TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A trial has been delayed for the second time for the suspect in the shooting death of a former Washburn University football player and the wounding of another player who went on to play for the New York Giants. 

Francisco A. “Franky” Mendez, 19, was scheduled to be tried Oct. 26 in the April 2019 death of Dwane Simmons and the wounding of Corey Ballentine. 

Shawnee County District Judge Cheryl Rios granted Mendez a continuance in the case while scheduling a status conference to take place Nov. 12. Mendez was charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder after the April 28 shooting in Topeka.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1563037412059.png" alt="Francisco Mendez" />
 <figcaption>Francisco Mendez</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A trial has been delayed for the second time for the suspect in the shooting death of a former Washburn University football player and the wounding of another player who went on to play for the New York Giants. Francisco A. “Franky” Mendez, 19, was scheduled to be tried Oct. 26 in the April 2019 death of Dwane Simmons and the wounding of Corey Ballentine. Shawnee County District Judge Cheryl Rios granted Mendez a continuance in the case while scheduling a status conference to take place Nov. 12. Mendez was charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder after the April 28 shooting in Topeka.&nbsp;

Trial delayed again for suspect in death of Washburn player

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A commissioner for the most populous county in Kansas urged constituents to buy firearms and prepare for a “coming war" in a Facebook post that described a chaotic end to law and order.

Mike Brown, a white member of the Johnson County commission in suburban Kansas City, used the hashtags “All Lives Matter” and “Blue Lives Matter” as he described violence, “burning churches" and “looting stores” in the weekend post.

“I hear the war drum off in the distance from a not far away place foreshadowing in whispers the haunting cadence of the coming war," he wrote, urging people to “buy a firearm and ammunition and take a class now to learn how to safely use it to defend yourself and your property, know what's happening around you at all times."

The post is no longer public, but Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, a Democrat who is Black,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1305490703749984259">retweeted</a>&nbsp;images of it Monday and described the message as “racist” and “reckless.”

Johnson County commission chairman Ed Eilert noted that Brown was up for election in November.

“The voters in his district do have a decision to make," he said in an interview Tuesday with The Associated Press. “We want our community safe. We want law enforcement to operate in a safe environment. The feedback I read and I hear is people looked at that post and saw indications that there was a violent note to it. We understand free speech and Second Amendment rights, but it left the opportunity for many, many people to come away with the idea that it promoted violence.”

Brown's commentary comes after President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9dd40f7bd6f261291b17542f2620b782">said&nbsp;</a>while laying out his case for reelection that a Joe Biden presidency would “give free rein to violent anarchists,” a contention that Biden has disputed.

Brown, a Republican, wrote the post following the shooting of two&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2619c68d20a5c578239fa4ac196ed14c">sheriff’s deputies in California.&nbsp;</a><a>He</a>&nbsp;didn't respond to phone or email messages from The Associated Press. But he said in an email to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article245719970.html">The Kansas City Star&nbsp;</a>that he is “only speaking out against violence and calling on other electeds, community leaders and citizens to do the same.”

During his term, Brown has come under fire multiple times for his Facebook posts, including in March when he wrote that the COVID-19 pandemic is a “political stunt” and told constituents to “get a grip.” In recent months, Brown has sparred with other commissioners and public health officials over COVID-19 restrictions and the mask mandate, The Star reported. The county stressed in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jocogov.org/article/2020/09/15/14695">statement&nbsp;</a>Tuesday that that the mask order remains in effect.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600251199298.png" alt="Mike Brown" />
 <figcaption>Mike Brown</figcaption>
 </figure>OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A commissioner for the most populous county in Kansas urged constituents to buy firearms and prepare for a “coming war" in a Facebook post that described a chaotic end to law and order.Mike Brown, a white member of the Johnson County commission in suburban Kansas City, used the hashtags “All Lives Matter” and “Blue Lives Matter” as he described violence, “burning churches" and “looting stores” in the weekend post.“I hear the war drum off in the distance from a not far away place foreshadowing in whispers the haunting cadence of the coming war," he wrote, urging people to “buy a firearm and ammunition and take a class now to learn how to safely use it to defend yourself and your property, know what's happening around you at all times."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">At a time when heated rhetoric rarely surprises me, I have to admit shock in seeing something like this from a local elected. Gross distortions; encouraging constituents to prepare for armed war w/political opponents? This is reckless. This is racist. This is wrong. Just stop. <a href="https://t.co/Zc50URHgEW">https://t.co/Zc50URHgEW</a>&mdash; Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1305490703749984259?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The post is no longer public, but Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, a Democrat who is Black,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1305490703749984259">retweeted</a>&nbsp;images of it Monday and described the message as “racist” and “reckless.”Johnson County commission chairman Ed Eilert noted that Brown was up for election in November.“The voters in his district do have a decision to make," he said in an interview Tuesday with The Associated Press. “We want our community safe. We want law enforcement to operate in a safe environment. The feedback I read and I hear is people looked at that post and saw indications that there was a violent note to it. We understand free speech and Second Amendment rights, but it left the opportunity for many, many people to come away with the idea that it promoted violence.”Brown's commentary comes after President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9dd40f7bd6f261291b17542f2620b782">said&nbsp;</a>while laying out his case for reelection that a Joe Biden presidency would “give free rein to violent anarchists,” a contention that Biden has disputed.Brown, a Republican, wrote the post following the shooting of two&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2619c68d20a5c578239fa4ac196ed14c">sheriff’s deputies in California.&nbsp;</a><a>He</a>&nbsp;didn't respond to phone or email messages from The Associated Press. But he said in an email to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article245719970.html">The Kansas City Star&nbsp;</a>that he is “only speaking out against violence and calling on other electeds, community leaders and citizens to do the same.”During his term, Brown has come under fire multiple times for his Facebook posts, including in March when he wrote that the COVID-19 pandemic is a “political stunt” and told constituents to “get a grip.” In recent months, Brown has sparred with other commissioners and public health officials over COVID-19 restrictions and the mask mandate, The Star reported. The county stressed in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jocogov.org/article/2020/09/15/14695">statement&nbsp;</a>Tuesday that that the mask order remains in effect.

Suburban Kansas City commissioner warns of ‘coming war’

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that left one man dead and two injured.

Just before 9a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a shooting call in the 1100 block of North Ash in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Upon arrival, officers contacted a man who had been shot.&nbsp; He was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.&nbsp; Two other men involved in the incident also arrived at the hospital who had been shot.

Investigators are working to determine the details of what occurred. Police released no additional details late Tuesday.

This is the third fatal shooting in Wichita in four days. A 17-year-old and a 22-year-old died in separate shootings over the weekend.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600181821911.png" alt="Police on the scene of the Tuesday morning shooting investigation photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the Tuesday morning shooting investigation photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that left one man dead and two injured.Just before 9a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a shooting call in the 1100 block of North Ash in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.Upon arrival, officers contacted a man who had been shot.&nbsp; He was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.&nbsp; Two other men involved in the incident also arrived at the hospital who had been shot.Investigators are working to determine the details of what occurred. Police released no additional details late Tuesday.This is the third fatal shooting in Wichita in four days. A 17-year-old and a 22-year-old died in separate shootings over the weekend.&nbsp;

Wichita police investigate 3rd fatal shooting in 4 days

FORT SCOTT, Kan. (AP) — Authorities have found a body in a Kansas lake while searching for a missing kayaker.

Emergency crews began looking Sunday in Lake Fort Scott for 19-year-old Raymond Harper, of Fort Scott, after his friends recovered his kayak but couldn’t find him.

A helicopter and divers were called in to help before a body that is believed to be Harper’s was found Monday afternoon, the Fort Scott Police Department said in a news release.

FORT SCOTT, Kan. (AP) — Authorities have found a body in a Kansas lake while searching for a missing kayaker.Emergency crews began looking Sunday in Lake Fort Scott for 19-year-old Raymond Harper, of Fort Scott, after his friends recovered his kayak but couldn’t find him.A helicopter and divers were called in to help before a body that is believed to be Harper’s was found Monday afternoon, the Fort Scott Police Department said in a news release.

Body found in Kansas lake after kayaker went missing

A Kansas National Guard battery has been recognized as the best in the nation.

The Kansas National Guard's Battery C, 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery Regiment, Newton, received the Alexander Hamilton Award for 2019 during a ceremony at the National Guard armory in Newton on Saturday. 

This annual award recognizes the most outstanding National Guard field artillery unit in the country. The award recognizes the outstanding Air Defense Artillery and Field Artillery, Reserve Component, U.S. Army National Guard battery of the year for exceptional achievement, superior mission accomplishment and overall unit excellence.

Col. Paul Schneider, 130th FAB commander, congratulated the unit's efforts.

"This has been an outstanding past couple of years," Schneider said. "It's great to see the hard work pay off and be recognized as the 2020 Hamilton Award winner."

Units considered for the award are reviewed on physical readiness, safety, soldier care, unit strength, weapons qualification and other readiness and training achievements. The Hamilton award is named after Continental Army artilleryman Maj. Gen. Alexander Hamilton, who was known for his military leadership, appointed as aide-de-camp to Gen. George Washington and helped frame the U.S. Constitution.

Capt. Joseph Kinsey, battery commander; 1st Sgt. Wesley Poell, battery first sergeant; and Sgt. 1st Class Brian McKinney, readiness noncommissioned officer and rear detachment commander, formed the leadership team.

"Winning this award was a team effort," said Kinsey. "It couldn't have worked if we didn't have teamwork within the organization."

The unit also achieved numerous readiness milestones including the completion of Table XVIII gunnery qualification while overseas; meeting 119 percent of their reenlistment mission; 100 percent Army Physical Fitness Test take rate; 88 percent APFT pass rate; and 100 percent qualification on personal weapons.

Battery C's rear detachment, led by McKinney, supported civil authorities during multiple periods of state active duty through wildland firefighting efforts as well as providing stranded motorist assistance response teams during winter inclement weather.

"The future of the profession is strong in Kansas with field artillery men and women like this in our ranks," said Schneider.

Battery C is a subordinate unit of the 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery, Hutchinson. The battalion also has units located in Abilene, Dodge City, and Garden City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600220103368.jpeg" alt="Members of the&nbsp;Kansas National Guard's Battery C, 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery Regiment attach an award streamer to their guidon during the award ceremony Saturday. Photos courtesy Kansas National Guard" />
 <figcaption>Members of the&nbsp;Kansas National Guard's Battery C, 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery Regiment attach an award streamer to their guidon during the award ceremony Saturday. Photos courtesy Kansas National Guard</figcaption>
 </figure>A Kansas National Guard battery has been recognized as the best in the nation.The Kansas National Guard's Battery C, 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery Regiment, Newton, received the Alexander Hamilton Award for 2019 during a ceremony at the National Guard armory in Newton on Saturday. This annual award recognizes the most outstanding National Guard field artillery unit in the country. The award recognizes the outstanding Air Defense Artillery and Field Artillery, Reserve Component, U.S. Army National Guard battery of the year for exceptional achievement, superior mission accomplishment and overall unit excellence.Col. Paul Schneider, 130th FAB commander, congratulated the unit's efforts."This has been an outstanding past couple of years," Schneider said. "It's great to see the hard work pay off and be recognized as the 2020 Hamilton Award winner."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600220398513.jpeg" alt="Members of the&nbsp;Kansas National Guard's Battery C, 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery Regiment participate in the awards ceremony Saturday." />
 <figcaption>Members of the&nbsp;Kansas National Guard's Battery C, 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery Regiment participate in the awards ceremony Saturday.</figcaption>
 </figure>Units considered for the award are reviewed on physical readiness, safety, soldier care, unit strength, weapons qualification and other readiness and training achievements. The Hamilton award is named after Continental Army artilleryman Maj. Gen. Alexander Hamilton, who was known for his military leadership, appointed as aide-de-camp to Gen. George Washington and helped frame the U.S. Constitution.Capt. Joseph Kinsey, battery commander; 1st Sgt. Wesley Poell, battery first sergeant; and Sgt. 1st Class Brian McKinney, readiness noncommissioned officer and rear detachment commander, formed the leadership team."Winning this award was a team effort," said Kinsey. "It couldn't have worked if we didn't have teamwork within the organization."The unit also achieved numerous readiness milestones including the completion of Table XVIII gunnery qualification while overseas; meeting 119 percent of their reenlistment mission; 100 percent Army Physical Fitness Test take rate; 88 percent APFT pass rate; and 100 percent qualification on personal weapons.Battery C's rear detachment, led by McKinney, supported civil authorities during multiple periods of state active duty through wildland firefighting efforts as well as providing stranded motorist assistance response teams during winter inclement weather."The future of the profession is strong in Kansas with field artillery men and women like this in our ranks," said Schneider.Battery C is a subordinate unit of the 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery, Hutchinson. The battalion also has units located in Abilene, Dodge City, and Garden City.

Kansas National Guard battery recognized as best in nation

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — State agency records of a 3-year-old girl whose body was found this summer in a shallow grave should not be released to the public, a Wyandotte County judge ruled Tuesday.

Olivia Jansen’s body was found in a shallow grave on July 10, the same day her father, Howard Jansen III, reported her missing. He and his girlfriend, Jacqulyn Kirkpatrick, have been charged with felony murder and other crimes in her death.

Several media outlets filed requests for records from the Department for Children and Family Services to determine the extent of the agency’s contact with the family. Officials have released a summary.

Attorneys for the Wyandotte County District Attorney and the two suspects in Olivia’s death argued that releasing the 533 pages of records would hinder the ongoing investigation and the defendants’ right to a fair trial.

The judge granted a motion to prohibit the release of agency records relating to the girl.

Elisabeth Jansen, Olivia’s step-grandmother, told the Star Tuesday that she was disappointed, but not surprised, by the ruling.

“I want to know what she went through,” she said, adding that she wanted “some type of justice, even though nothing will make up for what we’ve lost.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594468009097.png" alt="Howard Jansen" />
 <figcaption>Howard Jansen</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — State agency records of a 3-year-old girl whose body was found this summer in a shallow grave should not be released to the public, a Wyandotte County judge ruled Tuesday.Olivia Jansen’s body was found in a shallow grave on July 10, the same day her father, Howard Jansen III, reported her missing. He and his girlfriend, Jacqulyn Kirkpatrick, have been charged with felony murder and other crimes in her death.Several media outlets filed requests for records from the Department for Children and Family Services to determine the extent of the agency’s contact with the family. Officials have released a summary.Attorneys for the Wyandotte County District Attorney and the two suspects in Olivia’s death argued that releasing the 533 pages of records would hinder the ongoing investigation and the defendants’ right to a fair trial.The judge granted a motion to prohibit the release of agency records relating to the girl.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594403105823.png" alt="Olivia Jansen-photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Olivia Jansen-photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>Elisabeth Jansen, Olivia’s step-grandmother, told the Star Tuesday that she was disappointed, but not surprised, by the ruling.“I want to know what she went through,” she said, adding that she wanted “some type of justice, even though nothing will make up for what we’ve lost.”

Judge blocks release of agency records for slain Kansas girl

PAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a case of alleged animal cruelty.

&nbsp;Trapper Larson, 20 of Larned, appeared in custody Tuesday&nbsp; in Pawnee County Court on multiple cases, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

He was charged with one count of Cruelty to Animals done with malicious intent. He broke the spine of kitten by stepping on and kicking it, according to McNett. This is alleged to have occurred on or about September 9, 2020.

As used in the Kansas Cruelty to Animal statute, “maliciously” is defined as a state of mind characterized by actual evil-mindedness or a specific intent to do a harmful act without a reasonable justification or excuse, according to McNett.

If convicted, he would be subject to a sentence of not less than 30 days or more than one year's imprisonment and be fined not less than $500 nor more than $5,000. The law also requires a psychological evaluation be prepared for the court and the defendant complete an anger management program.

In an unrelated matter, Larson is also charged with Battery. This is alleged to have occurred on September 12.

He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on September 28. Larson remains in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff, according to McNett.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600200485050.png" alt="Larson-photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Larson-photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a case of alleged animal cruelty.&nbsp;Trapper Larson, 20 of Larned, appeared in custody Tuesday&nbsp; in Pawnee County Court on multiple cases, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.He was charged with one count of Cruelty to Animals done with malicious intent. He broke the spine of kitten by stepping on and kicking it, according to McNett. This is alleged to have occurred on or about September 9, 2020.As used in the Kansas Cruelty to Animal statute, “maliciously” is defined as a state of mind characterized by actual evil-mindedness or a specific intent to do a harmful act without a reasonable justification or excuse, according to McNett.If convicted, he would be subject to a sentence of not less than 30 days or more than one year's imprisonment and be fined not less than $500 nor more than $5,000. The law also requires a psychological evaluation be prepared for the court and the defendant complete an anger management program.In an unrelated matter, Larson is also charged with Battery. This is alleged to have occurred on September 12.He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on September 28. Larson remains in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff, according to McNett.

Kan. man charged after allegedly breaking kitten's spine

By NOMIN UJIYEDIIN, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-09-14/leavenworth-leads-federal-prisons-in-covid-19-cases-and-inmates-families-are-worried">Kansas News Service</a>

LAWRENCE — For months, the U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth avoided the worst of the coronavirus pandemic. But that’s changed.

Leavenworth has the highest number of <a href="https://www.bop.gov/coronavirus/" target="_blank">COVID-19 cases in the entire federal prison system</a>, with 206 inmates and five staff members with the virus. There are currently 1,594 people incarcerated at the prison.

Family
 members of Leavenworth inmates say that, like in other federal and 
state prisons, their loved ones are living in close quarters with other 
inmates and prison employees, not all of whom wear masks. The families 
allege medical staff can be inattentive and that inmates have no choice 
but to congregate closely around phones and showers because of the 
months-long restrictions on leaving their dorms or cells.

Amanda Karch is even worried about her boyfriend’s mental health.

“He says he’s depressed. He’s anxious,” she said. “He’s just unsure. He doesn’t know what’s going to happen.”

The
 federal Bureau of Prisons declined multiple requests for interviews, 
but emailed a statement in response to questions. The agency said it 
follows the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 and provides appropriate treatment for COVID-19.

“For safety, 
security, and privacy reasons, we do not discuss the conditions of 
confinement for any individual or group of inmates,” spokesman Scott 
Walker said in an email. “Additionally, for privacy reasons, we do not 
share personal information about staff.”

An inmate at Leavenworth 
tested positive for COVID-19 on Sept. 1, Walker said. Previously, only 
five inmates had tested positive. As of Monday, eight inmates and five 
staff members had recovered, and no one has died.

“Per CDC 
guidance, a contact tracing investigation is conducted for each positive
 case,” Walker said. “While in general population, any inmate displaying
 symptoms for COVID-19 will be tested and placed in isolation.”

Most inmates who test positive are asymptomatic, Walker said, while inmates with severe symptoms are sent to the hospital.

The
 Leavenworth federal prison is in the same county as the Lansing 
Correctional Facility, a state prison that saw about half of its 
population come down with COVID-19 earlier this year. Overall, five 
inmates in Kansas-run prisons <a href="https://www.doc.ks.gov/kdoc-coronavirus-updates/kdoc-covid-19-status" target="_blank">have died</a> from the virus, as well as three <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-05-14/kansas-prison-workers-want-more-covid-19-protection-after-2-guards-and-3-inmates-die" target="_blank">staff members</a>.

Randy
 Dyke, who is incarcerated at the Leavenworth federal prison, said not 
all staff members or inmates follow the rules when it comes to wearing 
masks. Family members of other inmates backed that up.

“We do wear
 masks, except in the dorms. As for the staff, most do wear masks. 
However, we have some who totally refuse to do so, putting us all at 
risk,” said Dyke, who is serving a sentence in the minimum-security 
satellite camp at Leavenworth. He spoke to the Kansas News Service 
through email.

Walker did not answer a question about whether 
there are staff members at Leavenworth who do not wear masks, but said 
that “all staff and inmates have been issued facial coverings and are 
required to wear them when social distancing is not available per CDC 
guidelines.”

Laundry machines at the prison don’t have water hot 
enough to wash the cloth masks issued by the prison, Dyke said. Many 
people wash their masks by hand, and don’t have access to bleach to 
sanitize them. He said the prison first gave out disposable masks, then 
gave three cloth masks to inmates and replaced those two months later.

“Most
 of the wash machines here are hooked up to cold water and are worn out 
and do not function correctly,” Dyke said, “so the clothes are not 
getting as clean as they should.”

Walker responded in his email 
that inmates regularly receive replacement masks and that prison laundry
 facilities use enough bleach, detergent and hot water to wash clothing 
adequately.

Since 
March, inmates across the federal prison system have had their movement 
restricted to prevent the spread of the virus. Social distancing in 
prison is basically impossible, Dyke said.

In the dorms at the 
minimum-security camp, Dyke said, some people sleep in bunks less than 
four feet apart. He shares a dorm with about 25 other men.

“It is just overcrowded here,” he said.

Before
 the full lockdown began in early September, inmates in the 
medium-security section of the prison couldn’t leave their cells except 
for one to two hours a day, according to family members of inmates.

Karch,
 whose boyfriend is in the medium-security unit, said he sometimes had 
to choose between showering and making a phone call, because the lines 
were so long.

Another woman whose husband also is in the 
medium-security unit said the long lines resulted in dozens of inmates 
standing too close to allow for proper social distancing. She spoke with
 the Kansas News Service on the condition of anonymity because she was 
afraid prison staff would retaliate against her husband.

“When it 
was time to use the phones, my husband said they were packed in there 
like sardines,” she said. “Basically shoulder to shoulder.”

Her 
husband, who is nearly 70, rarely seeks medical care because the prison 
doesn’t provide treatment for illnesses. She said inmates are instead 
told to buy over-the-counter medication from the prison commissary.

The conditions make the inmates uneasy about their physical health and safety during the pandemic, the woman said.

“These guys don’t know if they could wake up tomorrow and be really sick,” she said.

Since
 cases began to rise in the past two weeks, the woman and other people 
said that the lockdown had been extended to 24 hours a day and that they
 had not been able to contact their family members.

“Recently, the medium-security facility was temporarily secured with no movement occurring,”

The added worry of having a family member in Leavenworth has made the pandemic even more stressful for those on the outside.

Jammie
 Rothchild, Dyke’s daughter, says she worries about her father, who is 
60 years old and at higher risk of dying from COVID-19 due to his age.

“It sucks,” Rothchild said. “Our hands are tied. There’s nothing we can do.”

Nomin
 Ujiyediin reports on criminal justice and social welfare for the Kansas
 News Service. You can email her at nomin@kcur.org and follow
 her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/nominuj" target="_blank">@NominUJ</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600183865325.png" alt="The federal prison in Leavenworth houses about 1,600 inmates in a medium-security facility and minimum-security camp. Nomin Ujiyediin / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>The federal prison in Leavenworth houses about 1,600 inmates in a medium-security facility and minimum-security camp. Nomin Ujiyediin / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOMIN UJIYEDIIN, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-09-14/leavenworth-leads-federal-prisons-in-covid-19-cases-and-inmates-families-are-worried">Kansas News Service</a>LAWRENCE — For months, the U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth avoided the worst of the coronavirus pandemic. But that’s changed.Leavenworth has the highest number of <a href="https://www.bop.gov/coronavirus/" target="_blank">COVID-19 cases in the entire federal prison system</a>, with 206 inmates and five staff members with the virus. There are currently 1,594 people incarcerated at the prison.Family
 members of Leavenworth inmates say that, like in other federal and 
state prisons, their loved ones are living in close quarters with other 
inmates and prison employees, not all of whom wear masks. The families 
allege medical staff can be inattentive and that inmates have no choice 
but to congregate closely around phones and showers because of the 
months-long restrictions on leaving their dorms or cells.Amanda Karch is even worried about her boyfriend’s mental health.“He says he’s depressed. He’s anxious,” she said. “He’s just unsure. He doesn’t know what’s going to happen.”The
 federal Bureau of Prisons declined multiple requests for interviews, 
but emailed a statement in response to questions. The agency said it 
follows the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 and provides appropriate treatment for COVID-19.“For safety, 
security, and privacy reasons, we do not discuss the conditions of 
confinement for any individual or group of inmates,” spokesman Scott 
Walker said in an email. “Additionally, for privacy reasons, we do not 
share personal information about staff.”An inmate at Leavenworth 
tested positive for COVID-19 on Sept. 1, Walker said. Previously, only 
five inmates had tested positive. As of Monday, eight inmates and five 
staff members had recovered, and no one has died.“Per CDC 
guidance, a contact tracing investigation is conducted for each positive
 case,” Walker said. “While in general population, any inmate displaying
 symptoms for COVID-19 will be tested and placed in isolation.”Most inmates who test positive are asymptomatic, Walker said, while inmates with severe symptoms are sent to the hospital.The
 Leavenworth federal prison is in the same county as the Lansing 
Correctional Facility, a state prison that saw about half of its 
population come down with COVID-19 earlier this year. Overall, five 
inmates in Kansas-run prisons <a href="https://www.doc.ks.gov/kdoc-coronavirus-updates/kdoc-covid-19-status" target="_blank">have died</a> from the virus, as well as three <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-05-14/kansas-prison-workers-want-more-covid-19-protection-after-2-guards-and-3-inmates-die" target="_blank">staff members</a>.<h2>Masks and sanitation</h2>Randy
 Dyke, who is incarcerated at the Leavenworth federal prison, said not 
all staff members or inmates follow the rules when it comes to wearing 
masks. Family members of other inmates backed that up.“We do wear
 masks, except in the dorms. As for the staff, most do wear masks. 
However, we have some who totally refuse to do so, putting us all at 
risk,” said Dyke, who is serving a sentence in the minimum-security 
satellite camp at Leavenworth. He spoke to the Kansas News Service 
through email.Walker did not answer a question about whether 
there are staff members at Leavenworth who do not wear masks, but said 
that “all staff and inmates have been issued facial coverings and are 
required to wear them when social distancing is not available per CDC 
guidelines.”Laundry machines at the prison don’t have water hot 
enough to wash the cloth masks issued by the prison, Dyke said. Many 
people wash their masks by hand, and don’t have access to bleach to 
sanitize them. He said the prison first gave out disposable masks, then 
gave three cloth masks to inmates and replaced those two months later.“Most
 of the wash machines here are hooked up to cold water and are worn out 
and do not function correctly,” Dyke said, “so the clothes are not 
getting as clean as they should.”Walker responded in his email 
that inmates regularly receive replacement masks and that prison laundry
 facilities use enough bleach, detergent and hot water to wash clothing 
adequately.<h2>On lockdown</h2>Since 
March, inmates across the federal prison system have had their movement 
restricted to prevent the spread of the virus. Social distancing in 
prison is basically impossible, Dyke said.In the dorms at the 
minimum-security camp, Dyke said, some people sleep in bunks less than 
four feet apart. He shares a dorm with about 25 other men.“It is just overcrowded here,” he said.Before
 the full lockdown began in early September, inmates in the 
medium-security section of the prison couldn’t leave their cells except 
for one to two hours a day, according to family members of inmates.Karch,
 whose boyfriend is in the medium-security unit, said he sometimes had 
to choose between showering and making a phone call, because the lines 
were so long.Another woman whose husband also is in the 
medium-security unit said the long lines resulted in dozens of inmates 
standing too close to allow for proper social distancing. She spoke with
 the Kansas News Service on the condition of anonymity because she was 
afraid prison staff would retaliate against her husband.“When it 
was time to use the phones, my husband said they were packed in there 
like sardines,” she said. “Basically shoulder to shoulder.”Her 
husband, who is nearly 70, rarely seeks medical care because the prison 
doesn’t provide treatment for illnesses. She said inmates are instead 
told to buy over-the-counter medication from the prison commissary.The conditions make the inmates uneasy about their physical health and safety during the pandemic, the woman said.“These guys don’t know if they could wake up tomorrow and be really sick,” she said.Since
 cases began to rise in the past two weeks, the woman and other people 
said that the lockdown had been extended to 24 hours a day and that they
 had not been able to contact their family members.“Recently, the medium-security facility was temporarily secured with no movement occurring,”Walker confirmed in an email.The added worry of having a family member in Leavenworth has made the pandemic even more stressful for those on the outside.Jammie
 Rothchild, Dyke’s daughter, says she worries about her father, who is 
60 years old and at higher risk of dying from COVID-19 due to his age.“It sucks,” Rothchild said. “Our hands are tied. There’s nothing we can do.”Nomin
 Ujiyediin reports on criminal justice and social welfare for the Kansas
 News Service. You can email her at nomin@kcur.org and follow
 her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/nominuj" target="_blank">@NominUJ</a>.

Leavenworth tops all federal prisons in COVID-19 cases

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — One of six Black Lives Matter street murals in Kansas City has been vandalized, and the artists behind the mural are hoping the vandalism can be incorporated into it as part of the art.

The vandalism to the mural at the intersection of Northwest Briarcliff Parkway and North Mulberry Drive was discovered Monday. The words “Black Lives Matter” painted in large, colorful block letters on the road are now marred by black tire marks and white paint streaked over the words.

The mural is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/548ee0bef614ba260075b3fce870b518">one of six&nbsp;</a>painted across Kansas City streets by local artists and community members. The mural’s lead artist, Harold Smith,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article245735515.html">told&nbsp;</a>the Kansas City Star he hopes the vandalism can be turned into part of the art to make a statement, "the same way Black musicians have channeled their pain to create the blues.” He also suggested the community could respond to the damage with a block party including food, music and dancing as artists add their own interpretations to the vandalism.

Police aren't investigating the incident, department spokesman Sgt. Jake Becchina said, but could if a police report is filed and value of property damage is determined.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600180629871.png" alt="Vandalism to one of the street murals in Kansas City -photo <a href="https://www.kctv5.com/news/local_news/one-of-six-black-lives-matter-mural-vandalized/article_42e73298-f6ff-11ea-af72-db8148fd27c9.html">courtesy KCTV</a>" />
 <figcaption>Vandalism to one of the street murals in Kansas City -photo <a href="https://www.kctv5.com/news/local_news/one-of-six-black-lives-matter-mural-vandalized/article_42e73298-f6ff-11ea-af72-db8148fd27c9.html">courtesy KCTV</a></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — One of six Black Lives Matter street murals in Kansas City has been vandalized, and the artists behind the mural are hoping the vandalism can be incorporated into it as part of the art.The vandalism to the mural at the intersection of Northwest Briarcliff Parkway and North Mulberry Drive was discovered Monday. The words “Black Lives Matter” painted in large, colorful block letters on the road are now marred by black tire marks and white paint streaked over the words.The mural is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/548ee0bef614ba260075b3fce870b518">one of six&nbsp;</a>painted across Kansas City streets by local artists and community members. The mural’s lead artist, Harold Smith,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article245735515.html">told&nbsp;</a>the Kansas City Star he hopes the vandalism can be turned into part of the art to make a statement, "the same way Black musicians have channeled their pain to create the blues.” He also suggested the community could respond to the damage with a block party including food, music and dancing as artists add their own interpretations to the vandalism.Police aren't investigating the incident, department spokesman Sgt. Jake Becchina said, but could if a police report is filed and value of property damage is determined.

Black Lives Matter mural on Kansas City street vandalized

PITTSBURG, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Pittsburg Police Department are conducting a death investigation at a home in Pittsburg.

Just before 7:30p.m. Tuesday, the Pittsburg Police Department received a 911 call from a resident at&nbsp;416 N. Warren Street. in&nbsp;Pittsburg, reporting an unresponsive subject. When officers arrived at the home, they discovered 23-year-old Tylei Messer, a resident of the home deceased inside.&nbsp;

The KBI was asked to assist on Tuesday at approximately 7:40 a.m. Special agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene.

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KSCRIME or the Pittsburg Police Department at 620-231-1700.

An autopsy is scheduled. The investigation is ongoing.

PITTSBURG, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Pittsburg Police Department are conducting a death investigation at a home in Pittsburg.Just before 7:30p.m. Tuesday, the Pittsburg Police Department received a 911 call from a resident at&nbsp;416 N. Warren Street. in&nbsp;Pittsburg, reporting an unresponsive subject. When officers arrived at the home, they discovered 23-year-old Tylei Messer, a resident of the home deceased inside.&nbsp;The KBI was asked to assist on Tuesday at approximately 7:40 a.m. Special agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to the scene.Anyone with information related to this case is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KSCRIME or the Pittsburg Police Department at 620-231-1700.An autopsy is scheduled. The investigation is ongoing.

KBI: 23-year-old found dead in Kansas home

WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday the House will remain in session until lawmakers deliver another round of COVID-19 relief, a move that came as Democrats from swing districts signaled discontent with a standoff that could force them to face voters without delivering more aid.

“We are committed to staying here until we have an agreement, an agreement that meets the needs of the American people,” Pelosi said on CNBC.

Pelosi told her Democratic colleagues on a morning conference call that “we have to stay here until we have a bill.” That’s according to a Democratic aide speaking on condition of anonymity but authorized to quote her remarks.

Pelosi’s comments came as moderate Democrats, many from areas won by President Donald Trump four years ago, signed on to a $1.5 trillion rescue package endorsed by the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of about 50 lawmakers who seek common solutions to issues.

The plan contains many elements of COVID rescue packages devised by both House Democrats and Republicans controlling the Senate, including aid to schools, funding for state and local governments, and renewal of lapsed COVID-related jobless benefits.

The price tag is significantly less than the $2.2 trillion figure cited by Pelosi but it’s also well above an approximately $650 billion Senate GOP plan that failed last week due to Democratic opposition.

Talks between Pelosi and the Trump administration broke down last month and there had been little optimism they would rekindle before Election Day. And last week, Senate Democrats scuttled a scaled-back&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4cb7902f0f3f1d9ad3a9207d01782c6c">GOP coronavirus rescue package</a>.

Pelosi has maintained a hard line in negotiations and has been at odds with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. She orchestrated passage of a $3.4 trillion COVID rescue package back in May, but the effort was immediately dismissed by Senate Republicans and the Trump administration.

Tuesday’s remarks, said Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill, don’t mean that the speaker is adopting a more flexible position. She instead seems to be signaling continued determination to press ahead and won’t adjourn the House without an agreement with the administration.

Success is by no means guaranteed and many people on Capitol Hill remain very skeptical that an agreement between the White House and Democrats is likely before the election.

“My sense is the clock is running out,” said Senate GOP Whip John Thune of South Dakota. “I don’t see any intention or desire on the part of the Democrat leadership at the moment — regardless of what their members are saying — to cooperate and to work together on a solution. I think they feel like they’ve got the issue and they want to try and ride it in November.”

As the leadership talks collapsed, some moderate Democrats have been agitating for greater compromise. Their talks with pragmatic Republicans yielded common ground but the group does not have much of a track record of broadening their efforts and dominating debates.

“This is how Congress is supposed to work,” said Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., a member of the Problem Solvers group, describing a lengthy, bipartisan negotiation that produced a consensus. The group hopes the package illustrates the kinds of compromises that top Democrats and the administration would have to agree to in order to actually get a measure through the warring House and Senate and get signed into law.

“I hope our leadership is paying attention. I hope our leadership is looking hard at what we’re doing,” said Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore. “We consider this the basic tenets of any package that comes out of the House and the Senate and is signed by the president of the United States.”

No. 2 House Democrat Steny Hoyer of Maryland said the moderates had developed “useful ideas, important ideas” but said it did not do enough to address the ongoing needs of helping the economy recover from the COVID-19 crisis.

“We believe that getting to a compromise is absolutely essential,” Hoyer told reporters Tuesday. “Getting to a compromise that does not deal with the problems, however, is not useful, because the longer you delay addressing many of the problems, the greater you weaken both the economy and the response to COVID-19.”

And a set of powerful Democratic committee chairs swung against the moderates’ proposal as well, saying it “leaves too many needs unmet” — a leadership effort that signals that the Problem Solvers bill is going nowhere.

The Problem Solvers measure contains another round of $1,200 direct payments favored by Trump and Democrats but rejected by Senate Republicans in their most recent bill. It contains a liability shield against lawsuits brought against businesses that have reopened their doors that’s favored by Republicans but opposed by Pelosi and trial lawyers.

It also offers a two-month extension of bonus pandemic jobless benefits that splits the difference between the Pelosi-backed extension of the expired $600 weekly benefit that lapsed at the end of July and the $300 benefit favored by Senate Republicans. After two months, the benefit would increase back to $600 but not if that benefit causes a worker to exceed their wages.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday the House will remain in session until lawmakers deliver another round of COVID-19 relief, a move that came as Democrats from swing districts signaled discontent with a standoff that could force them to face voters without delivering more aid.“We are committed to staying here until we have an agreement, an agreement that meets the needs of the American people,” Pelosi said on CNBC.Pelosi told her Democratic colleagues on a morning conference call that “we have to stay here until we have a bill.” That’s according to a Democratic aide speaking on condition of anonymity but authorized to quote her remarks.Pelosi’s comments came as moderate Democrats, many from areas won by President Donald Trump four years ago, signed on to a $1.5 trillion rescue package endorsed by the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, a group of about 50 lawmakers who seek common solutions to issues.The plan contains many elements of COVID rescue packages devised by both House Democrats and Republicans controlling the Senate, including aid to schools, funding for state and local governments, and renewal of lapsed COVID-related jobless benefits.The price tag is significantly less than the $2.2 trillion figure cited by Pelosi but it’s also well above an approximately $650 billion Senate GOP plan that failed last week due to Democratic opposition.Talks between Pelosi and the Trump administration broke down last month and there had been little optimism they would rekindle before Election Day. And last week, Senate Democrats scuttled a scaled-back&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4cb7902f0f3f1d9ad3a9207d01782c6c">GOP coronavirus rescue package</a>.Pelosi has maintained a hard line in negotiations and has been at odds with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. She orchestrated passage of a $3.4 trillion COVID rescue package back in May, but the effort was immediately dismissed by Senate Republicans and the Trump administration.Tuesday’s remarks, said Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill, don’t mean that the speaker is adopting a more flexible position. She instead seems to be signaling continued determination to press ahead and won’t adjourn the House without an agreement with the administration.Success is by no means guaranteed and many people on Capitol Hill remain very skeptical that an agreement between the White House and Democrats is likely before the election.“My sense is the clock is running out,” said Senate GOP Whip John Thune of South Dakota. “I don’t see any intention or desire on the part of the Democrat leadership at the moment — regardless of what their members are saying — to cooperate and to work together on a solution. I think they feel like they’ve got the issue and they want to try and ride it in November.”As the leadership talks collapsed, some moderate Democrats have been agitating for greater compromise. Their talks with pragmatic Republicans yielded common ground but the group does not have much of a track record of broadening their efforts and dominating debates.“This is how Congress is supposed to work,” said Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., a member of the Problem Solvers group, describing a lengthy, bipartisan negotiation that produced a consensus. The group hopes the package illustrates the kinds of compromises that top Democrats and the administration would have to agree to in order to actually get a measure through the warring House and Senate and get signed into law.“I hope our leadership is paying attention. I hope our leadership is looking hard at what we’re doing,” said Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore. “We consider this the basic tenets of any package that comes out of the House and the Senate and is signed by the president of the United States.”No. 2 House Democrat Steny Hoyer of Maryland said the moderates had developed “useful ideas, important ideas” but said it did not do enough to address the ongoing needs of helping the economy recover from the COVID-19 crisis.“We believe that getting to a compromise is absolutely essential,” Hoyer told reporters Tuesday. “Getting to a compromise that does not deal with the problems, however, is not useful, because the longer you delay addressing many of the problems, the greater you weaken both the economy and the response to COVID-19.”And a set of powerful Democratic committee chairs swung against the moderates’ proposal as well, saying it “leaves too many needs unmet” — a leadership effort that signals that the Problem Solvers bill is going nowhere.The Problem Solvers measure contains another round of $1,200 direct payments favored by Trump and Democrats but rejected by Senate Republicans in their most recent bill. It contains a liability shield against lawsuits brought against businesses that have reopened their doors that’s favored by Republicans but opposed by Pelosi and trial lawyers.It also offers a two-month extension of bonus pandemic jobless benefits that splits the difference between the Pelosi-backed extension of the expired $600 weekly benefit that lapsed at the end of July and the $300 benefit favored by Senate Republicans. After two months, the benefit would increase back to $600 but not if that benefit causes a worker to exceed their wages.

Pelosi: House will stay in session until new deal on virus relief

BEIJING (AP) — The U.S. on Tuesday issued a sweeping new advisory warning against travel to mainland China and Hong Kong, citing the risk of “arbitrary detention” and “arbitrary enforcement of local laws.”

The advisory is likely to heighten tensions between the sides that have spiked since Beijing’s imposition on Hong Kong of a strict new national security law in June that has already been met with a series of U.S. punitive actions.

The statement warned U.S. citizens that China imposes “arbitrary detention and exit bans” to compel cooperation with investigations, pressure family members to return to China from abroad, influence civil disputes and “gain bargaining leverage over foreign governments.”

“U.S. citizens traveling or residing in China or Hong Kong, may be detained without access to U.S. consular services or information about their alleged crime. U.S. citizens may be subjected to prolonged interrogations and extended detention without due process of law,” the advisory said.

In Hong Kong, China “unilaterally and arbitrarily exercises police and security power,” the advisory said, adding that new legislation also covers offenses committed by non-Hong Kong residents or organizations outside of Hong Kong, possibly subjecting U.S. citizens who have publicly criticized China to a “heightened risk of arrest, detention, expulsion, or prosecution.”

When in Hong Kong, U.S. citizens are “strongly cautioned to be aware of their surroundings and avoid demonstrations,” the advisory said.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters at a daily briefing Tuesday that the U.S. should “fully respect the facts and should not engage in unwarranted political manipulation” when issuing such advisories.

“China has always protected the safety and legal rights of foreigners in China in accordance with law. China is one of the safest countries in the world,” Wang said. “Of course, foreigners in China also have an obligation to abide by Chinese laws.”

Last month, the Trump administration suspended or terminated three bilateral agreements with Hong Kong covering extradition and tax exemptions, citing Beijing’s violation of its pledge for Hong Kong to retain broad autonomy for 50 years after the former British colony’s 1997 handover to Chinese rule.

Other Western nations have also suspended their extradition treaties with Hong Kong following the national security’s law’s passage.

The U.S. has also acted to end special trade and commercial privileges that Hong Kong had enjoyed and has imposed sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese officials, including Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam, involved in enforcing the new security law.

Tensions between Beijing and Washington have hit their lowest point in decades amid simmering disputes over trade, technology, Taiwan, Tibet, the South China Sea, the coronavirus pandemic and, most recently, Hong Kong. The impact of the tensions has been felt in the tit-for-tat closures of diplomatic missions as well as visa restrictions on students and journalists.

The latest travel advisory did not offer any new warnings regarding COVID-19 in mainland China and Hong Kong, but referred travelers to earlier notices advising Americans to avoid the regions and return home from them if possible.

President Donald Trump has assigned full blame to Beijing for the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S., deflecting criticism of his own handling of the pandemic that threatens his reelection.

The virus was first detected in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, leading to the global pandemic. Critics have accused Beijing of an initial cover-up attempt, although Trump himself has admitted to downplaying the severity of the virus as early as February.

China appears to have contained the virus within its borders, reporting no new cases of domestic infection in a month, while Hong Kong has also radically brought down its numbers of new cases.

BEIJING (AP) — The U.S. on Tuesday issued a sweeping new advisory warning against travel to mainland China and Hong Kong, citing the risk of “arbitrary detention” and “arbitrary enforcement of local laws.”The advisory is likely to heighten tensions between the sides that have spiked since Beijing’s imposition on Hong Kong of a strict new national security law in June that has already been met with a series of U.S. punitive actions.The statement warned U.S. citizens that China imposes “arbitrary detention and exit bans” to compel cooperation with investigations, pressure family members to return to China from abroad, influence civil disputes and “gain bargaining leverage over foreign governments.”“U.S. citizens traveling or residing in China or Hong Kong, may be detained without access to U.S. consular services or information about their alleged crime. U.S. citizens may be subjected to prolonged interrogations and extended detention without due process of law,” the advisory said.In Hong Kong, China “unilaterally and arbitrarily exercises police and security power,” the advisory said, adding that new legislation also covers offenses committed by non-Hong Kong residents or organizations outside of Hong Kong, possibly subjecting U.S. citizens who have publicly criticized China to a “heightened risk of arrest, detention, expulsion, or prosecution.”When in Hong Kong, U.S. citizens are “strongly cautioned to be aware of their surroundings and avoid demonstrations,” the advisory said.Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters at a daily briefing Tuesday that the U.S. should “fully respect the facts and should not engage in unwarranted political manipulation” when issuing such advisories.“China has always protected the safety and legal rights of foreigners in China in accordance with law. China is one of the safest countries in the world,” Wang said. “Of course, foreigners in China also have an obligation to abide by Chinese laws.”Last month, the Trump administration suspended or terminated three bilateral agreements with Hong Kong covering extradition and tax exemptions, citing Beijing’s violation of its pledge for Hong Kong to retain broad autonomy for 50 years after the former British colony’s 1997 handover to Chinese rule.Other Western nations have also suspended their extradition treaties with Hong Kong following the national security’s law’s passage.The U.S. has also acted to end special trade and commercial privileges that Hong Kong had enjoyed and has imposed sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese officials, including Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam, involved in enforcing the new security law.Tensions between Beijing and Washington have hit their lowest point in decades amid simmering disputes over trade, technology, Taiwan, Tibet, the South China Sea, the coronavirus pandemic and, most recently, Hong Kong. The impact of the tensions has been felt in the tit-for-tat closures of diplomatic missions as well as visa restrictions on students and journalists.The latest travel advisory did not offer any new warnings regarding COVID-19 in mainland China and Hong Kong, but referred travelers to earlier notices advising Americans to avoid the regions and return home from them if possible.President Donald Trump has assigned full blame to Beijing for the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S., deflecting criticism of his own handling of the pandemic that threatens his reelection.The virus was first detected in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year, leading to the global pandemic. Critics have accused Beijing of an initial cover-up attempt, although Trump himself has admitted to downplaying the severity of the virus as early as February.China appears to have contained the virus within its borders, reporting no new cases of domestic infection in a month, while Hong Kong has also radically brought down its numbers of new cases.

US issues sweeping new travel warning for China, Hong Kong

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita teacher who posted on Facebook about her concern over school reopening procedures was wrongly disciplined by the district, The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas says.

The ACLU asked the Wichita school district in a letter to rescind the reprimand.&nbsp;It said it is defending the teacher’s First Amendment rights, calling the district’s move a way of “weaponizing inapplicable policies as a pretext to censor them.”

A school district spokesperson said in an email it respects the teacher’s right to disagree with policies for the reopening of schools, as well as the teacher’s right to publicize those views on their own time in a manner consistent with the district’s policies.

At issue is a video recording the teacher made with her phone of a temperature check before entering the building showing her temperature was 93.9 degrees. The teacher later posted the video to document that the thermometer was not working properly and to express worries that the screening process was deficient.

Another person complained the video violated a policy which requires prior approval to use a concealed camera to record a student or employee.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita teacher who posted on Facebook about her concern over school reopening procedures was wrongly disciplined by the district, The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas says.The ACLU asked the Wichita school district in a letter to rescind the reprimand.&nbsp;It said it is defending the teacher’s First Amendment rights, calling the district’s move a way of “weaponizing inapplicable policies as a pretext to censor them.”A school district spokesperson said in an email it respects the teacher’s right to disagree with policies for the reopening of schools, as well as the teacher’s right to publicize those views on their own time in a manner consistent with the district’s policies.At issue is a video recording the teacher made with her phone of a temperature check before entering the building showing her temperature was 93.9 degrees. The teacher later posted the video to document that the thermometer was not working properly and to express worries that the screening process was deficient.Another person complained the video violated a policy which requires prior approval to use a concealed camera to record a student or employee.

ACLU: School disciplined Kan. teacher over Facebook post

WASHINGTON (AP) —Declaring “the dawn of a new Middle East,” President Donald Trump on Tuesday presided over the signing of historic diplomatic pacts between Israel and two Gulf Arab nations that he hopes will lead to a new order in the Mideast and cast him as a peacemaker at the height of his reelection campaign.

Hundreds of people amassed on the sun-washed South Lawn to witness the signing of agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. The bilateral agreements formalize the normalization of the Jewish state’s already thawing relations with the two Arab nations in line with their common opposition to Iran and its aggression in the region.

“We’re here this afternoon to change the course of history,” Trump said from a balcony overlooking the South Lawn. “After decades of division and conflict, we mark the dawn of a new Middle East.”

The agreements do not address the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While the UAE, Bahrain and other Arab countries support the Palestinians, the Trump administration has persuaded the two countries not to let that conflict keep them from having normal relations with Israel.

Trump’s political backers are looking for the agreements to boost his standing as a statesman with just seven weeks to go before Election Day. Until now, foreign policy has not had a major role in a campaign dominated by the coronavirus, racial issues and the economy. The pandemic was in the backdrop of the White House ceremony, where there was no social distancing and most guests didn’t wear masks.

The agreements won’t end active wars, but supporters believe they could pave the way for a broader Arab-Israeli rapprochement after decades of enmity and only two previous peace deals. Skeptics, including many longtime Mideast analysts and former officials, have expressed doubts about their impact and lamented that they ignore the Palestinians, who have rejected them as a stab in the back by fellow Arabs. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that Israel has only suspended its plans to annex West Bank settlements.

Yet even the harshest critics have allowed that the agreements could usher in a major shift in the region should other Arab nations, particularly Saudi Arabia, follow suit, with implications for Iran, Syria and Lebanon. Other Arab countries believed to be close to recognizing Israel include Oman, Sudan and Morocco.

“We are very down the road with about five different countries,” Trump told reporters before the ceremony.

In addition to the bilateral agreements signed by Israel, the UAE and Bahrain, all three are signing a document dubbed the “Abraham Accords” after the patriarch of the world’s three major monotheistic religions.

“This day is a pivot of history,” Netanyahu said. “It heralds a new dawn of peace.”

“Despite the many challenges and hardships that we all face — despite all that, let us pause a moment to appreciate this remarkable day.”

The Palestinians have not embraced the U.S. vision. Palestinian activists held small demonstrations Tuesday inthe West Bank and in Gaza, where they trampled and set fire to pictures of Trump, Netanyahu and the leaders of the UAE and Bahrain.

A poll released Tuesday found that 86% of Palestinians believe the normalization agreement with the UAE serves only Israel’s interests and not their own. The poll, carried out by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, was carried out Sept. 9-12 and surveyed 1,270 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Even in Israel, where the accords have received widespread acclaim, there is concern they might result in U.S. sales of sophisticated weaponry to the UAE and Bahrain, thus potentially upsetting Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region.

Full Coverage:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/tag/Israel">Israel</a>

“They’re very wealthy countries for the most part ... some are extraordinarily, like UAE,” Trump told “Fox &amp; Friends” in an interview before the ceremony. “And they would like to buy some fighter jets and I personally would have no problem with it.”

Meanwhile, a politically vulnerable Netanyahu is facing questions about appearing at such a large event just days after he announced a new nationwide lockdown to fight a surge in coronavirus cases that will impose severe restrictions on movement and gatherings.

And while the UAE and Bahrain have a history of suppressing dissent and critical public opinion, there have been indications that the agreements are not nearly as popular or well-received as in Israel. Neither country sent its head of state or government to sign the deals with Netanyahu.

Bahrain’s largest Shiite-dominated opposition group, Al-Wefaq, which the government ordered dissolved in 2016 amid a yearslong crackdown on dissent, said there is widespread rejection of normalization. Al-Wefaq said in a statement that it joins other Bahrainis who reject the agreement to normalize ties with the “Zionist entity,” and criticized the government for crushing the public’s ability to express opinions “to obscure the extent of discontent” at normalization.

The ceremony follows months of intricate diplomacy headed by Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, and the president’s envoy for international negotiations, Avi Berkowitz. On Aug. 13, the Israel-UAE deal was announced. That was followed by the first direct commercial flight between the countries, and then the Sept. 11 announcement of the Bahrain-Israel agreement.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is set to preside Tuesday over the signing of historic diplomatic deals between Israel and two Gulf Arab nations that could herald a dramatic shift in Middle East power dynamics and give him a boost ahead of the November U.S. election.

In a White House ceremony aimed at showcasing presidential statesmanship, Trump is hosting more than 700 guests on the South Lawn to witness the sealing of the agreements between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Trump and his allies hope the occasion will burnish Trump’s credentials as a peacemaker at the height of his reelection campaign.

“This can lead to peace, real peace, in the Middle East,” Trump said in the Oval Office as he welcomed Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the brother of Abu Dhabi’s powerful crown prince.

“You can have peace without blood in the sand,” Trump added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Emirati and Bahraini foreign ministers are to ink the deals before the crowd, which will include representatives of supporting nations from the Washington-based diplomatic corps but few other dignitaries from overseas. Some congressional Democrats who have offered muted praise have been invited to attend.

In addition to the individual bilateral agreements signed by Israel, the UAE and Bahrain, all three will sign a trilateral document, officials said. The agreements are dubbed the “Abraham Accords” after the patriarch of the world’s three major monotheistic religions. Trump is expected to sign as a witness.

The agreements won’t end active wars but will rather formalize the normalization of the Jewish state’s already warming relations with the two countries. And, while not addressing the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict, they may pave the way for a broader Arab-Israeli rapprochement after decades of enmity, a pair of wars and only two previous peace deals.

Skeptics, including many longtime Mideast analysts and former officials, have expressed doubts about the impact of the deals and lamented that they ignore the Palestinians, who have rejected them as a stab in the back by fellow Arabs. Netanyahu has insisted that Israel’s plans to annex West Bank settlements is only suspended and remains on the table.

“These agreements are a huge accomplishment for the countries involved and have led to a tremendous sense of hope and optimism in the region,” said Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, who led the negotiations. “Instead of focusing on past conflicts, people are now focused on creating a vibrant future filled with endless possibilities.”

The Palestinians have not embraced Kushner’s vision.

A poll released Tuesday found that 86% of Palestinians believe the normalization agreement with the UAE serves only Israel’s interests and not their own. Fifty-three percent of Palestinians described the agreement as a “betrayal” while 17% said it marked the “abandonment” of their cause.

The poll, carried out by the respected Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, found that 92% of Palestinians are opposed to Trump’s Mideast plan. The poll, carried out Sept. 9-12, surveyed 1,270 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3%.

Palestinian activists held small demonstrations Tuesday in different parts of the West Bank and in Gaza, where they trampled and set fire to pictures of Trump, Netanyahu and the leaders of the UAE and Bahrain.

Trump remains undeterred, telling “Fox &amp; Friends” on Tuesday that the Palestinians are “difficult” to deal with. Eventually, he said, “Palestinians will be brought in because all of their supporters, all of the people that give them lots of money are coming into the deal so otherwise they’ll be left out in the cold.”

Tuesday’s ceremony follows months of intricate diplomacy headed by Kushner and Trump’s envoy for international negotiations, Avi Berkowitz, that first bore fruit Aug. 13 when the Israel-UAE deal was announced. That was followed by the first direct commercial flight between the countries, and then the Sept. 11 announcement of the Bahrain-Israel agreement.

The specific contents of the individual documents to be signed were not known ahead of the ceremony.

The lack of clarity has raised some suspicions about the durability of the agreements.

Even in Israel, where the accords have received widespread acclaim, there is concern that that they might result in U.S. sales of sophisticated weaponry to the UAE and Bahrain, thus potentially upsetting Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region.

“They’re very wealthy countries for the most part ... some are extraordinarily, like UAE,” Trump said. “And they would like to buy some fighter jets and I personally would have no problem with it.”

Meanwhile, a politically vulnerable Netanyahu is facing questions about appearing at such a large event just days after he announced a new nationwide lockdown to fight a surge in coronavirus cases that will impose severe restrictions on movement and gatherings. The White House encouraged those attending Tuesday’s ceremony to wear masks.

Bahrain’s largest Shiite-dominated opposition group, Al-Wefaq, which the government ordered dissolved in 2016 amid a yearslong crackdown on dissent, said there is widespread rejection of normalization.

In the UAE, there has been speculation that Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, widely seen as the country’s day-to-day leader and architect of the Emirati push to improve relations with Israel, is steering clear of the signing ceremony.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600191454620.png" alt="President Donald Trump speaks during the Abraham Accords signing ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, in Washington. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan (R)-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Donald Trump speaks during the Abraham Accords signing ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, in Washington. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan (R)-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Declaring “the dawn of a new Middle East,” President Donald Trump on Tuesday presided over the signing of historic diplomatic pacts between Israel and two Gulf Arab nations that he hopes will lead to a new order in the Mideast and cast him as a peacemaker at the height of his reelection campaign.Hundreds of people amassed on the sun-washed South Lawn to witness the signing of agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. The bilateral agreements formalize the normalization of the Jewish state’s already thawing relations with the two Arab nations in line with their common opposition to Iran and its aggression in the region.“We’re here this afternoon to change the course of history,” Trump said from a balcony overlooking the South Lawn. “After decades of division and conflict, we mark the dawn of a new Middle East.”The agreements do not address the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While the UAE, Bahrain and other Arab countries support the Palestinians, the Trump administration has persuaded the two countries not to let that conflict keep them from having normal relations with Israel.Trump’s political backers are looking for the agreements to boost his standing as a statesman with just seven weeks to go before Election Day. Until now, foreign policy has not had a major role in a campaign dominated by the coronavirus, racial issues and the economy. The pandemic was in the backdrop of the White House ceremony, where there was no social distancing and most guests didn’t wear masks.The agreements won’t end active wars, but supporters believe they could pave the way for a broader Arab-Israeli rapprochement after decades of enmity and only two previous peace deals. Skeptics, including many longtime Mideast analysts and former officials, have expressed doubts about their impact and lamented that they ignore the Palestinians, who have rejected them as a stab in the back by fellow Arabs. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that Israel has only suspended its plans to annex West Bank settlements.Yet even the harshest critics have allowed that the agreements could usher in a major shift in the region should other Arab nations, particularly Saudi Arabia, follow suit, with implications for Iran, Syria and Lebanon. Other Arab countries believed to be close to recognizing Israel include Oman, Sudan and Morocco.“We are very down the road with about five different countries,” Trump told reporters before the ceremony.In addition to the bilateral agreements signed by Israel, the UAE and Bahrain, all three are signing a document dubbed the “Abraham Accords” after the patriarch of the world’s three major monotheistic religions.“This day is a pivot of history,” Netanyahu said. “It heralds a new dawn of peace.”“Despite the many challenges and hardships that we all face — despite all that, let us pause a moment to appreciate this remarkable day.”The Palestinians have not embraced the U.S. vision. Palestinian activists held small demonstrations Tuesday inthe West Bank and in Gaza, where they trampled and set fire to pictures of Trump, Netanyahu and the leaders of the UAE and Bahrain.A poll released Tuesday found that 86% of Palestinians believe the normalization agreement with the UAE serves only Israel’s interests and not their own. The poll, carried out by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, was carried out Sept. 9-12 and surveyed 1,270 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.Even in Israel, where the accords have received widespread acclaim, there is concern they might result in U.S. sales of sophisticated weaponry to the UAE and Bahrain, thus potentially upsetting Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region.Full Coverage:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/tag/Israel">Israel</a>“They’re very wealthy countries for the most part ... some are extraordinarily, like UAE,” Trump told “Fox &amp; Friends” in an interview before the ceremony. “And they would like to buy some fighter jets and I personally would have no problem with it.”Meanwhile, a politically vulnerable Netanyahu is facing questions about appearing at such a large event just days after he announced a new nationwide lockdown to fight a surge in coronavirus cases that will impose severe restrictions on movement and gatherings.And while the UAE and Bahrain have a history of suppressing dissent and critical public opinion, there have been indications that the agreements are not nearly as popular or well-received as in Israel. Neither country sent its head of state or government to sign the deals with Netanyahu.Bahrain’s largest Shiite-dominated opposition group, Al-Wefaq, which the government ordered dissolved in 2016 amid a yearslong crackdown on dissent, said there is widespread rejection of normalization. Al-Wefaq said in a statement that it joins other Bahrainis who reject the agreement to normalize ties with the “Zionist entity,” and criticized the government for crushing the public’s ability to express opinions “to obscure the extent of discontent” at normalization.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600189052525.png" alt="White House dressed up for Tuesday's signing ceremony-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>White House dressed up for Tuesday's signing ceremony-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>The ceremony follows months of intricate diplomacy headed by Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, and the president’s envoy for international negotiations, Avi Berkowitz. On Aug. 13, the Israel-UAE deal was announced. That was followed by the first direct commercial flight between the countries, and then the Sept. 11 announcement of the Bahrain-Israel agreement.___---------WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is set to preside Tuesday over the signing of historic diplomatic deals between Israel and two Gulf Arab nations that could herald a dramatic shift in Middle East power dynamics and give him a boost ahead of the November U.S. election.In a White House ceremony aimed at showcasing presidential statesmanship, Trump is hosting more than 700 guests on the South Lawn to witness the sealing of the agreements between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Trump and his allies hope the occasion will burnish Trump’s credentials as a peacemaker at the height of his reelection campaign.“This can lead to peace, real peace, in the Middle East,” Trump said in the Oval Office as he welcomed Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the brother of Abu Dhabi’s powerful crown prince.“You can have peace without blood in the sand,” Trump added.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Emirati and Bahraini foreign ministers are to ink the deals before the crowd, which will include representatives of supporting nations from the Washington-based diplomatic corps but few other dignitaries from overseas. Some congressional Democrats who have offered muted praise have been invited to attend.In addition to the individual bilateral agreements signed by Israel, the UAE and Bahrain, all three will sign a trilateral document, officials said. The agreements are dubbed the “Abraham Accords” after the patriarch of the world’s three major monotheistic religions. Trump is expected to sign as a witness.The agreements won’t end active wars but will rather formalize the normalization of the Jewish state’s already warming relations with the two countries. And, while not addressing the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict, they may pave the way for a broader Arab-Israeli rapprochement after decades of enmity, a pair of wars and only two previous peace deals.Skeptics, including many longtime Mideast analysts and former officials, have expressed doubts about the impact of the deals and lamented that they ignore the Palestinians, who have rejected them as a stab in the back by fellow Arabs. Netanyahu has insisted that Israel’s plans to annex West Bank settlements is only suspended and remains on the table.Yet even the harshest critics have allowed that the agreements could usher in a major shift in the region should other Arab nations, particularly Saudi Arabia, follow suit, with implications for Iran, Syria and Lebanon. Other Arab countries believed to be close to recognizing Israel include Oman, Sudan and Morocco.“These agreements are a huge accomplishment for the countries involved and have led to a tremendous sense of hope and optimism in the region,” said Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, who led the negotiations. “Instead of focusing on past conflicts, people are now focused on creating a vibrant future filled with endless possibilities.”The Palestinians have not embraced Kushner’s vision.A poll released Tuesday found that 86% of Palestinians believe the normalization agreement with the UAE serves only Israel’s interests and not their own. Fifty-three percent of Palestinians described the agreement as a “betrayal” while 17% said it marked the “abandonment” of their cause.The poll, carried out by the respected Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, found that 92% of Palestinians are opposed to Trump’s Mideast plan. The poll, carried out Sept. 9-12, surveyed 1,270 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3%.Palestinian activists held small demonstrations Tuesday in different parts of the West Bank and in Gaza, where they trampled and set fire to pictures of Trump, Netanyahu and the leaders of the UAE and Bahrain.Trump remains undeterred, telling “Fox &amp; Friends” on Tuesday that the Palestinians are “difficult” to deal with. Eventually, he said, “Palestinians will be brought in because all of their supporters, all of the people that give them lots of money are coming into the deal so otherwise they’ll be left out in the cold.”Tuesday’s ceremony follows months of intricate diplomacy headed by Kushner and Trump’s envoy for international negotiations, Avi Berkowitz, that first bore fruit Aug. 13 when the Israel-UAE deal was announced. That was followed by the first direct commercial flight between the countries, and then the Sept. 11 announcement of the Bahrain-Israel agreement.The specific contents of the individual documents to be signed were not known ahead of the ceremony.The lack of clarity has raised some suspicions about the durability of the agreements.Even in Israel, where the accords have received widespread acclaim, there is concern that that they might result in U.S. sales of sophisticated weaponry to the UAE and Bahrain, thus potentially upsetting Israel’s qualitative military edge in the region.“They’re very wealthy countries for the most part ... some are extraordinarily, like UAE,” Trump said. “And they would like to buy some fighter jets and I personally would have no problem with it.”Meanwhile, a politically vulnerable Netanyahu is facing questions about appearing at such a large event just days after he announced a new nationwide lockdown to fight a surge in coronavirus cases that will impose severe restrictions on movement and gatherings. The White House encouraged those attending Tuesday’s ceremony to wear masks.And while the UAE and Bahrain have a history of suppressing dissent and critical public opinion, there have been indications that the agreements are not nearly as popular or well-received as in Israel. Neither country sent its head of state or government to sign the deals with Netanyahu.Bahrain’s largest Shiite-dominated opposition group, Al-Wefaq, which the government ordered dissolved in 2016 amid a yearslong crackdown on dissent, said there is widespread rejection of normalization.In the UAE, there has been speculation that Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, widely seen as the country’s day-to-day leader and architect of the Emirati push to improve relations with Israel, is steering clear of the signing ceremony.

Trump presides as Israel, 2 Arab states sign historic pacts

WICHITA —Wichita State University’s Advanced Center for Virtual Engineering and Testing will soon have a new name. The building’s renaming is a tribute to Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran’s commitment to provide vital resources and connections that help Wichita State offer impactful student experiences to drive prosperity for the city, region and state, according to a media release from WSU.

The building will renamed the Jerry Moran Center for Advanced Virtual Engineering and Testing, with a dedication ceremony planned this fall.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600181412698.png" alt="Advanced Center for Virtual Engineering and Testing-photo courtesy WSU&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Advanced Center for Virtual Engineering and Testing-photo courtesy WSU&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA —Wichita State University’s Advanced Center for Virtual Engineering and Testing will soon have a new name. The building’s renaming is a tribute to Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran’s commitment to provide vital resources and connections that help Wichita State offer impactful student experiences to drive prosperity for the city, region and state, according to a media release from WSU.The building will renamed the Jerry Moran Center for Advanced Virtual Engineering and Testing, with a dedication ceremony planned this fall.The Jerry Moran Center is a 20,000-square-foot facility on WSU’s Innovation Campus. The building houses Crash Dynamics, Building Block, Virtual Engineering and Flight Test Labs, part of the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR). AVET supports cutting-edge virtual and physical crash dynamics testing capabilities for the aviation and greater transportation industries, while providing Wichita State students with valuable applied learning experiences in an industry-based setting.Through the dedication of the Jerry Moran Center for Advanced Virtual Engineering and Testing, Wichita State recognizes Sen. Moran’s focus on Kansans, the advancement of our nation’s defense and the future learning research.“The Senator’s commitment to strengthen Wichita State and our nation’s defense programs has raised awareness of the technology and talent available at Wichita State and led to new partnerships focused on improving the efficiency of our military fleet,” said John Tomblin, WSU Senior Vice President for Industry and Defense Programs.These technologies include machine learning applications for fleet readiness; next generation high temperature materials for long-range precision fires; and advanced technologies for aircraft sustainment and repair.“By dedicating this building to Jerry Moran, we honor an individual who has been a partner, collaborator and advocate for Wichita State University and embodies our mission to be an education, economic and cultural driver for our region,” said WSU President Jay Golden.Recently AVET collaborated with Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Engineering Directorate in the virtual development and evaluation of various seating concepts to ensure the safety of passengers being transported in Negatively Pressurized Conex (NPC) modules designed to be carried by USAF cargo aircraft. The NPC system enables the safe transport of individuals infected with the COVID-19 virus and other highly infectious diseases.“In a period of four weeks, the AVET team was able to evaluate the dynamic response of various seat designs when subjected to emergency landing conditions,” said Lawrence Rogers, Technical Director, Flight Systems Engineering Division, Engineering Directorate for the U.S. Air Force. “NIAR’s virtual evaluation capability gave us the ability to clearly identify and lower risk to our warfighters. Even if we would’ve had this level of analysis fidelity, Dr. Olivares’ team still saved several months to a year.”