By ELLE MOXLEY <a href="https://www.kcur.org/education/2020-06-16/longer-days-shorter-semesters-how-covid-19-will-change-campus-life-at-kansas-and-missouri-colleges">Kansas News Service</a>

Colleges and universities in Kansas and Missouri are rolling out 
plans for the fall semester, which will look very different because of 
COVID-19.

The University of Missouri-Kansas City plans to hold the
 majority of classes in-person but to limit class size to 25% of room 
capacity, a move that will require a longer school day.

“We expect
 most students to have a schedule that combines in-person classes with 
some blended or online courses, unless they specifically request all 
online,” Provost Jenny Lundgren wrote in an email to students, faculty 
and staff on Monday.

Meanwhile the University of Kansas is 
shortening the academic calendar, pending approval from the Kansas Board
 of Regents. Students will start classes as scheduled Aug. 24, but 
they’ll finish the fall semester before Thanksgiving break. The spring 
semester will be shorter, too – students will start classes two weeks 
later, on Feb. 1, in lieu of spring break.

Longer days will also 
be the norm at KU, which plans to schedule classes from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
 Monday through Friday, with the potential for Saturday classes as well.

<a href="https://coronavirus.ku.edu/#Housing" target="_blank">KU is also staggering move-in dates</a> in August “to reduce congestion and allow for physical distancing.”

At
 UMKC, students won’t be able to have guests that don’t live in their 
residence hall, and they’re being asked to respect their roommates’ risk
 tolerance for having other people in the room. Furniture will be 
arranged to maximize space between roommates, and study lounges will be 
closed.

William Jewell College in Liberty has said that any 
student who wants to live alone to minimize exposure to COVID-19 will 
get a single room without having to pay a surcharge.

Kansas State 
in Manhattan will prioritize single rooms for students with COVID-19 
medical needs. K-State is also extending the cancellation deadline for 
students who cannot live safely on campus because they are in a 
high-risk category.

“The shared living experience is an important 
opportunity for K-State students, and we want to make that experience 
possible in a way that prioritizes the health and wellness of our 
students,” said Thomas Lane, dean of students.

At the same time, 
K-State is also assuring students they’ll get a partial refund if dorms 
have to close because of the coronavirus this fall.

The
 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone older 
than 2 wear a face mask to help protect others from respiratory droplets
 in case you’re sick but not showing symptoms yet.

Widespread mask use could prevent a second wave of coronavirus this fall, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/06/11/875311079/how-the-widespread-mask-use-could-slow-the-coronavirus-pandemic" target="_blank">NPR has reported</a>.

Right now, as part of a phased campus reopening, K-State <a href="https://www.k-state.edu/covid-19/operations/reopening/phase-3/" target="_blank">is requiring individuals to wear masks</a> in situations where six feet of physical distance can’t be maintained.

KU
 hasn’t said yet whether students will be asked to wear masks on campus 
in the fall but has said that students will be asked to sign a social 
responsibility pledge that could include actions like wearing a mask and
 staying six feet apart.

But because wearing face masks has become <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/05/29/864515630/the-battle-between-the-masked-and-the-masked-nots-unveils-political-rifts" target="_blank">a political flashpoint</a>, some college administrators are reluctant to mandate them on campus.

“We
 will be recommending, but not mandating, that everyone wear masks,” 
UMKC’s Lundgren wrote, adding that the university would install 
Plexiglas barriers to protect employees in high-traffic areas.

KCUR
 is licensed to the University of Missouri Board of Curators and is an 
editorially independent community service of the University of 
Missouri-Kansas City.&nbsp;Elle Moxley covers education for KCUR. You can reach her on Twitter @ellemoxley.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592410981213.png" alt="The University of Kansas plans to shorten its fall and spring semesters and will also stagger dates when students can move back in in August to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Tristan Bowersox / Creative Commons-Flickr" />
 <figcaption>The University of Kansas plans to shorten its fall and spring semesters and will also stagger dates when students can move back in in August to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Tristan Bowersox / Creative Commons-Flickr</figcaption>
 </figure>By ELLE MOXLEY <a href="https://www.kcur.org/education/2020-06-16/longer-days-shorter-semesters-how-covid-19-will-change-campus-life-at-kansas-and-missouri-colleges">Kansas News Service</a>Colleges and universities in Kansas and Missouri are rolling out 
plans for the fall semester, which will look very different because of 
COVID-19.The University of Missouri-Kansas City plans to hold the
 majority of classes in-person but to limit class size to 25% of room 
capacity, a move that will require a longer school day.“We expect
 most students to have a schedule that combines in-person classes with 
some blended or online courses, unless they specifically request all 
online,” Provost Jenny Lundgren wrote in an email to students, faculty 
and staff on Monday.Meanwhile the University of Kansas is 
shortening the academic calendar, pending approval from the Kansas Board
 of Regents. Students will start classes as scheduled Aug. 24, but 
they’ll finish the fall semester before Thanksgiving break. The spring 
semester will be shorter, too – students will start classes two weeks 
later, on Feb. 1, in lieu of spring break.Longer days will also 
be the norm at KU, which plans to schedule classes from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
 Monday through Friday, with the potential for Saturday classes as well.<h2>Dorm life</h2><a href="https://coronavirus.ku.edu/#Housing" target="_blank">KU is also staggering move-in dates</a> in August “to reduce congestion and allow for physical distancing.”At
 UMKC, students won’t be able to have guests that don’t live in their 
residence hall, and they’re being asked to respect their roommates’ risk
 tolerance for having other people in the room. Furniture will be 
arranged to maximize space between roommates, and study lounges will be 
closed.William Jewell College in Liberty has said that any 
student who wants to live alone to minimize exposure to COVID-19 will 
get a single room without having to pay a surcharge.Kansas State 
in Manhattan will prioritize single rooms for students with COVID-19 
medical needs. K-State is also extending the cancellation deadline for 
students who cannot live safely on campus because they are in a 
high-risk category.“The shared living experience is an important 
opportunity for K-State students, and we want to make that experience 
possible in a way that prioritizes the health and wellness of our 
students,” said Thomas Lane, dean of students.At the same time, 
K-State is also assuring students they’ll get a partial refund if dorms 
have to close because of the coronavirus this fall.<h2>Face masks</h2>The
 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone older 
than 2 wear a face mask to help protect others from respiratory droplets
 in case you’re sick but not showing symptoms yet.Widespread mask use could prevent a second wave of coronavirus this fall, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/06/11/875311079/how-the-widespread-mask-use-could-slow-the-coronavirus-pandemic" target="_blank">NPR has reported</a>.Right now, as part of a phased campus reopening, K-State <a href="https://www.k-state.edu/covid-19/operations/reopening/phase-3/" target="_blank">is requiring individuals to wear masks</a> in situations where six feet of physical distance can’t be maintained.KU
 hasn’t said yet whether students will be asked to wear masks on campus 
in the fall but has said that students will be asked to sign a social 
responsibility pledge that could include actions like wearing a mask and
 staying six feet apart.But because wearing face masks has become <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/05/29/864515630/the-battle-between-the-masked-and-the-masked-nots-unveils-political-rifts" target="_blank">a political flashpoint</a>, some college administrators are reluctant to mandate them on campus.“We
 will be recommending, but not mandating, that everyone wear masks,” 
UMKC’s Lundgren wrote, adding that the university would install 
Plexiglas barriers to protect employees in high-traffic areas.KCUR
 is licensed to the University of Missouri Board of Curators and is an 
editorially independent community service of the University of 
Missouri-Kansas City.&nbsp;Elle Moxley covers education for KCUR. You can reach her on Twitter @ellemoxley.

How COVID-19 will change campus life at Kansas, Missouri colleges

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen on numerous charges after an arrest with the help of an alert citizen.

Just after 1:30p.m. Tuesday,&nbsp; deputies were in the area of a driving complaint in the city of Great Bend after a concerned citizen had called 911 reporting a vehicle driving recklessly in the area of 10th and McKinley, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

The vehicle was located at about 1:56 PM by a Deputy Sheriff in the 5800 block of 10th Street. The deputy attempted to stop the vehicle at which point it fled. 

A short chase ensued and eventually the vehicle proceeded south on McKinley from 10th Street and the driver attempted to make a right- turn at 2nd and McKinley.

The driver lost control and ran over a stop sign. The driver then exited the vehicle while still moving and fled on foot. An alert citizen in the area saw the suspect fleeing from law enforcement and was able to intercept and restrain him until the deputies caught up.

Deputies arrested Brayden Powell-Rand age 19 of Great Bend and booked him on requested charges of felony attempt to flee and elude, numerous traffic violations and probation violation warrants. He is being held in lieu of a $30,000 bond, according to Bellendir.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592403806897.png" alt="Powell Rand" />
 <figcaption>Powell Rand</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen on numerous charges after an arrest with the help of an alert citizen.Just after 1:30p.m. Tuesday,&nbsp; deputies were in the area of a driving complaint in the city of Great Bend after a concerned citizen had called 911 reporting a vehicle driving recklessly in the area of 10th and McKinley, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.The vehicle was located at about 1:56 PM by a Deputy Sheriff in the 5800 block of 10th Street. The deputy attempted to stop the vehicle at which point it fled. A short chase ensued and eventually the vehicle proceeded south on McKinley from 10th Street and the driver attempted to make a right- turn at 2nd and McKinley.The driver lost control and ran over a stop sign. The driver then exited the vehicle while still moving and fled on foot. An alert citizen in the area saw the suspect fleeing from law enforcement and was able to intercept and restrain him until the deputies caught up.Deputies arrested Brayden Powell-Rand age 19 of Great Bend and booked him on requested charges of felony attempt to flee and elude, numerous traffic violations and probation violation warrants. He is being held in lieu of a $30,000 bond, according to Bellendir.

Alert citizen holds suspect until Kan. deputies make arrest

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has set new dates to begin executing federal death-row inmates following a monthslong legal battle over the plan to resume the executions for the first time since 2003.

Attorney General William Barr directed the federal Bureau of Prisons to schedule the executions, beginning in mid-July, of four inmates convicted of killing children. Three of the men had been scheduled to be put to death&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1ab434fcc31e429089eb5e14de0d1324">when Barr announced</a>&nbsp;the federal government would resume executions last year, ending an informal moratorium on federal capital punishment as the issue receded from the public domain.

The Justice Department had scheduled five executions set to begin in December, but some of the inmates challenged the new procedures in court, arguing that the government was circumventing proper methods in order to wrongly execute inmates quickly.

The department wouldn’t say why the executions of two of the inmates scheduled in December hadn’t been rescheduled.

The move is likely to add a new front to the national conversation about criminal justice reform and raise interest in an issue that has largely lain dormant in recent years amid the culture battles that President Donald Trump already is waging on matters such as abortion and immigration in the lead-up to the 2020 elections.

The federal government’s initial effort was put on hold by a trial judge, and the federal appeals court in Washington and the Supreme Court both declined to step in late last year. But in April, the appeals court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0325168e7addc66bcb0cc8ce89f61cc2">threw out</a>&nbsp;the judge’s order. Lawyers for the inmates are asking the Supreme Court to order a halt to the process.

“The American people, acting through Congress and Presidents of both political parties, have long instructed that defendants convicted of the most heinous crimes should be subject to a sentence of death,” Barr said in a statement. “The four murderers whose executions are scheduled today have received full and fair proceedings under our Constitution and laws. We owe it to the victims of these horrific crimes, and to the families left behind, to carry forward the sentence imposed by our justice system.”

The resumption comes as the federal prison has struggled to combat the coronavirus pandemic behind bars, including at least one death at USP Terre Haute, where they will take place. One inmate there has died from COVID-19.

The inmates who will be executed are: Danny Lee, who was convicted in Arkansas of killing a family of three, including an 8-year-old; Wesley Ira Purkey, of Kansas, who raped and murdered a 16-year-old girl and killed an 80-year-old woman; Dustin Lee Honken, who killed five people in Iowa, including two children; and Keith Dwayne Nelson, who kidnapped a 10-year-old girl who was rollerblading in front of her Kansas home and raped her in a forest behind a church before strangling the young girl with a wire.

Three of the executions — for Lee, Purkley and Honken — are scheduled days apart beginning July 13. Nelson’s execution is scheduled for Aug. 28. The Justice Department said additional executions will be set at a later date.

Executions on the federal level have been rare and the government has put to death only three defendants since restoring the federal death penalty in 1988 — most recently in 2003, when Louis Jones was executed for the 1995 kidnapping, rape and murder of a young female soldier. Though there hasn’t been a federal execution since 2003, the Justice Department has continued to approve death penalty prosecutions and federal courts have sentenced defendants to death.

In 2014, following a botched state execution in Oklahoma, President Barack Obama&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1d3518af20dc4849804c21e58b46ae15">directed the Justice Department&nbsp;</a>to conduct a broad review of capital punishment and issues surrounding lethal injection drugs.

The attorney general said last July that the Obama-era review had been completed, clearing the way for executions to resume. He approved a new procedure for lethal injections that replaces the three-drug combination previously used in federal executions with one drug, pentobarbital. This is similar to the procedure used in several states, including Georgia, Missouri and Texas, but not all.

Barr&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d0ddb30f2b214bc19da9a03305ac44de">told the AP</a>&nbsp;in November that the federal Bureau of Prisons had been testing and conducting practice drills ahead of the first execution. He would not say where the drugs would come from.

Those chosen were among inmates who had exhausted their appeals, and the cases were forwarded to senior Justice Department officials who reviewed the cases and made recommendations to him, Barr said.

President Donald Trump has spoken often about capital punishment and his belief that executions serve as an effective deterrent and an appropriate punishment for some crimes, including mass shootings and the killings of police officers.

Lawyers for the men decried the Justice Department’s decision to move ahead with the executions.

Ruth Friedman, an attorney for Danny Lee, said the government relied on “junk science and false evidence” in his case and said he is trying to get a court to consider problems in his case. A federal judge denied Lee’s request for a new trial but noted that evidence presented by his attorneys “is reasonably likely” to have led to a different sentence.

“Given all of these circumstances, it would be unconscionable for the government to execute Danny Lee,” Friedman said.

Purkey’s attorney, Rebecca Woodman, said her client suffers from schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and doesn’t understand why the government plans to execute him. “No execution should proceed unless and until the question of Wes’s competency is resolved,” she said.

And an attorney for Honken, Shawn Nolan, said Honken’s trial and sentencing proceeding were “plagued by misconduct and the ineffectiveness of counsel” and said he was been denied a full and fair review of the alleged defects in the case. Nolan described Honken as a “deeply remorseful and devout Catholic and loving father of two children.”

An attorney for Nelson did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1564080385902.png" alt="Wesley Ira Purkey, of Kansas, who raped and murdered a 16-year-old girl and killed an 80-year-old woman is scheduled for execution next month" />
 <figcaption>Wesley Ira Purkey, of Kansas, who raped and murdered a 16-year-old girl and killed an 80-year-old woman is scheduled for execution next month</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has set new dates to begin executing federal death-row inmates following a monthslong legal battle over the plan to resume the executions for the first time since 2003.Attorney General William Barr directed the federal Bureau of Prisons to schedule the executions, beginning in mid-July, of four inmates convicted of killing children. Three of the men had been scheduled to be put to death&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1ab434fcc31e429089eb5e14de0d1324">when Barr announced</a>&nbsp;the federal government would resume executions last year, ending an informal moratorium on federal capital punishment as the issue receded from the public domain.The Justice Department had scheduled five executions set to begin in December, but some of the inmates challenged the new procedures in court, arguing that the government was circumventing proper methods in order to wrongly execute inmates quickly.The department wouldn’t say why the executions of two of the inmates scheduled in December hadn’t been rescheduled.The move is likely to add a new front to the national conversation about criminal justice reform and raise interest in an issue that has largely lain dormant in recent years amid the culture battles that President Donald Trump already is waging on matters such as abortion and immigration in the lead-up to the 2020 elections.The federal government’s initial effort was put on hold by a trial judge, and the federal appeals court in Washington and the Supreme Court both declined to step in late last year. But in April, the appeals court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0325168e7addc66bcb0cc8ce89f61cc2">threw out</a>&nbsp;the judge’s order. Lawyers for the inmates are asking the Supreme Court to order a halt to the process.“The American people, acting through Congress and Presidents of both political parties, have long instructed that defendants convicted of the most heinous crimes should be subject to a sentence of death,” Barr said in a statement. “The four murderers whose executions are scheduled today have received full and fair proceedings under our Constitution and laws. We owe it to the victims of these horrific crimes, and to the families left behind, to carry forward the sentence imposed by our justice system.”The resumption comes as the federal prison has struggled to combat the coronavirus pandemic behind bars, including at least one death at USP Terre Haute, where they will take place. One inmate there has died from COVID-19.The inmates who will be executed are: Danny Lee, who was convicted in Arkansas of killing a family of three, including an 8-year-old; Wesley Ira Purkey, of Kansas, who raped and murdered a 16-year-old girl and killed an 80-year-old woman; Dustin Lee Honken, who killed five people in Iowa, including two children; and Keith Dwayne Nelson, who kidnapped a 10-year-old girl who was rollerblading in front of her Kansas home and raped her in a forest behind a church before strangling the young girl with a wire.Three of the executions — for Lee, Purkley and Honken — are scheduled days apart beginning July 13. Nelson’s execution is scheduled for Aug. 28. The Justice Department said additional executions will be set at a later date.Executions on the federal level have been rare and the government has put to death only three defendants since restoring the federal death penalty in 1988 — most recently in 2003, when Louis Jones was executed for the 1995 kidnapping, rape and murder of a young female soldier. Though there hasn’t been a federal execution since 2003, the Justice Department has continued to approve death penalty prosecutions and federal courts have sentenced defendants to death.In 2014, following a botched state execution in Oklahoma, President Barack Obama&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1d3518af20dc4849804c21e58b46ae15">directed the Justice Department&nbsp;</a>to conduct a broad review of capital punishment and issues surrounding lethal injection drugs.The attorney general said last July that the Obama-era review had been completed, clearing the way for executions to resume. He approved a new procedure for lethal injections that replaces the three-drug combination previously used in federal executions with one drug, pentobarbital. This is similar to the procedure used in several states, including Georgia, Missouri and Texas, but not all.Barr&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d0ddb30f2b214bc19da9a03305ac44de">told the AP</a>&nbsp;in November that the federal Bureau of Prisons had been testing and conducting practice drills ahead of the first execution. He would not say where the drugs would come from.Those chosen were among inmates who had exhausted their appeals, and the cases were forwarded to senior Justice Department officials who reviewed the cases and made recommendations to him, Barr said.President Donald Trump has spoken often about capital punishment and his belief that executions serve as an effective deterrent and an appropriate punishment for some crimes, including mass shootings and the killings of police officers.Lawyers for the men decried the Justice Department’s decision to move ahead with the executions.Ruth Friedman, an attorney for Danny Lee, said the government relied on “junk science and false evidence” in his case and said he is trying to get a court to consider problems in his case. A federal judge denied Lee’s request for a new trial but noted that evidence presented by his attorneys “is reasonably likely” to have led to a different sentence.“Given all of these circumstances, it would be unconscionable for the government to execute Danny Lee,” Friedman said.Purkey’s attorney, Rebecca Woodman, said her client suffers from schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and doesn’t understand why the government plans to execute him. “No execution should proceed unless and until the question of Wes’s competency is resolved,” she said.And an attorney for Honken, Shawn Nolan, said Honken’s trial and sentencing proceeding were “plagued by misconduct and the ineffectiveness of counsel” and said he was been denied a full and fair review of the alleged defects in the case. Nolan described Honken as a “deeply remorseful and devout Catholic and loving father of two children.”An attorney for Nelson did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Kansas man on death row scheduled for execution next month

NEW YORK (AP) — Pepsico is changing the name and marketing image of its Aunt Jemima pancake mix and syrup.

<a href="http://www.auntjemima.com/our-history">Click here to read</a> the history of Aunt Jemima

A spokeswoman for Pepsico-owned Quaker Oats Company said it recognized Aunt Jemima’s origins are based on a racial stereotype and that the 131-year-old name and image would be replaced on products and advertising by the fourth quarter of 2020. 

Quaker did not say what the name would be changed to. Earlier this spring, Land O’Lakes announced that it would no longer use the Native American woman who had graced its packages of butter other products since the late 1920s.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592400249557.png" alt="Image courtesy Pepsico" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Pepsico</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Pepsico is changing the name and marketing image of its Aunt Jemima pancake mix and syrup.<a href="http://www.auntjemima.com/our-history">Click here to read</a> the history of Aunt JemimaA spokeswoman for Pepsico-owned Quaker Oats Company said it recognized Aunt Jemima’s origins are based on a racial stereotype and that the 131-year-old name and image would be replaced on products and advertising by the fourth quarter of 2020. Quaker did not say what the name would be changed to. Earlier this spring, Land O’Lakes announced that it would no longer use the Native American woman who had graced its packages of butter other products since the late 1920s.

Aunt Jemima brand acknowledging racist past, will be retired

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The State Finance Council today&nbsp;approved&nbsp;the distribution of $400 million&nbsp;in funding from the&nbsp;Coronavirus Relief Fund to&nbsp;local Kansas governments&nbsp;to help combat the health and economic&nbsp;challenges&nbsp;COVID-19 has&nbsp;brought on their communities, and to help prepare for&nbsp;possible future outbreaks of the disease.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“This first round of coronavirus aid will be critical&nbsp;as we work to get Kansans back to work and school,&nbsp;in the safest&nbsp;way possible,” Governor Laura Kelly said in a media release. 

“I’m pleased that the State Finance Council&nbsp;acted&nbsp;quickly,&nbsp;and&nbsp;in the best interest of Kansans. We must&nbsp;continue to&nbsp;provide&nbsp;our communities&nbsp;with&nbsp;the&nbsp;resources&nbsp;needed to mitigate the spread of the virus and revitalize our state’s economy.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The initial funding proposal came from&nbsp;Governor Kelly’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce Executive Committee, which is charged with distributing over&nbsp;a billion dollars in federal funds Kansas received under the&nbsp;Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;“The funds approved today are a great first step in helping our communities recover from the&nbsp;unique health and economic challenges&nbsp;created by COVID-19,”&nbsp;said Cheryl&nbsp;Harrison-Lee,&nbsp;Executive Director of the Recovery Office.&nbsp;“We will continue to consult with community members as well as experts from the public and private sectors so that&nbsp;our&nbsp;local&nbsp;governments&nbsp;can access&nbsp;funding that fulfills their individual recovery and preparedness needs.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Under the&nbsp;first round of funding, each county&nbsp;will&nbsp;receive&nbsp;resources&nbsp;based on&nbsp;their population, case rates and unemployment rates.&nbsp;Funds will be provided to counties for both reimbursement and direct aid for eligible expenditures under the CARES Act.&nbsp;

The State Finance Council&nbsp;today&nbsp;also&nbsp;approved reimbursement&nbsp;for COVID-19-related&nbsp;costs for state&nbsp;agencies&nbsp;totaling $16.7 million, as well as&nbsp;FY 2020&nbsp;expenditures for the&nbsp;Office of Recovery.&nbsp;

“These reimbursements will&nbsp;help offset the unexpected expenses caused by COVID-19&nbsp;so that Kansans can continue to receive agency support,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said. “Now more than ever, our state agencies&nbsp;must&nbsp;be ready to offer their&nbsp;quality,&nbsp;much-needed services to the people of Kansas.”<a></a>

Other actions taken by the State Finance Council&nbsp;in relation to COVID-19 relief:&nbsp;&nbsp;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Approved allocation of the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER)&nbsp;to the Kansas Board of Regents;&nbsp;&nbsp;

·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Approved&nbsp;expenditures from other agency federal funds that receive grants&nbsp;for the purpose of&nbsp;federal coronavirus relief.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592391014566.png" alt="Governor Kelly and legislative leaders on the State Finance Council met Tuesday in Topeka -photo by Isaac French courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Governor Kelly and legislative leaders on the State Finance Council met Tuesday in Topeka -photo by Isaac French courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA –&nbsp;The State Finance Council today&nbsp;approved&nbsp;the distribution of $400 million&nbsp;in funding from the&nbsp;Coronavirus Relief Fund to&nbsp;local Kansas governments&nbsp;to help combat the health and economic&nbsp;challenges&nbsp;COVID-19 has&nbsp;brought on their communities, and to help prepare for&nbsp;possible future outbreaks of the disease.&nbsp;&nbsp;“This first round of coronavirus aid will be critical&nbsp;as we work to get Kansans back to work and school,&nbsp;in the safest&nbsp;way possible,” Governor Laura Kelly said in a media release. “I’m pleased that the State Finance Council&nbsp;acted&nbsp;quickly,&nbsp;and&nbsp;in the best interest of Kansans. We must&nbsp;continue to&nbsp;provide&nbsp;our communities&nbsp;with&nbsp;the&nbsp;resources&nbsp;needed to mitigate the spread of the virus and revitalize our state’s economy.”&nbsp;&nbsp;The initial funding proposal came from&nbsp;Governor Kelly’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce Executive Committee, which is charged with distributing over&nbsp;a billion dollars in federal funds Kansas received under the&nbsp;Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“The funds approved today are a great first step in helping our communities recover from the&nbsp;unique health and economic challenges&nbsp;created by COVID-19,”&nbsp;said Cheryl&nbsp;Harrison-Lee,&nbsp;Executive Director of the Recovery Office.&nbsp;“We will continue to consult with community members as well as experts from the public and private sectors so that&nbsp;our&nbsp;local&nbsp;governments&nbsp;can access&nbsp;funding that fulfills their individual recovery and preparedness needs.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Under the&nbsp;first round of funding, each county&nbsp;will&nbsp;receive&nbsp;resources&nbsp;based on&nbsp;their population, case rates and unemployment rates.&nbsp;Funds will be provided to counties for both reimbursement and direct aid for eligible expenditures under the CARES Act.&nbsp;The State Finance Council&nbsp;today&nbsp;also&nbsp;approved reimbursement&nbsp;for COVID-19-related&nbsp;costs for state&nbsp;agencies&nbsp;totaling $16.7 million, as well as&nbsp;FY 2020&nbsp;expenditures for the&nbsp;Office of Recovery.&nbsp;“These reimbursements will&nbsp;help offset the unexpected expenses caused by COVID-19&nbsp;so that Kansans can continue to receive agency support,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said. “Now more than ever, our state agencies&nbsp;must&nbsp;be ready to offer their&nbsp;quality,&nbsp;much-needed services to the people of Kansas.”<a></a>Other actions taken by the State Finance Council&nbsp;in relation to COVID-19 relief:&nbsp;&nbsp;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Approved allocation of the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER)&nbsp;to the Kansas Board of Regents;&nbsp;&nbsp;·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Approved&nbsp;expenditures from other agency federal funds that receive grants&nbsp;for the purpose of&nbsp;federal coronavirus relief.&nbsp;&nbsp;

State Finance Council approves $400M virus relief funding for Kan. counties

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats controlling the House have slated a vote next week to make the District of Columbia the 51st state, an issue that they say has become far more important in the aftermath of protests for racial justice in both Washington and across the nation.

Next Friday’s vote, if successful, would pass a D.C. statehood bill for the first time in the House, but the legislation faces insurmountable opposition in the GOP-controlled Senate. It comes even as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">COVID-19 pandemic</a>&nbsp;has forced delays in the consideration of most other legislation. More than enough lawmakers are officially backing the bill for it to pass. In 1993, the Democratic-controlled Congress defeated a D.C. statehood bill by an almost 2-1 margin.

But the much-criticized administration move to use federal forces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/15be4e293cdebe72c10304fe0ec668e4">to clear Lafayette Square near the White House of peaceful protesters&nbsp;</a>to enable President Donald Trump to trumpet his law and order credentials in a photo op two weeks ago prompted Democratic leaders to schedule the vote. “We both agreed this was an appropriate time to bring a bill forward to show respect for the citizens of the District of Columbia,” said Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.

“There shouldn’t be troops from other states in Washington, D.C.,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser, who presented Hoyer on Tuesday with a U.S. Flag bearing 51 stars. “There shouldn’t be federal forces advancing against Americans, and there very definitely shouldn’t be soldiers stationed around our city waiting for the go to attack Americans in a local policing matter.”

A plurality of the District of Columbia is African American and the city is overwhelmingly Democratic. Trump said last month that “D.C. will never be a state” because it would likely mean two more Democratic senators. “No, thank you. That’ll never happen,” he told the New York Post.

But Hoyer said the rights of D.C. residents should transcend political calculations.

“This is not about politics. If it is, then we demean our democracy,” he said. “This is about who we are as a country.”

Bowser pointed out that D.C. taxpayers get no voting representatives in Congress despite contributing more in federal taxes on a per person basis than many states. The nation’s capital, with just over 700,000 residents, has a larger population than Vermont and Wyoming.

Bowser said recent events have focused national attention on the plight of Washington, D.C. Earlier this year, when Congress passed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2099a53bb8adf2def7ee7329ea322f9d">CARES Act</a>&nbsp;stimulus package, Washington, D.C., was classified as a territory rather than a state — a distinction that cost Washington more than $700 million in federal coronavirus relief funding.

All District laws are subject to review by a congressional committee, which can veto them or alter them by attaching riders to federal appropriations bills. During GOP control of Congress, conservatives have sought, mostly unsuccessfully, to restrict some of the city’s liberal initiatives such as needle exchanges for drug users and abortions under its Medicaid program.

Most recently, a 2014 ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana use passed overwhelmingly. But Congress stepped in and essentially vetoed the initiative by prohibiting the District government from spending any funds or resources on developing a regulatory or taxation system for marijuana sales.

Bowser said Trump’s actions during the protests “violated our principles of Americans being able to peacefully protest and it violated our principles of local autonomy.”

As a result, Bowser said her office is now fielding unprecedented interest in the issue from around the country. She was recently interviewed on “The Late Late Show” where host James Cordon said he had only just learned that the district has no senators and only one non-voting delegate in the House of Representatives.

“A lot of Americans are in that place,” Bowser said. “When Americans know about the issue of D.C. statehood, they support D.C. statehood.”

Hoyer acknowledged that the bill faces stiff opposition in the Republican-controlled Senate and called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY., to take the measure seriously.

“I hope that Senator McConnell cares enough about our democracy to allow a vote on this bill in the United States Senate,” Hoyer said. “Politics is not the issue. It’s democracy that’s the issue.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592342593996.png" alt="House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during Tuesday news conference-photo courtesy&nbsp; DC Mayor Muriel Bowser" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during Tuesday news conference-photo courtesy&nbsp; DC Mayor Muriel Bowser</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats controlling the House have slated a vote next week to make the District of Columbia the 51st state, an issue that they say has become far more important in the aftermath of protests for racial justice in both Washington and across the nation.Next Friday’s vote, if successful, would pass a D.C. statehood bill for the first time in the House, but the legislation faces insurmountable opposition in the GOP-controlled Senate. It comes even as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">COVID-19 pandemic</a>&nbsp;has forced delays in the consideration of most other legislation. More than enough lawmakers are officially backing the bill for it to pass. In 1993, the Democratic-controlled Congress defeated a D.C. statehood bill by an almost 2-1 margin.But the much-criticized administration move to use federal forces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/15be4e293cdebe72c10304fe0ec668e4">to clear Lafayette Square near the White House of peaceful protesters&nbsp;</a>to enable President Donald Trump to trumpet his law and order credentials in a photo op two weeks ago prompted Democratic leaders to schedule the vote. “We both agreed this was an appropriate time to bring a bill forward to show respect for the citizens of the District of Columbia,” said Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.“There shouldn’t be troops from other states in Washington, D.C.,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser, who presented Hoyer on Tuesday with a U.S. Flag bearing 51 stars. “There shouldn’t be federal forces advancing against Americans, and there very definitely shouldn’t be soldiers stationed around our city waiting for the go to attack Americans in a local policing matter.”A plurality of the District of Columbia is African American and the city is overwhelmingly Democratic. Trump said last month that “D.C. will never be a state” because it would likely mean two more Democratic senators. “No, thank you. That’ll never happen,” he told the New York Post.But Hoyer said the rights of D.C. residents should transcend political calculations.“This is not about politics. If it is, then we demean our democracy,” he said. “This is about who we are as a country.”Bowser pointed out that D.C. taxpayers get no voting representatives in Congress despite contributing more in federal taxes on a per person basis than many states. The nation’s capital, with just over 700,000 residents, has a larger population than Vermont and Wyoming.Bowser said recent events have focused national attention on the plight of Washington, D.C. Earlier this year, when Congress passed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2099a53bb8adf2def7ee7329ea322f9d">CARES Act</a>&nbsp;stimulus package, Washington, D.C., was classified as a territory rather than a state — a distinction that cost Washington more than $700 million in federal coronavirus relief funding.All District laws are subject to review by a congressional committee, which can veto them or alter them by attaching riders to federal appropriations bills. During GOP control of Congress, conservatives have sought, mostly unsuccessfully, to restrict some of the city’s liberal initiatives such as needle exchanges for drug users and abortions under its Medicaid program.Most recently, a 2014 ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana use passed overwhelmingly. But Congress stepped in and essentially vetoed the initiative by prohibiting the District government from spending any funds or resources on developing a regulatory or taxation system for marijuana sales.Bowser said Trump’s actions during the protests “violated our principles of Americans being able to peacefully protest and it violated our principles of local autonomy.”As a result, Bowser said her office is now fielding unprecedented interest in the issue from around the country. She was recently interviewed on “The Late Late Show” where host James Cordon said he had only just learned that the district has no senators and only one non-voting delegate in the House of Representatives.“A lot of Americans are in that place,” Bowser said. “When Americans know about the issue of D.C. statehood, they support D.C. statehood.”Hoyer acknowledged that the bill faces stiff opposition in the Republican-controlled Senate and called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY., to take the measure seriously.“I hope that Senator McConnell cares enough about our democracy to allow a vote on this bill in the United States Senate,” Hoyer said. “Politics is not the issue. It’s democracy that’s the issue.”

Washington DC faces House vote to become the 51st state

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man following a traffic stop.

Just before 3:30p.m. Sunday, a Sheriff’s deputy stopped a 2004 Acura on U.S. 75 near K-9 Highway in northern Jackson County for allegedly committing a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The driver was identified as Charles M. Griswold, 49, of Atlantic, Iowa. Griswold was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while revoked.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592391397266.png" alt="Griswold-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Griswold-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man following a traffic stop.Just before 3:30p.m. Sunday, a Sheriff’s deputy stopped a 2004 Acura on U.S. 75 near K-9 Highway in northern Jackson County for allegedly committing a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.The driver was identified as Charles M. Griswold, 49, of Atlantic, Iowa. Griswold was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while revoked.

Sheriff: Deputies find meth, marijuana during Kansas traffic stop

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas mom who tried to kill her three young children with medication was sentenced Tuesday to nearly 29 years in prison.

Therese Irine Roever, 39, was sentenced on three counts of attempted first-degree murder and criminal threat. She will have to register as a violent offender when she is released, Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe said.

Prosecutors said Roever’s ex-husband called police and emergency responders to her home on Feb. 19, 2018, after finding his children drugged and groggy.

When officers arrived, they found Roever lying on a bed with a 7-year-old who was not alert. Another 7-year-old was crying in a bathroom and a 5-year-old was seen getting up from a bed and stumbling to the ground, police said.

Officers found several pill bottles on the ledge of a bed, according to court documents.

Roever and her children were hospitalized and doctors said two of the children would have died if police hadn’t arrived when they did.

Roever lost custody of the children to her ex-husband after the two were divorced in 2016 but she was later granted unsupervised visitation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592338523273.png" alt="Roever photo Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Roever photo Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas mom who tried to kill her three young children with medication was sentenced Tuesday to nearly 29 years in prison.Therese Irine Roever, 39, was sentenced on three counts of attempted first-degree murder and criminal threat. She will have to register as a violent offender when she is released, Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe said.Prosecutors said Roever’s ex-husband called police and emergency responders to her home on Feb. 19, 2018, after finding his children drugged and groggy.When officers arrived, they found Roever lying on a bed with a 7-year-old who was not alert. Another 7-year-old was crying in a bathroom and a 5-year-old was seen getting up from a bed and stumbling to the ground, police said.Officers found several pill bottles on the ledge of a bed, according to court documents.Roever and her children were hospitalized and doctors said two of the children would have died if police hadn’t arrived when they did.Roever lost custody of the children to her ex-husband after the two were divorced in 2016 but she was later granted unsupervised visitation.

Kansas mom sentenced for trying to poison her 3 children

TREGO COUNTY —Gleneice Lashawn Phillips, 24, Dayton, Ohio, and&nbsp;Kamryne J. Wright, 19, Dayton, Ohio, are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of traveling across state lines in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Jan. 19 in Trego County, according to a news release Tuesday from&nbsp;U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

The defendants initially were charged by criminal complaint March 10, 2020. The complaint alleged they were stopped with more than 35 pounds of methamphetamine and approximately 22 pounds of fentanyl.

If convicted, they could face not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million on each of the possession charges and up to five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the other count. The Kansas Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lind is prosecuting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592341677950.png" alt="Wright- photo Trego Co." />
 <figcaption>Wright- photo Trego Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>TREGO COUNTY —Gleneice Lashawn Phillips, 24, Dayton, Ohio, and&nbsp;Kamryne J. Wright, 19, Dayton, Ohio, are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of traveling across state lines in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Jan. 19 in Trego County, according to a news release Tuesday from&nbsp;U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.The defendants initially were charged by criminal complaint March 10, 2020. The complaint alleged they were stopped with more than 35 pounds of methamphetamine and approximately 22 pounds of fentanyl.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592341642530.png" alt="Phillips photo Trego Co." />
 <figcaption>Phillips photo Trego Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>If convicted, they could face not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million on each of the possession charges and up to five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the other count. The Kansas Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Lind is prosecuting.

 2 charged with transporting massive quantity of fentanyl to Kansas

ATLANTA (AP) — A widely available drug is showing promise of treating the most seriously ill coronavirus patients. It's a welcome bit of hope as countries grapple with spikes in contagion as they loosen restrictions and reopen their economies. 

Researchers say the steroid, called dexamethasone, reduced deaths by 35% in patients who needed breathing machines and by 20% among those using supplemental oxygen. 

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the drug was the “biggest breakthrough yet” in treating the virus, and top U.S. infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci called it “a significant improvement in the available therapeutic options that we have.” 

Since the virus emerged in China last year, there have been more than 8 million confirmed cases and more than 435,000 deaths around the world.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586725855330.png" alt="Dr. Anthony Fauci called it “a significant improvement in the available therapeutic options that we have.”" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Anthony Fauci called it “a significant improvement in the available therapeutic options that we have.”</figcaption>
 </figure>ATLANTA (AP) — A widely available drug is showing promise of treating the most seriously ill coronavirus patients. It's a welcome bit of hope as countries grapple with spikes in contagion as they loosen restrictions and reopen their economies. Researchers say the steroid, called dexamethasone, reduced deaths by 35% in patients who needed breathing machines and by 20% among those using supplemental oxygen. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the drug was the “biggest breakthrough yet” in treating the virus, and top U.S. infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci called it “a significant improvement in the available therapeutic options that we have.” Since the virus emerged in China last year, there have been more than 8 million confirmed cases and more than 435,000 deaths around the world.

Cheap drug is first shown to improve COVID-19 survival

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Investigators found no weapon inside a vehicle driven by a Missouri woman who was shot and killed by a sheriff's deputy over the weekend, authorities said Tuesday.

Hannah Fizer, 25,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c2402b227f9ea86121ccbae480fc87a8">died</a>&nbsp;Saturday night after being shot by a Pettis County deputy following a traffic stop.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol, which is investigating the shooting, initially said Fizer was shot after she said she had a gun and threatened to shoot the deputy.

Investigators who searched her car did not find a weapon, patrol spokesman Bill Lowe said Tuesday. He said no new information was available to explain why the situation escalated into a shooting. No one else was injured during the confrontation.

Fizer was stopped after she ran a red light as she drove to work Saturday night, the patrol said. She kept going even as the deputy tried to stop her, but she eventually pulled over.

<a href="https://apnews.com/c2402b227f9ea86121ccbae480fc87a8">Fizer's family and friends</a>&nbsp;expressed doubt that she had a gun. Her father, John Fizer, said Monday that his daughter never carried a gun and she was not likely to become belligerent with law enforcement officers.

No body camera or dashcam video of the encounter exists. Pettis County Sheriff Kevin Bond told TV station KOMU that the department's deputies stopped wearing cameras about three years ago because of technical difficulties and a lack of funding.

Lowe said the Fizer investigation is a priority for the patrol but that it could be up to a month before all reports are complete and information is compiled to send to the district attorney, who will determine if anyone will be charged.

The deputy, whose name has not been released, was placed on paid administrative leave pending the investigation, which is routine in officer-involved shootings. He has worked for Pettis County since 2007 and had no previous complaints against him, Bond said.

The shooting comes amid increased scrutiny of officer-involved killings since the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Floyd was a black man who died after a white police officer pressed a knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes as he pleaded for air and eventually stopped moving. Both Fizer and the deputy who shot her were white.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592338794006.png" alt="Hannah Fizer- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Hannah Fizer- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Investigators found no weapon inside a vehicle driven by a Missouri woman who was shot and killed by a sheriff's deputy over the weekend, authorities said Tuesday.Hannah Fizer, 25,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c2402b227f9ea86121ccbae480fc87a8">died</a>&nbsp;Saturday night after being shot by a Pettis County deputy following a traffic stop.The Missouri State Highway Patrol, which is investigating the shooting, initially said Fizer was shot after she said she had a gun and threatened to shoot the deputy.Investigators who searched her car did not find a weapon, patrol spokesman Bill Lowe said Tuesday. He said no new information was available to explain why the situation escalated into a shooting. No one else was injured during the confrontation.Fizer was stopped after she ran a red light as she drove to work Saturday night, the patrol said. She kept going even as the deputy tried to stop her, but she eventually pulled over.<a href="https://apnews.com/c2402b227f9ea86121ccbae480fc87a8">Fizer's family and friends</a>&nbsp;expressed doubt that she had a gun. Her father, John Fizer, said Monday that his daughter never carried a gun and she was not likely to become belligerent with law enforcement officers.No body camera or dashcam video of the encounter exists. Pettis County Sheriff Kevin Bond told TV station KOMU that the department's deputies stopped wearing cameras about three years ago because of technical difficulties and a lack of funding.Lowe said the Fizer investigation is a priority for the patrol but that it could be up to a month before all reports are complete and information is compiled to send to the district attorney, who will determine if anyone will be charged.The deputy, whose name has not been released, was placed on paid administrative leave pending the investigation, which is routine in officer-involved shootings. He has worked for Pettis County since 2007 and had no previous complaints against him, Bond said.The shooting comes amid increased scrutiny of officer-involved killings since the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Floyd was a black man who died after a white police officer pressed a knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes as he pleaded for air and eventually stopped moving. Both Fizer and the deputy who shot her were white.

Patrol: No gun found in car of Missouri woman shot by deputy

Topeka, Kan. – The Shawnee County Health Department (SCHD) is seeing an increase in both
Shawnee County and surrounding areas of COVID-19 cases directly and indirectly associated
with funerals and visitations, according to a media release.

As of June 15, 2020 there have been 41 cases including 1 death
linked to funerals in Shawnee County; these cases include residents in 5 different counties.

SCHD understands the importance of conducting funeral arrangements and visitations for our
loved ones. The guidance provided here from the Center of Disease Control (CDC) is for
individuals and families as they work with funeral directors, community and religious leaders,
and others to plan and hold funeral services and visitations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some examples for individuals and families include:


As a reminder, human coronaviruses like the one that causes COVID-19 are most commonly
spread through coughing and sneezing, personal contact like shaking hands, and touching a
surface with the virus and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. There are simple steps
everyone can take to help prevent spreading them:


<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592331300915.png" alt="Shawee County&nbsp; Health Director Linda Ochs during a Coronavirus Zoom meeting in May" />
 <figcaption>Shawee County&nbsp; Health Director Linda Ochs during a Coronavirus Zoom meeting in May</figcaption>
 </figure>Topeka, Kan. – The Shawnee County Health Department (SCHD) is seeing an increase in both
Shawnee County and surrounding areas of COVID-19 cases directly and indirectly associated
with funerals and visitations, according to a media release.As of June 15, 2020 there have been 41 cases including 1 death
linked to funerals in Shawnee County; these cases include residents in 5 different counties.SCHD understands the importance of conducting funeral arrangements and visitations for our
loved ones. The guidance provided here from the Center of Disease Control (CDC) is for
individuals and families as they work with funeral directors, community and religious leaders,
and others to plan and hold funeral services and visitations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some examples for individuals and families include:
<ol>
 <li>Follow the funeral directors instructions on how to keep your service safe; and notify all
the people who are invited that you expect them to comply with the directions they will
receive in order to keep the event safe

						</li><li>Using technology to connect virtually with family and friends during the grieving
process.

						</li><li>Considering modified funeral arrangements, such as limiting attendance at funerals held
shortly after the time of death to a small number of immediate family members and
friends; and then holding additional memorial services when social distancing guidelines
are less restrictive.

						</li><li>Practicing social distancing by maintaining at least 6 feet between attendees, facility staff,
and clergy or officiants when small, in-person services are held.

						</li><li>Considering modifications to funeral rites and rituals (for example, avoid touching the
deceased person’s body or personal belongings or other ceremonial objects) to make sure
of everyone’s safety.

						</li><li>Wearing cloth face coverings while around others and outside of your home.
“We must stay diligent with conducting our own personal risk assessments when attending
events such as funerals and larger family gatherings”, said Linda Ochs, Director of Shawnee
County Health Department. “As always please continue to practice social distancing when
possible, wear a mask when able to help lessen the spread of the virus and use every day
preventative measures. And most of all – if you are sick, do not attend a funeral, and contact
your primary care provider.”

						</li>
 </ol>As a reminder, human coronaviruses like the one that causes COVID-19 are most commonly
spread through coughing and sneezing, personal contact like shaking hands, and touching a
surface with the virus and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. There are simple steps
everyone can take to help prevent spreading them:
<ol>
 <li>Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water
are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

						</li><li>Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

						</li><li>Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

						</li><li>Stay home when you are sick and only leave home for essential items.

						</li><li>Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Additional Funeral Guidance: 
CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/funeral-guidance.html
National Funeral Directors Association – https://www.nfda.org/covid-19 Kansas State Board of Mortuary Arts – https://ksbma.ks.gov/
###
Shawnee County Health Department is committed to working in partnership with our community to
promote and protect the optimal health of all people by bridging gaps to eliminate health inequities,
respecting the diversity of our community, through adaptive and innovative processes.

						</li>
 </ol>

Health dept. in Kan. sees increase in virus cases linked to funerals, visitations

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary that sent two suspects to an area hospital and have reported a second arrest.

Just after 2 a.m. June 8, police responded to a burglary-in-progress call at the home in the 1400 Block of North Caddy in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Upon arrival, officers located a black 2017 Mazda 4-door that had crashed into a tree in the front yard of a separate home in the same block.&nbsp; Inside the vehicle was a 19-year-old female who had sustained a gunshot wound to her leg and a 19-year-old male who had sustained a gunshot wound to his body.&nbsp;

The woman identified as Mia Yevonne Marie Hidalgo was taken to an area hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening injury, and the man later identified as&nbsp;Kaeden Murphy was taken to an area hospital for treatment of a serious injury.

The investigation revealed a 42-year-old man was at home with his 38-year-old spouse and 5-year-old son.&nbsp; He heard his garage door open, went outside and heard a discussion between individuals in the Mazda and a black truck, targeting his home.&nbsp; 

Murphy and Hidalgo then pulled into his driveway with their headlights off and began to get out of the car.&nbsp; The 42-year-old yelled at them and fired two times from a shotgun, striking the individuals and the Mazda.&nbsp; Inside the Mazda, officers located two handguns, and the vehicle was reported as stolen.

On Sunday police reported&nbsp;Kaeden Murphy had been moved to jail and is <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20062884">being held on requested </a>charges of aggravated burglary, theft, burglary, criminal possession of a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm and a drug violation, according to online jail records. He is being held on a $50,000 bond.

On Friday, police reported Mia Yevonne Marie Hidalgo, 19, was in custody on requested charges of aggravated burglary, theft and a drug possession charge, according to the Sedgwick County booking report. She is being <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20061018">held on a bond of $51,500,</a> according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592158007198.png" alt="Murphy photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Murphy photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary that sent two suspects to an area hospital and have reported a second arrest.Just after 2 a.m. June 8, police responded to a burglary-in-progress call at the home in the 1400 Block of North Caddy in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591965362598.png" alt="Hidalgo -photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Hidalgo -photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Upon arrival, officers located a black 2017 Mazda 4-door that had crashed into a tree in the front yard of a separate home in the same block.&nbsp; Inside the vehicle was a 19-year-old female who had sustained a gunshot wound to her leg and a 19-year-old male who had sustained a gunshot wound to his body.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591635014456.png" alt="Police on the scene of Monday's burglary -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of Monday's burglary -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>The woman identified as Mia Yevonne Marie Hidalgo was taken to an area hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening injury, and the man later identified as&nbsp;Kaeden Murphy was taken to an area hospital for treatment of a serious injury.The investigation revealed a 42-year-old man was at home with his 38-year-old spouse and 5-year-old son.&nbsp; He heard his garage door open, went outside and heard a discussion between individuals in the Mazda and a black truck, targeting his home.&nbsp; Murphy and Hidalgo then pulled into his driveway with their headlights off and began to get out of the car.&nbsp; The 42-year-old yelled at them and fired two times from a shotgun, striking the individuals and the Mazda.&nbsp; Inside the Mazda, officers located two handguns, and the vehicle was reported as stolen.On Sunday police reported&nbsp;Kaeden Murphy had been moved to jail and is <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20062884">being held on requested </a>charges of aggravated burglary, theft, burglary, criminal possession of a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm and a drug violation, according to online jail records. He is being held on a $50,000 bond.On Friday, police reported Mia Yevonne Marie Hidalgo, 19, was in custody on requested charges of aggravated burglary, theft and a drug possession charge, according to the Sedgwick County booking report. She is being <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20061018">held on a bond of $51,500,</a> according to online jail records.

2nd Kansas burglary suspect moved from hospital to jail

WASHINGTON (AP) — Following weeks of national protests since the death of George Floyd, President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday aimed at encouraging better police practices and establishing a database to keep track of officers with a history of excessive use of force.

The Rose Garden announcement comes as Senate Republicans are preparing their own package of policing changes. Democrats have a package as well.

The GOP is rushing to respond to mass demonstrations over the deaths of Floyd and other black Americans killed by police.

It’s a sudden shift for the Republican Party — and one Democrats are watching warily — that shows just how quickly the mass protests over police actions and racial prejudice that have swept through the country have changed the political conversation.

Trump’s executive order would establish a database that tracks police officers who garner complaints about excessive use of force in their records, according to two senior administration officials who briefed reporters ahead of Tuesday’s announcement.

It would also establish a national credentialing system that would give police departments a financial incentive to adopt best practices.

It is being framed, in part, as a response to some activists’ calls to “defund the police,” a sentiment Trump and the White House have soundly rejected, arguing more resources are needed, not less.

Trump made his announcement to an audience including police officials as well as families of people who have been killed in interactions with police.

Meanwhile, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the sole African American Republican in the Senate, has been crafting the GOP legislative package, which will include new restrictions on police chokeholds and greater use of police body cameras, among other provisions.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., declared that Republicans are developing “a serious proposal to reform law enforcement.”

The Senate Judiciary Committee was to conduct a hearing Tuesday afternoon on “Police Use of Force and Community Relations,” drawing testimony from leading civil rights and law enforcement leaders.

“Now is the time to reimagine a more fair and just society in which all people are safe,” Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, was to tell senators, according to advance testimony obtained by The Associated Press.

The nationwide outcry “is anything but a reaction to one isolated incident or the misconduct of a few ‘bad apples,'” Gupta says. “The outcry is a response to the other horrific killings of black people by police.”

While the emerging GOP package isn’t as extensive as sweeping Democratic proposals, which are headed for a House vote next week, it includes perhaps the most far-reaching proposed changes to policing procedures from the party long aligned with a “law and order” approach.

Scott, who said he spoke with Trump about the legislation over the weekend, warned Monday that delaying voting until later this summer would be a “bad decision.”

The weekend shooting death of Rayshard Brooks by a white officer in Atlanta led to a renewed public outcry, more street protests and the police chief’s resignation.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York is among those urging Republicans not to settle for minor changes. “Now is the time to seek bold and broad-scale change,” Schumer said Monday.

With the political debate fluid, it is unclear whether the parties will be able to find common ground. The proposals emerging from Democrats and Republicans share many similar provisions but take different approaches to address some of the issues. Neither bill goes as far as some activists want in their push to “defund the police” by fully revamping departments.

Central to the Republican package would be the creation of the national database to improve transparency so officers cannot transfer from one department to another without public oversight of their records. The Democrats have a similar provision.

Yet the Republican bill does not go as far as the Democrats do on the issue of eliminating “qualified immunity,” which would enable those injured by law enforcement personnel to sue for damages. The White House has said that is a step too far. As an alternative, Scott has suggested a “decertification” process for officers involved in misconduct.

One large police union, the influential Fraternal Order of Police, said in a statement it is working with Congress and the White House on the proposals, having provided “feedback” on the Democratic bill and “substantial input” on the emerging GOP package.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592327216688.png" alt="President Trump signed the executive order on policing at 11a.m. CDT in a White House Rose Garden Ceremony -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump signed the executive order on policing at 11a.m. CDT in a White House Rose Garden Ceremony -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Following weeks of national protests since the death of George Floyd, President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday aimed at encouraging better police practices and establishing a database to keep track of officers with a history of excessive use of force.The Rose Garden announcement comes as Senate Republicans are preparing their own package of policing changes. Democrats have a package as well.The GOP is rushing to respond to mass demonstrations over the deaths of Floyd and other black Americans killed by police.It’s a sudden shift for the Republican Party — and one Democrats are watching warily — that shows just how quickly the mass protests over police actions and racial prejudice that have swept through the country have changed the political conversation.Trump’s executive order would establish a database that tracks police officers who garner complaints about excessive use of force in their records, according to two senior administration officials who briefed reporters ahead of Tuesday’s announcement.It would also establish a national credentialing system that would give police departments a financial incentive to adopt best practices.It is being framed, in part, as a response to some activists’ calls to “defund the police,” a sentiment Trump and the White House have soundly rejected, arguing more resources are needed, not less.Trump made his announcement to an audience including police officials as well as families of people who have been killed in interactions with police.Meanwhile, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the sole African American Republican in the Senate, has been crafting the GOP legislative package, which will include new restrictions on police chokeholds and greater use of police body cameras, among other provisions.Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., declared that Republicans are developing “a serious proposal to reform law enforcement.”The Senate Judiciary Committee was to conduct a hearing Tuesday afternoon on “Police Use of Force and Community Relations,” drawing testimony from leading civil rights and law enforcement leaders.“Now is the time to reimagine a more fair and just society in which all people are safe,” Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, was to tell senators, according to advance testimony obtained by The Associated Press.The nationwide outcry “is anything but a reaction to one isolated incident or the misconduct of a few ‘bad apples,'” Gupta says. “The outcry is a response to the other horrific killings of black people by police.”While the emerging GOP package isn’t as extensive as sweeping Democratic proposals, which are headed for a House vote next week, it includes perhaps the most far-reaching proposed changes to policing procedures from the party long aligned with a “law and order” approach.Scott, who said he spoke with Trump about the legislation over the weekend, warned Monday that delaying voting until later this summer would be a “bad decision.”The weekend shooting death of Rayshard Brooks by a white officer in Atlanta led to a renewed public outcry, more street protests and the police chief’s resignation.Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York is among those urging Republicans not to settle for minor changes. “Now is the time to seek bold and broad-scale change,” Schumer said Monday.With the political debate fluid, it is unclear whether the parties will be able to find common ground. The proposals emerging from Democrats and Republicans share many similar provisions but take different approaches to address some of the issues. Neither bill goes as far as some activists want in their push to “defund the police” by fully revamping departments.Central to the Republican package would be the creation of the national database to improve transparency so officers cannot transfer from one department to another without public oversight of their records. The Democrats have a similar provision.Yet the Republican bill does not go as far as the Democrats do on the issue of eliminating “qualified immunity,” which would enable those injured by law enforcement personnel to sue for damages. The White House has said that is a step too far. As an alternative, Scott has suggested a “decertification” process for officers involved in misconduct.One large police union, the influential Fraternal Order of Police, said in a statement it is working with Congress and the White House on the proposals, having provided “feedback” on the Democratic bill and “substantial input” on the emerging GOP package.

President Trump signs executive order on police reform

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A man who was shot and killed by Kansas law enforcement was wanted in a Nebraska killing.

Omaha, Nebraska, police identified the man killed Monday in Lawrence, Kansas, as 31-year-old Nicholas Hirsh, a white man who faced a first-degree murder arrest warrant for the shooting death Thursday of John Miles, 41, of Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Craig Beam, chief deputy for the Kansas division of the U.S. Marshals Service, said it appeared that the suspect had been in Kansas since Friday, when a car was stolen from Clay Center. He said the Marshals Service was helping to look for the vehicle when the Kansas Highway Patrol spotted it near Perry Lake in northeast Kansas. Beam said it was possible that the suspect had been camping there.

“Obviously he knew he was wanted,” Beam said. “He got spooked and took off”″

Troopers pursued the vehicle into Lawrence, where they eventually were able to stop it using tactical maneuvers that caused it to spin and come to a halt, the patrol said. The patrol said the man got out of his vehicle and pointed a gun in the direction of two troopers and an officer with a local law enforcement agency, and they exchanged gunfire. It’s not clear how many of the officers fired their weapons or which officer shot and killed the suspect.

Beam said a woman who also was in the vehicle was taken into custody for questioning.

No officers were hurt. The Johnson County, Kansas, Sheriff’s Office, which wasn’t involved in the chase or shooting, will investigate. The troopers involved will be placed on administrative leave during the investigation, which is standard practice.

DOUGLAS COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Lawrence.

Just after 3p.m. Monday, the Kansas Highway Patrol was assisting the US Marshal's service around Perry Lake, according to a media release.

The subject was located and initiated a pursuit with KHP.

A State Trooper intervened with the vehicle and caused it to become disabled in the area of 19th and Massachusetts in Lawrence.

The suspect exited the vehicle and exchanged gunfire with troopers and an officer from a local agency. The suspect, a white male, was shot and died at the scene, according to the KHP.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Officers were not injured. A female passenger in the vehicle was also taken into custody.

As is standard practice, the trooper has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation continues. The Johnson County Sheriff's office is in charge of the investigation.&nbsp; The name of the suspect has not been release.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592324285312.png" alt="Hirsh photo Omaha Police" />
 <figcaption>Hirsh photo Omaha Police</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A man who was shot and killed by Kansas law enforcement was wanted in a Nebraska killing.Omaha, Nebraska, police identified the man killed Monday in Lawrence, Kansas, as 31-year-old Nicholas Hirsh, a white man who faced a first-degree murder arrest warrant for the shooting death Thursday of John Miles, 41, of Council Bluffs, Iowa.Craig Beam, chief deputy for the Kansas division of the U.S. Marshals Service, said it appeared that the suspect had been in Kansas since Friday, when a car was stolen from Clay Center. He said the Marshals Service was helping to look for the vehicle when the Kansas Highway Patrol spotted it near Perry Lake in northeast Kansas. Beam said it was possible that the suspect had been camping there.“Obviously he knew he was wanted,” Beam said. “He got spooked and took off”″<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592303854218.png" alt="Law enforcement near the shooting&nbsp; at 19TH and Mass Street in Lawrence Monday afternoon -photo courtesy KCTV&nbsp;&nbsp; " />
 <figcaption>Law enforcement near the shooting&nbsp; at 19TH and Mass Street in Lawrence Monday afternoon -photo courtesy KCTV&nbsp;&nbsp; </figcaption>
 </figure>Troopers pursued the vehicle into Lawrence, where they eventually were able to stop it using tactical maneuvers that caused it to spin and come to a halt, the patrol said. The patrol said the man got out of his vehicle and pointed a gun in the direction of two troopers and an officer with a local law enforcement agency, and they exchanged gunfire. It’s not clear how many of the officers fired their weapons or which officer shot and killed the suspect.Beam said a woman who also was in the vehicle was taken into custody for questioning.No officers were hurt. The Johnson County, Kansas, Sheriff’s Office, which wasn’t involved in the chase or shooting, will investigate. The troopers involved will be placed on administrative leave during the investigation, which is standard practice.-------DOUGLAS COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Lawrence.Just after 3p.m. Monday, the Kansas Highway Patrol was assisting the US Marshal's service around Perry Lake, according to a media release.The subject was located and initiated a pursuit with KHP.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592304347537.png" alt="Vehicle involved in the pursuit -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Vehicle involved in the pursuit -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>A State Trooper intervened with the vehicle and caused it to become disabled in the area of 19th and Massachusetts in Lawrence.The suspect exited the vehicle and exchanged gunfire with troopers and an officer from a local agency. The suspect, a white male, was shot and died at the scene, according to the KHP.&nbsp; &nbsp;Officers were not injured. A female passenger in the vehicle was also taken into custody.As is standard practice, the trooper has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation continues. The Johnson County Sheriff's office is in charge of the investigation.&nbsp; The name of the suspect has not been release.

Update: Man killed by Kansas officers wanted in Nebraska killing

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man has died in an early morning house fire in suburban Kansas City, authorities there said.

Grandview firefighters were called to the blaze around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, police said. In the course of extinguishing the fire, crews found a man dead inside the home on the southeastern side of Grandview.

Authorities have not released the identity of the man, but say he was in his 70s. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Grandview is about 15 miles south of Kansas City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592321407005.png" alt="Police tape at the scene of the Tuesday morning house fire photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police tape at the scene of the Tuesday morning house fire photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man has died in an early morning house fire in suburban Kansas City, authorities there said.Grandview firefighters were called to the blaze around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, police said. In the course of extinguishing the fire, crews found a man dead inside the home on the southeastern side of Grandview.Authorities have not released the identity of the man, but say he was in his 70s. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.Grandview is about 15 miles south of Kansas City.

Police: Man killed in Kansas City-area house fire

Editor's note: An earlier version of this article included irrelevant information about the victim. The Post News Network apologizes for the oversight.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide and searching for two persons of interest.

&nbsp;Just after 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, police responded to the 600 block of East 3rd street in Coffeyville for a shooting, according to a media release.

At the scene, officers located a gunshot victim identified as Otis Horner, 38, of Coffeyville.

EMS transported Horner&nbsp; a local. hospital and he was later pronounced deceased.

Two persons of interest are being sought for questioning, Ethan Bellamy, 21, and Jonathan Hall, 22, both of Coffeyville.

Police reported no additional details early Tuesday.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this article included irrelevant information about the victim. The Post News Network apologizes for the oversight.MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide and searching for two persons of interest.&nbsp;Just after 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, police responded to the 600 block of East 3rd street in Coffeyville for a shooting, according to a media release.At the scene, officers located a gunshot victim identified as Otis Horner, 38, of Coffeyville.EMS transported Horner&nbsp; a local. hospital and he was later pronounced deceased.Two persons of interest are being sought for questioning, Ethan Bellamy, 21, and Jonathan Hall, 22, both of Coffeyville.Police reported no additional details early Tuesday.

Police continue search for suspects in shooting death of Kan. man

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Executive Committee of the Office of Recovery Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce held a virtual meeting Monday.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y_2HcAPnck">Click here</a> to watch a replay of the meeting.

Members considered an overview of the budget for the Office of Recovery, reviewed an initial budget proposal for approval and discussed&nbsp; Kansas state agency expenses for COVID-19, according to their published agenda.

The committee also considered reimbursement proposals for approval and a timeline for the Round 1 disbursement and Round 2 proposal development. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592272743814.png" alt="Governor's Kelly's&nbsp;SPARK Taskforce Executive Committee met on Zoom Monday" />
 <figcaption>Governor's Kelly's&nbsp;SPARK Taskforce Executive Committee met on Zoom Monday</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Executive Committee of the Office of Recovery Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce held a virtual meeting Monday.<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y_2HcAPnck">Click here</a> to watch a replay of the meeting.Members considered an overview of the budget for the Office of Recovery, reviewed an initial budget proposal for approval and discussed&nbsp; Kansas state agency expenses for COVID-19, according to their published agenda.The committee also considered reimbursement proposals for approval and a timeline for the Round 1 disbursement and Round 2 proposal development.