journalists at Seaman High School <a href="https://seamannews.com/23942/news/new-research-proves-seaman-high-founders-connection-with-kkk/" target="_blank">revealed </a><a href="https://seamannews.com/23942/news/new-research-proves-seaman-high-founders-connection-with-kkk/" target="_blank">on Friday</a>.Fred
 Seaman tried and failed to become head of the state’s public schools in
 the mid-1920s, when the terror group made a concerted effort across the
 country to fill public offices with Klansmen or other white 
supremacists.The revelation has some students calling for a change to
 the name of Seaman Unified School District 345 and its sole high school
 to make clear that the community today does not share Fred Seaman’s 
values.“It’s going to be a really divisive issue to our 
community. It’s really going to shape it,” said Seaman High School 
sophomore Rene Cabrera, who identifies as Hispanic and had relatively 
few classmates and teachers of color growing up in the district.The core of Topeka is more diverse, but to its north, enrollment at the nearly 4,000-student USD 345 is 82% white.If the community stands by the Seaman name, Cabrera said, people of color could feel less welcome.“For
 example, if I have kids, am I going to raise my kids here at Seaman?” 
he said, “Or am I basically going to leave to Lawrence or something 
where people of color are more welcomed?”A spokesperson for USD 
345 said on Sunday that the superintendent and school board will plan “a
 process for community input and board discussion.”Student journalists reported last week on Fred Seaman’s role in the KKK in their online newspaper, <a href="https://seamannews.com/23942/news/new-research-proves-seaman-high-founders-connection-with-kkk/" target="_blank">The Clipper</a>. The article was based on new research by teachers at the school, who scoured century-old newspapers for evidence.The district’s namesake founded its high school 100 years ago and served as the principal.Seniors
 Madeline Gearhart and Tristan Fangman, The Clipper’s co-editors, say 
rumors of his link to the KKK passed down year after year among students
 and teachers.Articles from 1920s issues of The Kansas City Star and papers in Topeka and other cities confirm it.History
 teacher Nathan McAlister and journalism teacher Amy Riley dug for more 
evidence after an archivist at the Kansas Historical Society passed one 
such piece to McAlister this summer.“It’s easy for people to dismiss one piece of evidence,” Riley said. “As you gather more evidence, your story becomes stronger.”They found several more articles last week.McAlister
 and Riley attended the district as students in the 1980s and 1990s and 
say they heard the rumors of Fred Seaman’s Klan history at that time, 
too.What they found makes clear that he wasn’t just a member, but
 enjoyed influence in the Klan, and that the wider community knew of 
that standing.<h2>Klan surge in Topeka and Kansas</h2>The 
1920s saw a resurgence of the KKK’s influence, particularly in states 
such as Kansas that hadn’t been part of the Confederacy. Millions of 
whites joined and tens of thousands of robed Klansmen <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/12/second-klan/509468/" target="_blank">marched</a> in Washington, D.C.Nearly
 1,200 people joined the Klan’s 1923 march in Topeka, according to a 
Topeka Daily Capital article from July 22 headlined: “The KKK Owned 
Topeka Last Night.”The <a href="https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/ku-klux-klan-in-kansas/15612" target="_blank">Kansas Historical Society</a>,
 a state agency, says the state had about 30 KKK chapters and 60,000 
Klansmen by that year. As its influence grew, some politicians ran on 
Anti-Klan platforms, vowing to curb the group’s spread. Gov. Henry Allen
 <a href="https://www.kansasmemory.org/item/214407" target="_blank">opposed the Klan</a> and the state Legislature banned it in the mid-1920s.But
 nationally and in Kansas, the growing Klan used its influence to fill 
public offices with Klan members or candidates they felt supported their
 anti-Black, anti-Catholic, anti-Jewish, anti-immigrant agenda.“The Klan made war via elections,” New York University historian Linda Gordon wrote in her 2017 book, The Second Coming of the Klan. “No one has been able to count all the Klan candidates elected to state and local offices.”Seaman sought to carry out that mission in Topeka, too.A
 1926 Kansas City Star article identifies him as a “well-known” Klansman
 and head of the Topeka KKK. That article came amid his bid for the 
Republican nomination in the race for state superintendent of schools.A
 year earlier, the Topeka Journal says he launched the city’s first-ever
 “Klan ticket,” endorsing 10 people for public office, including five 
candidates for school board positions.The Klan sought to sway the races by handing paper slips listing the endorsements to voters at the polls on Election Day.The
 surprise endorsements and mass distribution of fliers mobilized 
last-minute efforts by opponents to undermine it by urging Black, 
Catholic and Jewish voters to turn out at the polls.“With close 
to 2,000 votes cast,” the paper wrote, “the appearance is that the 
election vote will be one of the biggest in the history of city 
elections.”The same day, the KKK’s Hutchinson branch used the 
same last-day tactic in its quest to oust school board members who 
refused to purge the city’s classrooms of teachers who were Catholic.Seaman
 High School had students of color even in its early years, which Riley 
and Fangman say made some suspect the rumors about Seaman couldn’t be 
true or he would have blocked enrollment by non-whites.“I didn’t 
find out until recently that high schools had to be integrated,” Fangman
 said. Now, she said, “I realize that wasn’t his choice.”In the 
1920s, most Kansas schools, including Seaman High, were required by 
state law to serve Black students. That fact is commonly misunderstood 
today because elementary schools within Topeka city limits remained 
segregated until the 1950s Brown v. Board of Education lawsuit.Cabrera
 and other students say they plan to circulate a petition calling for a 
name change and address the school board at its next meeting.Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a> or email her at celia@kcur.org.

KKK connection leads to call to change name of Topeka school 

CHEROKEE COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 2p.m. Monday in&nbsp; Cherokee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1989 GMC pickup driven by Bruce W. Rardin, 61, Baxter Springs, was&nbsp;westbound on U.S. 166 one mile east of Baxter Springs. The pickup left the roadway to the left and struck a tree.

Rardin was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Frontier Forensics. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 2p.m. Monday in&nbsp; Cherokee County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1989 GMC pickup driven by Bruce W. Rardin, 61, Baxter Springs, was&nbsp;westbound on U.S. 166 one mile east of Baxter Springs. The pickup left the roadway to the left and struck a tree.Rardin was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Frontier Forensics. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after pickup strikes a tree

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas felon arrested in connection with two cases of sex assault made his first court appearance in the case on Friday.

 Patrick Newborn, 33, Wichita, was charged&nbsp;criminal threat, 2 counts of domestic battery, criminal trespass, 4 counts of aggravated burglary, 6 counts of aggravated robbery, 6 counts of rape, 7 counts of criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, 2 counts of aggravated intimidation of a witness, 3 counts of aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, 2 counts of aggravated battery, attempted rape, aggravated criminal sodomy, attempted aggravated robbery, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, interference with a law enforcement officer, battery (misdemeanor), according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

On August 29, Wichita police began a sexual assault and robbery investigation following an incident reported in the 6100 Block of East Boston, according to Captain Jason Stephens.

Two victims reported an attempted robbery at gunpoint. The female victims reported the suspect, later identified as 33-year-old Patrick Newborn of Wichita, had committed a sexual assault against her one to two weeks earlier, according to Stephens.

On Sept. 13, police investigated another sexual assault involving a different victim at a residence in the 700 Block of South Pershing in Wichita. Investigators determined the cases were likely connected and later confirmed that.

Special Weapons and Tactics team on the scene of the 7-hour standoff and arrest late Tuesday -photo courtesy KWCH

On Sept. 15, police learned that Newborn was wanted on a felony warrant for being a parole absconder, according to Stephens. Officers located him Tuesday in 9100 Block of East Harry in Wichita. Upon confronting him, Newborn pulled a handgun and threatened the officers.

The officers retreated from the residence and called in the SWAT team. The SWAT team established a perimeter around the location and spent 7 hours communicating with Newborn.

Just after 1a.m. Sept. 16, he gave himself up and was taken into custody without further incident, according to Stephens.

He has a previous conviction for Aggravated Indecent Liberties, Sex Intercourse with a victim under the age of 16, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Newborn is being held on a bond of $250,000.&nbsp; Attorneys in the case are scheduled to discuss it with Judge Jeff Syrios on October 1, according to the district attorney's office.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two cases of sexual assault and after a 7-hour standoff have a suspect in custody.

On Tuesday police learned that Newborn was wanted on a felony warrant for being a parole absconder, according to Stephens. Officers located him Tuesday in 9100 Block of East Harry in Wichita. Upon confronting him, Newborn pulled a handgun and threatened the officers.

Just after 1a.m. Wednesday, he gave himself up and was taken into custody without further incident, according to Stephens.

Newborn is being held on requested charges that include rape, aggravated criminal sodomy, criminal threat, aggravated residential robbery,&nbsp; aggravated residential burglary, aggravated kidnapping, criminal possession of a firearm and a state parole violation,&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18820474">according to online booking records.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600269243259.png" alt="Newborn -photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Newborn -photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas felon arrested in connection with two cases of sex assault made his first court appearance in the case on Friday. Patrick Newborn, 33, Wichita, was charged&nbsp;criminal threat, 2 counts of domestic battery, criminal trespass, 4 counts of aggravated burglary, 6 counts of aggravated robbery, 6 counts of rape, 7 counts of criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, 2 counts of aggravated intimidation of a witness, 3 counts of aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, 2 counts of aggravated battery, attempted rape, aggravated criminal sodomy, attempted aggravated robbery, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, interference with a law enforcement officer, battery (misdemeanor), according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.He remains jails on a $250,000 bond.On August 29, Wichita police began a sexual assault and robbery investigation following an incident reported in the 6100 Block of East Boston, according to Captain Jason Stephens.Two victims reported an attempted robbery at gunpoint. The female victims reported the suspect, later identified as 33-year-old Patrick Newborn of Wichita, had committed a sexual assault against her one to two weeks earlier, according to Stephens.On Sept. 13, police investigated another sexual assault involving a different victim at a residence in the 700 Block of South Pershing in Wichita. Investigators determined the cases were likely connected and later confirmed that.Special Weapons and Tactics team on the scene of the 7-hour standoff and arrest late Tuesday -photo courtesy KWCHOn Sept. 15, police learned that Newborn was wanted on a felony warrant for being a parole absconder, according to Stephens. Officers located him Tuesday in 9100 Block of East Harry in Wichita. Upon confronting him, Newborn pulled a handgun and threatened the officers.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600271410562.png" alt="Special Weapons and Tactics team on the scene of the 7-hour standoff and arrest late Tuesday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Special Weapons and Tactics team on the scene of the 7-hour standoff and arrest late Tuesday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>The officers retreated from the residence and called in the SWAT team. The SWAT team established a perimeter around the location and spent 7 hours communicating with Newborn.Just after 1a.m. Sept. 16, he gave himself up and was taken into custody without further incident, according to Stephens.He has a previous conviction for Aggravated Indecent Liberties, Sex Intercourse with a victim under the age of 16, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.Newborn is being held on a bond of $250,000.&nbsp; Attorneys in the case are scheduled to discuss it with Judge Jeff Syrios on October 1, according to the district attorney's office.----SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two cases of sexual assault and after a 7-hour standoff have a suspect in custody.On August 29, Wichita police began a sexual assault and robbery investigation following an incident reported in the 6100 Block of East Boston, according to Captain Jason Stephens.Two victims reported an attempted robbery at gunpoint. The female victims reported the suspect, later identified as 33-year-old Patrick Newborn of Wichita, had committed a sexual assault against her one to two weeks earlier, according to Stephens.On Sept. 13, police investigated another sexual assault involving a different victim at a residence in the 700 Block of South Pershing in Wichita. Investigators determined the cases were likely connected and later confirmed that.On Tuesday police learned that Newborn was wanted on a felony warrant for being a parole absconder, according to Stephens. Officers located him Tuesday in 9100 Block of East Harry in Wichita. Upon confronting him, Newborn pulled a handgun and threatened the officers.The officers retreated from the residence and called in the SWAT team. The SWAT team established a perimeter around the location and spent 7 hours communicating with Newborn.Just after 1a.m. Wednesday, he gave himself up and was taken into custody without further incident, according to Stephens.Newborn is being held on requested charges that include rape, aggravated criminal sodomy, criminal threat, aggravated residential robbery,&nbsp; aggravated residential burglary, aggravated kidnapping, criminal possession of a firearm and a state parole violation,&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=18820474">according to online booking records.</a>He has a previous conviction for Aggravated Indecent Liberties, Sex Intercourse with a victim under the age of 16, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.--------

Kansas sex offender faces additional charges in rape case

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard announced Monday that one staff member at Larned State Hospital (LSH) died on Wednesday, October 15, due to complications from COVID-19. This is the first staff member death at any of the four state hospitals related to the virus.

“I was saddened to learn of this news, and I extend my condolences to both the family and the rest of the hospital staff as they cope with this tragic loss,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“Our civil servants have worked selflessly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the safety of those under their care. My administration will continue to support them by leveraging the resources and equipment needed to keep workers safe and limit the spread of the virus in high-risk areas.”

The staff member had more than 3 years of dedicated service to LSH and the State of Kansas. The staff member has not been on campus for several weeks and did not have contact with patients or residents. To protect their identity, no further information will be released.

“This is a sad time for our agency and for the dedicated staff at Larned State Hospital, a day we all hoped would never come,”&nbsp;Secretary Howard said.&nbsp;“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family we know is struggling with losing their loved one and our other hospital staffers mourning a co-worker.”

The State of Kansas Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has guidance consultants available to all staff members who may need additional support in dealing with this loss. EAP offers confidential help and support 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, at no cost to employees and their immediate family.

The hospital began screening all staff on March 27, 2020, monitoring temperatures upon entry into the facility and has been taking patient and resident temperatures twice a day since then.

LSH&nbsp;in Pawnee County is a psychiatric hospital operated by KDADS. It is the largest psychiatric facility in the state of Kansas with more than 700 employees. The hospital has three distinct programs, the Sexual Predator Treatment Program (SPTP), the State Security Program (SSP), and the PSP. The PSP is accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC) and certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587581286279.png" alt="Larned State Hospital-photo KDADS" />
 <figcaption>Larned State Hospital-photo KDADS</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;– Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard announced Monday that one staff member at Larned State Hospital (LSH) died on Wednesday, October 15, due to complications from COVID-19. This is the first staff member death at any of the four state hospitals related to the virus.“I was saddened to learn of this news, and I extend my condolences to both the family and the rest of the hospital staff as they cope with this tragic loss,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“Our civil servants have worked selflessly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the safety of those under their care. My administration will continue to support them by leveraging the resources and equipment needed to keep workers safe and limit the spread of the virus in high-risk areas.”The staff member had more than 3 years of dedicated service to LSH and the State of Kansas. The staff member has not been on campus for several weeks and did not have contact with patients or residents. To protect their identity, no further information will be released.“This is a sad time for our agency and for the dedicated staff at Larned State Hospital, a day we all hoped would never come,”&nbsp;Secretary Howard said.&nbsp;“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family we know is struggling with losing their loved one and our other hospital staffers mourning a co-worker.”The State of Kansas Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has guidance consultants available to all staff members who may need additional support in dealing with this loss. EAP offers confidential help and support 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, at no cost to employees and their immediate family.The hospital began screening all staff on March 27, 2020, monitoring temperatures upon entry into the facility and has been taking patient and resident temperatures twice a day since then.LSH&nbsp;in Pawnee County is a psychiatric hospital operated by KDADS. It is the largest psychiatric facility in the state of Kansas with more than 700 employees. The hospital has three distinct programs, the Sexual Predator Treatment Program (SPTP), the State Security Program (SSP), and the PSP. The PSP is accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC) and certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Staff member at Larned State Hospital dies from COVID-19

WICHITA —Wichita State University celebrated the opening of its Molecular Diagnostics Lab (MDL) Monday morning at the John Bardo Center on WSU’s Innovation Campus.

At full capacity, the MDL can process as many as 4,500 COVID-19 tests per day. It is the only high-volume testing center in Wichita and the region, according to a media release from WSU.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp0D3Foxzkg&amp;feature=youtu.be">Click here</a>&nbsp;to watch a replay of the event

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly attended the event, gave brief remarks and answered questions.

Medical facilities and doctors’ offices across the state will collect saliva, oropharyngeal, and nasopharyngeal swabs from patients, send them to the lab, and the MDL will have test results within 24 hours. To be tested, patients should talk to their health care provider or dial 211. Health. care providers who would like to work with MDL should call 978-8600 or email mdl@wichita.edu.

“Wichita State is committed to helping our community and our state persevere and recover from this pandemic,” said Dr. Rick Muma, interim president and provost of the university. “One of the best defenses we have against the spread of the virus is vigorous testing, which will allow for rapid and precise quarantining and treatment of those who are infected.”&nbsp;

The MDL received support from community leaders when the university&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wichita.edu/about/wsunews/news/2020/08-aug/covid_testing_lab_wichita_state_9.php">announced its creation earlier this year</a>.&nbsp;

“Access to low-cost, quick-response COVID-19 tests will help to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community and minimize the risk of closing schools,” said Dr. Alicia Thompson, superintendent of Wichita Public Schools. “The addition of WSU’s high-volume testing is a mitigating measure that will help to ensure that students and school staff have the safest-possible learning and work environments that our community can provide.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603127838980.png" alt="Governor Kelly participated in Monday's ribbon cutting-image courtesy Wichita State University" />
 <figcaption>Governor Kelly participated in Monday's ribbon cutting-image courtesy Wichita State University</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA —Wichita State University celebrated the opening of its Molecular Diagnostics Lab (MDL) Monday morning at the John Bardo Center on WSU’s Innovation Campus.At full capacity, the MDL can process as many as 4,500 COVID-19 tests per day. It is the only high-volume testing center in Wichita and the region, according to a media release from WSU.<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp0D3Foxzkg&amp;feature=youtu.be">Click here</a>&nbsp;to watch a replay of the eventKansas Gov. Laura Kelly attended the event, gave brief remarks and answered questions.How the lab worksMedical facilities and doctors’ offices across the state will collect saliva, oropharyngeal, and nasopharyngeal swabs from patients, send them to the lab, and the MDL will have test results within 24 hours. To be tested, patients should talk to their health care provider or dial 211. Health. care providers who would like to work with MDL should call 978-8600 or email mdl@wichita.edu.“Wichita State is committed to helping our community and our state persevere and recover from this pandemic,” said Dr. Rick Muma, interim president and provost of the university. “One of the best defenses we have against the spread of the virus is vigorous testing, which will allow for rapid and precise quarantining and treatment of those who are infected.”&nbsp;The MDL received support from community leaders when the university&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wichita.edu/about/wsunews/news/2020/08-aug/covid_testing_lab_wichita_state_9.php">announced its creation earlier this year</a>.&nbsp;“Access to low-cost, quick-response COVID-19 tests will help to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community and minimize the risk of closing schools,” said Dr. Alicia Thompson, superintendent of Wichita Public Schools. “The addition of WSU’s high-volume testing is a mitigating measure that will help to ensure that students and school staff have the safest-possible learning and work environments that our community can provide.”&nbsp;

🎥 Wichita State lab will process 4,500 COVID-19 tests a day 

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 2113 to a total of 72,968 the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 872, an increase of 13.

<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 2113 to a total of 72,968 the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 872, an increase of 13.<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/2020/10/1603128527249.png" alt="Monday October 19, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday October 19, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/10/18/record-number-of-kansans-eager-to-vote-early-in-unusual-election/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Teresa Briggs’ facemask invites people to vote.

Lately, it’s been a conversation starter.

The co-president of the 
League of Women Voters of Kansas recently wore her voting-themed 
facemask to a retail store in Emporia, where she was approached by 
another woman.

“She said, ‘Oh, yeah, 
we’re gonna vote.’ And I said, ‘Do it early.’ And she said, ‘Oh, no, I’m
 gonna go on the day you’re supposed to,’ ” Briggs said.

The 2020 general election is unlike any other — distinguished by the challenges of a deadly pandemic, <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/10/06/voter-fraud-myth-persists-despite-constant-failure-to-prove-claims/">disinformation about fraud</a>, a polarizing president, <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/08/18/postmaster-general-suspends-overhaul-until-after-election/">changes to U.S. Postal Service operations</a>, and a record number of early voters.

County election offices 
across Kansas begin early in-person voting this week, if they haven’t 
already, after sending nearly a half-million mail ballots last week to 
registered voters who requested them.

Election officials and 
political parties are encouraging voters to cast their ballots sooner 
than later this year to account for concerns about slow mail delivery or
 long lines induced by social distancing on Election Day.

“I think we’ve just been 
so accustomed to our routine of voting in the past, and it’s probably 
been very relaxing, plenty of poll workers and everything to make things
 run so much more efficiently and smoothly,” Briggs said. “That may be 
just a bit slower this time and not quite as we expected, but I know the
 county clerks that I’ve talked to are just working hard to make sure 
everything runs as it should.”

Harvey County Clerk Rick 
Piepho said it is difficult to know whether to expect more in-person 
early voting this year because his office has received so many requests 
for ballots by mail.

In 2016, Piepho said, his 
office mailed about 2,000 ballots, and 3,600 people voted early. This 
year, the office already has sent out 7,300 ballots.

“I don’t know if that’s 
going to change our early voters or change our poll site voters,” he 
said. “Out of the people who vote that now have applied for advanced by 
mail, how many of those would have voted early, and how many would have 
voted at the polling place?”

As of Friday, election 
offices statewide had mailed 472,281 advance ballots. The deadline to to
 request a ballot by mail is Oct. 27. They must be postmarked by 
Election Day, Nov. 3, and received by Nov. 6, to count.

The requests for mail 
ballots dwarfs the volume of past election cycles. In 2018, just 142,777
 had requested a mail ballot at this point in time. In 2016, the 
requests totaled 148,365.

Counties may open 
locations for early in-person voting up to three weeks before Election 
Day, but most will begin doing so on Monday or Tuesday. Voters should 
check with local election offices for details on when and where they can
 vote.

Democratic and Republican 
parties in Kansas have sent applications for mail ballots to registered 
voters as part of their strategy for ensuring turnout in the general 
election.

Party officials wouldn’t elaborate on their strategy, but Democrats have sent applications to at least some independent voters.

So far, Democrats 
outnumber Republicans in mail ballot requests despite the advantage 
Republicans have in registered voters. Democrats have requested 220,000 
ballots, Republicans 178,000 and independents 73,000.

“Because this is such an 
important election that is also happening in the middle of a pandemic, 
we are ensuring Kansans know about all of their voting options so they 
may vote safely and in the manner that works best for their schedule,” 
said Vicki Hiatt, chairwoman of the Kansas Democratic Party.

Rather than emphasize voting by mail, Republicans have encouraged voters to show up at election offices before Nov. 3.

“Kansas has robust early 
in-person voting, and it is a great way to ensure your vote is cast 
safely and securely and definitely counted,” said C.J. Grover, spokesman
 for the Kansas Republican Party. “We’re encouraging all Kansas 
Republicans to vote early in person, and we’re providing all the 
necessary information to help get as many people to the polls between 
now and Nov. 3.”

Voters who asked for a 
mail ballot can take their ballots to election offices, polling 
locations or a secure drop box if they don’t want to rely on the postal 
service.

The Kansas Secretary of 
State’s office reserved federal CARES Act funding to purchase two drop 
boxes for each of the state’s 105 counties. SOS spokeswoman Katie Koupal
 said 12 counties declined the offer, and 12 counties requested just one
 drop box. Wabaunsee County received three from the state, and Johnson 
County received seven.

The SOS office purchased 
the drop boxes from American Security Cabinets, a Minnesota-based 
company, and paid $2,029 per drop box, including shipping.

“For the primary 
election,” Koupal said, “one takeaway was that voters returned advance 
by-mail ballots through means other than the USPS more than before.”

The SOS office provided best practice guidelines to counties for installation of the drop boxes.

President Donald Trump’s 
installment of GOP megadonor Louis DeJoy as postmaster general raised 
questions about potential disruptions in postal service leading up to 
the election.

DeJoy ushered sweeping 
changes to overtime and delivery polices after taking the job in June 
and planned to remove hundreds of mail-sorting machines at facilities 
nationwide. He suspended those plans while under scrutiny in August.

Kansas Republican U.S. 
Sen. Jerry Moran said he met personally with the postmaster general to 
“make the case that we want everybody to vote that is legally entitled 
to vote.”

“We need to make sure the Postal Service is prepared for those who vote by mail,” Moran said.

Trump also ignited skepticism about the integrity of the election by repeating false claims about voter fraud.

Piepho, the Harvey County 
clerk, advised voters to tune out any rumors they hear about destroying 
ballots and “all the stuff” that happens in other states. Kansas 
officials, he said, have things under control.

“I had a guy ask me 
yesterday, ‘I hear at the coffee shop that people say advance ballots 
are only counted if they’re needed,’ ” Piepho said. “No, that’s not 
true. What do you mean by needed? I assured him we count every ballot in
 our possession if we possibly can count it, regardless of how tight or 
what the political climate is, if everybody is interested or nobody is 
interested. The processes are the same. We count them all.”

Sherman Smith has written award-winning news stories about the instability of the Kansas foster care system, misconduct by government officials, sexual abuse, technology, education, and the Legislature.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603120989971.jpeg" alt="Teresa Briggs, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Kansas, is encouraging voters to cast their ballots early — by mail, in person, or on the morning on Election Day — to avoid anxiety about postal service delivery or long lines. (Submitted to Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Teresa Briggs, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Kansas, is encouraging voters to cast their ballots early — by mail, in person, or on the morning on Election Day — to avoid anxiety about postal service delivery or long lines. (Submitted to Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/10/18/record-number-of-kansans-eager-to-vote-early-in-unusual-election/">Kansas Reflector</a>Teresa Briggs’ facemask invites people to vote.Lately, it’s been a conversation starter.The co-president of the 
League of Women Voters of Kansas recently wore her voting-themed 
facemask to a retail store in Emporia, where she was approached by 
another woman.“She said, ‘Oh, yeah, 
we’re gonna vote.’ And I said, ‘Do it early.’ And she said, ‘Oh, no, I’m
 gonna go on the day you’re supposed to,’ ” Briggs said.The 2020 general election is unlike any other — distinguished by the challenges of a deadly pandemic, <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/10/06/voter-fraud-myth-persists-despite-constant-failure-to-prove-claims/">disinformation about fraud</a>, a polarizing president, <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/08/18/postmaster-general-suspends-overhaul-until-after-election/">changes to U.S. Postal Service operations</a>, and a record number of early voters.County election offices 
across Kansas begin early in-person voting this week, if they haven’t 
already, after sending nearly a half-million mail ballots last week to 
registered voters who requested them.Election officials and 
political parties are encouraging voters to cast their ballots sooner 
than later this year to account for concerns about slow mail delivery or
 long lines induced by social distancing on Election Day.“I think we’ve just been 
so accustomed to our routine of voting in the past, and it’s probably 
been very relaxing, plenty of poll workers and everything to make things
 run so much more efficiently and smoothly,” Briggs said. “That may be 
just a bit slower this time and not quite as we expected, but I know the
 county clerks that I’ve talked to are just working hard to make sure 
everything runs as it should.”<h2>Mail ballot requests</h2>Harvey County Clerk Rick 
Piepho said it is difficult to know whether to expect more in-person 
early voting this year because his office has received so many requests 
for ballots by mail.In 2016, Piepho said, his 
office mailed about 2,000 ballots, and 3,600 people voted early. This 
year, the office already has sent out 7,300 ballots.“I don’t know if that’s 
going to change our early voters or change our poll site voters,” he 
said. “Out of the people who vote that now have applied for advanced by 
mail, how many of those would have voted early, and how many would have 
voted at the polling place?”As of Friday, election 
offices statewide had mailed 472,281 advance ballots. The deadline to to
 request a ballot by mail is Oct. 27. They must be postmarked by 
Election Day, Nov. 3, and received by Nov. 6, to count.The requests for mail 
ballots dwarfs the volume of past election cycles. In 2018, just 142,777
 had requested a mail ballot at this point in time. In 2016, the 
requests totaled 148,365.Counties may open 
locations for early in-person voting up to three weeks before Election 
Day, but most will begin doing so on Monday or Tuesday. Voters should 
check with local election offices for details on when and where they can
 vote.<h2>Political divide</h2>Democratic and Republican 
parties in Kansas have sent applications for mail ballots to registered 
voters as part of their strategy for ensuring turnout in the general 
election.Party officials wouldn’t elaborate on their strategy, but Democrats have sent applications to at least some independent voters.So far, Democrats 
outnumber Republicans in mail ballot requests despite the advantage 
Republicans have in registered voters. Democrats have requested 220,000 
ballots, Republicans 178,000 and independents 73,000.“Because this is such an 
important election that is also happening in the middle of a pandemic, 
we are ensuring Kansans know about all of their voting options so they 
may vote safely and in the manner that works best for their schedule,” 
said Vicki Hiatt, chairwoman of the Kansas Democratic Party.Rather than emphasize voting by mail, Republicans have encouraged voters to show up at election offices before Nov. 3.“Kansas has robust early 
in-person voting, and it is a great way to ensure your vote is cast 
safely and securely and definitely counted,” said C.J. Grover, spokesman
 for the Kansas Republican Party. “We’re encouraging all Kansas 
Republicans to vote early in person, and we’re providing all the 
necessary information to help get as many people to the polls between 
now and Nov. 3.”<h2>Drop box aid</h2>Voters who asked for a 
mail ballot can take their ballots to election offices, polling 
locations or a secure drop box if they don’t want to rely on the postal 
service.The Kansas Secretary of 
State’s office reserved federal CARES Act funding to purchase two drop 
boxes for each of the state’s 105 counties. SOS spokeswoman Katie Koupal
 said 12 counties declined the offer, and 12 counties requested just one
 drop box. Wabaunsee County received three from the state, and Johnson 
County received seven.The SOS office purchased 
the drop boxes from American Security Cabinets, a Minnesota-based 
company, and paid $2,029 per drop box, including shipping.“For the primary 
election,” Koupal said, “one takeaway was that voters returned advance 
by-mail ballots through means other than the USPS more than before.”The SOS office provided best practice guidelines to counties for installation of the drop boxes.<h2>Every vote counts</h2>President Donald Trump’s 
installment of GOP megadonor Louis DeJoy as postmaster general raised 
questions about potential disruptions in postal service leading up to 
the election.DeJoy ushered sweeping 
changes to overtime and delivery polices after taking the job in June 
and planned to remove hundreds of mail-sorting machines at facilities 
nationwide. He suspended those plans while under scrutiny in August.Kansas Republican U.S. 
Sen. Jerry Moran said he met personally with the postmaster general to 
“make the case that we want everybody to vote that is legally entitled 
to vote.”“We need to make sure the Postal Service is prepared for those who vote by mail,” Moran said.Trump also ignited skepticism about the integrity of the election by repeating false claims about voter fraud.Piepho, the Harvey County 
clerk, advised voters to tune out any rumors they hear about destroying 
ballots and “all the stuff” that happens in other states. Kansas 
officials, he said, have things under control.“I had a guy ask me 
yesterday, ‘I hear at the coffee shop that people say advance ballots 
are only counted if they’re needed,’ ” Piepho said. “No, that’s not 
true. What do you mean by needed? I assured him we count every ballot in
 our possession if we possibly can count it, regardless of how tight or 
what the political climate is, if everybody is interested or nobody is 
interested. The processes are the same. We count them all.”Sherman Smith has written award-winning news stories about the instability of the Kansas foster care system, misconduct by government officials, sexual abuse, technology, education, and the Legislature.&nbsp;

Record number of Kansans eager to vote early in unusual election

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after a crash in Salina.

Just after 9p.m. Sunday, a 1978 Mercury Monarch driven by Felix Escobedo-Rodriguez, 37, of Salina, was westbound in an alley between Norton Street and Roach Street, when the vehicle struck a metal fence on the south side of the alley, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

The vehicle became disabled on the fence and a pile of rubbish in the back yard of 521 East Cloud, Street.

When officers arrived on scene, Escobedo-Rodriguez fled on foot. He was caught in the parking lot of the New Community Christian Church, 530 East Cloud Street and taken into custody.

He is being held on&nbsp;requested charges of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, duty to report an accident involving property damage, No proof of insurance, Operating a motor vehicle without a license and Interference with a law enforcement officer.

The vehicle sustained minor damage to the front and disabling damage to the undercarriage, and was towed from the scene, according to Forrester.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603122491060.png" alt="Felix Escobedo-Rodriguez -Saline County." />
 <figcaption>Felix Escobedo-Rodriguez -Saline County.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after a crash in Salina.Just after 9p.m. Sunday, a 1978 Mercury Monarch driven by Felix Escobedo-Rodriguez, 37, of Salina, was westbound in an alley between Norton Street and Roach Street, when the vehicle struck a metal fence on the south side of the alley, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.The vehicle became disabled on the fence and a pile of rubbish in the back yard of 521 East Cloud, Street.When officers arrived on scene, Escobedo-Rodriguez fled on foot. He was caught in the parking lot of the New Community Christian Church, 530 East Cloud Street and taken into custody.He is being held on&nbsp;requested charges of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, duty to report an accident involving property damage, No proof of insurance, Operating a motor vehicle without a license and Interference with a law enforcement officer.The vehicle sustained minor damage to the front and disabling damage to the undercarriage, and was towed from the scene, according to Forrester.

Police catch Kan. man in church parking lot after crash

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to seven robberies at local businesses, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Joshua Alexander Musgraves, 27, Topeka, pleaded guilty to seven counts of robbery including: Jan. 6, 2017, Plato’s Closet, 1580 SW Wanamaker, Topeka;&nbsp; Jan. 20, 2017, Kentucky Fried Chicken, 1812 NW Topeka Blvd, Topeka; March 23, 2017, Burger King, 2817 SE California Ave., Topeka; March 30, 2017, McDonald’s, 1100 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka; April 3, 2017, Subway, 1601 W. 23rd, Topeka; April 4, 2017, Wing Stop, 2233 Louisiana St., Lawrence, Kan.; Dec. 10, 2016, Denison State Bank, 3640 SW Fairlawn, Topeka.

&nbsp;Sentencing is set for Jan. 25, 2021. Both parties have agree to recommend a sentence of no less than nine years and no more than 12 years in federal prison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602883495411.png" alt="Musgraves photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Musgraves photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to seven robberies at local businesses, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.Joshua Alexander Musgraves, 27, Topeka, pleaded guilty to seven counts of robbery including: Jan. 6, 2017, Plato’s Closet, 1580 SW Wanamaker, Topeka;&nbsp; Jan. 20, 2017, Kentucky Fried Chicken, 1812 NW Topeka Blvd, Topeka; March 23, 2017, Burger King, 2817 SE California Ave., Topeka; March 30, 2017, McDonald’s, 1100 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka; April 3, 2017, Subway, 1601 W. 23rd, Topeka; April 4, 2017, Wing Stop, 2233 Louisiana St., Lawrence, Kan.; Dec. 10, 2016, Denison State Bank, 3640 SW Fairlawn, Topeka.&nbsp;Sentencing is set for Jan. 25, 2021. Both parties have agree to recommend a sentence of no less than nine years and no more than 12 years in federal prison.

Kan. man admits robbing bank, 6 other businesses

SHAWNEE COUNTY— Authorities are working to determine the cause of a house fire Sunday in Shawnee County that sent one firefighter to the hospital.

Just after 10a.m. Sunday, fire crews responded to a fire at a home at 2406 SW Golf View Drive in Topeka, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.

Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke and flames coming from the home but were able to keep it contained.

The estimated dollar loss is $100,000.00, of which $75,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $25,000.00 associated with contents loss, according to Harrison.

SHAWNEE COUNTY— Authorities are working to determine the cause of a house fire Sunday in Shawnee County that sent one firefighter to the hospital.Just after 10a.m. Sunday, fire crews responded to a fire at a home at 2406 SW Golf View Drive in Topeka, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison.Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke and flames coming from the home but were able to keep it contained.The estimated dollar loss is $100,000.00, of which $75,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $25,000.00 associated with contents loss, according to Harrison.One firefighter sustained non-life threatening injuries during this incident. He was transported to a local hospital by fire officials.&nbsp; Authorities reported no other injuries.Working smoke detectors were located within the structure of fire origin, according to Harrison.