DUBOIS, Neb. (AP) — Authorities in southeastern Nebraska say a Kansas man has died in a crash on a Nebraska highway involving the man's farm tractor and a semitrailer. 

The crash happened Monday on Nebraska Highway 50 south of DuBois, near the Kansas state line. Investigators say 86-year-old Arden Bredemeier, of Sabetha, Kansas, was driving a farm tractor north on the highway when he tried to turn into a private drive and and was hit by a southbound semitrailer. 

The crash closed a stretch of the highway for about two hours. Pawnee County Attorney Jennifer Ladman says no charges are expected in the crash.

DUBOIS, Neb. (AP) — Authorities in southeastern Nebraska say a Kansas man has died in a crash on a Nebraska highway involving the man's farm tractor and a semitrailer. The crash happened Monday on Nebraska Highway 50 south of DuBois, near the Kansas state line. Investigators say 86-year-old Arden Bredemeier, of Sabetha, Kansas, was driving a farm tractor north on the highway when he tried to turn into a private drive and and was hit by a southbound semitrailer. The crash closed a stretch of the highway for about two hours. Pawnee County Attorney Jennifer Ladman says no charges are expected in the crash.

Kansas man driving farm tractor killed in crash with semi

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects after a drug task force bust in Saline County.

Just before 10:30a.m. Wednesday, police executed the first search warrant on a 2008 Buick Lucerne belonging to Lelando Allen, 36, of Salina, according to&nbsp;Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

&nbsp;Officers observed Allen at 305 West Schilling Road in Salina and he was taken into custody and his car searched.

During the search, police found Six grams of marijuana, 28.6 grams of methamphetamine, 25 grams of what is suspected to be black tar heroin, and 109 Oxycontin pills

A search warrant also was executed at Allen's residence at 122 West Kirwin Avenue.&nbsp;Police arrested Allen on requested charges of Possession with intent to distribute heroin, Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, Possession with intent to distribute opiates, Three counts of no drug tax stamp, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana

Police then executed a search warrant for 39-year-old Rhonda Perry's residence at 1208 Wilbre Road and found Methamphetamine residue in a baggie in a purse allegedly belonging to Perry, a container with 52.6 grams of marijuana in a closet of the residence, a baggie with 9.9 grams of methamphetamine in a bedroom of the residence.

Perry was arrested on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia and no drug tax stamp.

The Task Force then executed&nbsp; a search warrant for 42-year-old Gregory Tucker's residence at 210 East Kirwin Avenue. In a basement room officers found a baggie with 251.7 grams of marijuana, a baggie with 68.8 grams of marijuana, a baggie with 45.3 grams of marijuana, a&nbsp;container with 1.7 grams of cocaine, 84 packages of THC wax, Six THC wax cookies

Police arrested Tucker on requested charges that include Distribution of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, Possession of a stimulant, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Felony drug paraphernalia and No tax stamp

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects after a drug task force bust in Saline County.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591884070294.jpeg" alt="Allen photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Allen photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 10:30a.m. Wednesday, police executed the first search warrant on a 2008 Buick Lucerne belonging to Lelando Allen, 36, of Salina, according to&nbsp;Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.&nbsp;Officers observed Allen at 305 West Schilling Road in Salina and he was taken into custody and his car searched.During the search, police found Six grams of marijuana, 28.6 grams of methamphetamine, 25 grams of what is suspected to be black tar heroin, and 109 Oxycontin pillsA search warrant also was executed at Allen's residence at 122 West Kirwin Avenue.&nbsp;Police arrested Allen on requested charges of Possession with intent to distribute heroin, Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, Possession with intent to distribute opiates, Three counts of no drug tax stamp, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of marijuana<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591884181431.jpeg" alt="Perry photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Perry photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Police then executed a search warrant for 39-year-old Rhonda Perry's residence at 1208 Wilbre Road and found Methamphetamine residue in a baggie in a purse allegedly belonging to Perry, a container with 52.6 grams of marijuana in a closet of the residence, a baggie with 9.9 grams of methamphetamine in a bedroom of the residence.Perry was arrested on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia and no drug tax stamp.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591884259170.jpeg" alt="Tucker photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Tucker photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Task Force then executed&nbsp; a search warrant for 42-year-old Gregory Tucker's residence at 210 East Kirwin Avenue. In a basement room officers found a baggie with 251.7 grams of marijuana, a baggie with 68.8 grams of marijuana, a baggie with 45.3 grams of marijuana, a&nbsp;container with 1.7 grams of cocaine, 84 packages of THC wax, Six THC wax cookiesPolice arrested Tucker on requested charges that include Distribution of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, Possession of a stimulant, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Felony drug paraphernalia and No tax stamp

Drug Task Force makes 3 arrests in Saline County

NEW YORK (AP) — States are rolling back lockdowns, but the coronavirus isn’t done with the U.S.

Cases are rising in nearly half the states, according to an Associated Press analysis, a worrying trend that could worsen as people return to work and venture out during the summer.

In Arizona, hospitals have been told to prepare for the worst. Texas has more hospitalized COVID-19 patients than at any time before. And the governor of North Carolina said recent jumps caused him to rethink plans to reopen schools or businesses.

There is no single reason to explain all the surges. In some cases, more testing has revealed more cases. In others, local outbreaks are big enough to push statewide tallies higher. But experts think at least some are due to lifting stay-at-home orders, school and business closures, and other restrictions put in place during the spring to stem the virus’s spread.

“It is a disaster that spreads,” said Dr. Jay Butler, who oversees coronavirus response work at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “It’s not like there’s an entire continental seismic shift and everyone feels the shaking all at once.”

The virus first landed on the U.S. coasts, carried by international travelers infected abroad. For months, the epicenter was in northeastern states. More recently, the biggest increases have been in the South and the West.

The AP analyzed data compiled by The COVID Tracking Project, a volunteer organization that collects coronavirus testing data in the United States. The analysis found that in 21 states as of Monday, the rolling seven-day average of new cases per capita was higher than the average seven days earlier.

Here’s what’s driving increases in some of the states with notable upticks:

&nbsp;Missouri health officials reported 179 in new confirmed coronavirus cases Tuesday as the state continues to see daily triple-digit increases.

The state's COVID-19 death toll increased to 848 on Wednesday, which was 29 more than on Monday.&nbsp;

Republican Gov. Doug Ducey ended Arizona’s stay-at-home order on May 15 and eased restrictions on businesses. Arizona residents who were cooped up for six weeks flooded Phoenix-area bar districts, ignoring social distancing guidelines.

The state began seeing a surge of new cases and hospitalizations about 10 days later.

“It seems pretty clear to me that what we’re seeing is directly related to the end of the stay-at-home order,” said Will Humble, executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association.

It wasn’t just that the order ended: There were no requirements to wear face masks, no major increases in contact tracing to spot and stop evolving outbreaks, and no scale-up of infection control at nursing homes, he said.

“Those are missed opportunities that, if implemented today, could still make a big difference,” said Humble, a former director of the state Department of Health Services.

Testing has been increasing in Arizona, which increases the chance of finding new cases. But the proportion of tests that come back positive has also been on the rise.

The AP analysis found Arizona had a rolling average of fewer than 400 new cases a day at the time the shutdown was lifted, but it shot up two weeks later and surpassed 1,000 new cases a day by early this week. Hospitalizations have also risen dramatically, hitting the 1,200 mark last week.

The state also passed another grim milestone last week, recording it’s 1,000th death.

Meanwhile Arizona hospitals on Tuesday reported they were at 83% of capacity, up from 78% the previous day. That could force affected hospitals to cancel elective surgeries. Rules established under an executive order Ducey issued in April said hospitals wanting to resume elective surgeries had to have at least 20% of their beds available.

In North Carolina, more testing plus more people out and about during reopening seem to be the main drivers of recent case upticks, said Kimberly Powers, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of North Carolina.

On Saturday, the state recorded its highest single-day increase, with 1,370. While testing has grown in the last two weeks, so has the rate of tests coming back positive.

“These trends moving in the wrong direction is a signal we need to take very seriously,” said North Carolina’s top health official, Mandy Cohen, who along with Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has urged the public to take precautions to protect themselves.

But some state residents are not on board.

“I think they should start opening stuff a little bit more,” said Jason Denton, an electrician from Greenville who said one of his main concerns was getting to the gym.

Few states are rebooting faster than Texas, where hospitalizations surged past 2,100 on Wednesday for the first time during the pandemic. That’s a 42% increase in patients since Memorial Day weekend, when restless beachgoers swarmed Texas’ coastline and a water park near Houston opened to big crowds in defiance of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s orders.

Texas’ percentage of tests coming back positive has also jumped to levels that are among the nation’s highest. State officials point to hot spots at meatpacking plants and prisons in rural counties, where thousands of new cases have cropped up, but have not offered explanations for a rise in numbers elsewhere.

Abbott, who has recently begun wearing a mask in public, has shown no intention of pumping the brake on reopening a state where conservative protesters in May pressured him to speed up the timeline on getting hair salons back in business.

On Friday, Texas is set to lift even more restrictions and let restaurant dining rooms reopen at nearly full capacity.

In Alabama, outbreaks in nursing homes and poultry plants helped drive state numbers upward, though there was a drop more recently. But that may change — there is evidence of community transmission in the capital, Montgomery, which has become an emerging hot spot, said State Health Officer Scott Harris.

“I think reopening the economy gave a lot of people the wrong impression … that, ‘Hey everything is fine. Let’s go back to normal,’” Harris said. “Clearly, it is not that way. Really, now more than ever we need people to stay 6 feet apart, wear face coverings and wash their hands.”

Montgomery hospital intensive care units are as busy as during flu season.

“I can assure you that Montgomery’s cases are not going down, and if our community does not take this seriously, the virus will continue to spread, and at some point, our medical capacity will reach its limit,” Dr. David Thrasher, director of respiratory therapy at Jackson Hospital, said in a statement.

Arkansas has also seen increases — in cases, hospitalizations and the percentage of tests that come back positive. But the state’s situation is a complicated story of different outbreaks at different times, said Dr. Nate Smith, director of the Arkansas Department of Health.

After a peak in April, levels were low until spikes began about three weeks ago — mainly in the cities of Rogers and Springdale in the northwest and in De Queen further south. The cases have been concentrated among Hispanics and those who work in chicken production facilities.

The chicken plants never were closed, Smith said. Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Wednesday said the state will move into a new phase of reopening, starting Monday.

Experts are wondering what will happen in the next week or so, in the wake of nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police.

The protests were outdoors, which reduces the likelihood of virus spread, and many participants have worn masks and taken other precautions. But it’s a lot of people close together, chanting, singing and yelling.

“Hopefully we won’t see a big spike. But those data aren’t in yet,” Humble said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591208066312.png" alt="Photo Sedgwick County Health Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sedgwick County Health Department</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — States are rolling back lockdowns, but the coronavirus isn’t done with the U.S.Cases are rising in nearly half the states, according to an Associated Press analysis, a worrying trend that could worsen as people return to work and venture out during the summer.In Arizona, hospitals have been told to prepare for the worst. Texas has more hospitalized COVID-19 patients than at any time before. And the governor of North Carolina said recent jumps caused him to rethink plans to reopen schools or businesses.There is no single reason to explain all the surges. In some cases, more testing has revealed more cases. In others, local outbreaks are big enough to push statewide tallies higher. But experts think at least some are due to lifting stay-at-home orders, school and business closures, and other restrictions put in place during the spring to stem the virus’s spread.The virus is also gradually fanning out.“It is a disaster that spreads,” said Dr. Jay Butler, who oversees coronavirus response work at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “It’s not like there’s an entire continental seismic shift and everyone feels the shaking all at once.”The virus first landed on the U.S. coasts, carried by international travelers infected abroad. For months, the epicenter was in northeastern states. More recently, the biggest increases have been in the South and the West.The AP analyzed data compiled by The COVID Tracking Project, a volunteer organization that collects coronavirus testing data in the United States. The analysis found that in 21 states as of Monday, the rolling seven-day average of new cases per capita was higher than the average seven days earlier.Here’s what’s driving increases in some of the states with notable upticks:MISSOURI&nbsp;Missouri health officials reported 179 in new confirmed coronavirus cases Tuesday as the state continues to see daily triple-digit increases.The state's COVID-19 death toll increased to 848 on Wednesday, which was 29 more than on Monday.&nbsp;ARIZONARepublican Gov. Doug Ducey ended Arizona’s stay-at-home order on May 15 and eased restrictions on businesses. Arizona residents who were cooped up for six weeks flooded Phoenix-area bar districts, ignoring social distancing guidelines.The state began seeing a surge of new cases and hospitalizations about 10 days later.“It seems pretty clear to me that what we’re seeing is directly related to the end of the stay-at-home order,” said Will Humble, executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association.It wasn’t just that the order ended: There were no requirements to wear face masks, no major increases in contact tracing to spot and stop evolving outbreaks, and no scale-up of infection control at nursing homes, he said.“Those are missed opportunities that, if implemented today, could still make a big difference,” said Humble, a former director of the state Department of Health Services.Testing has been increasing in Arizona, which increases the chance of finding new cases. But the proportion of tests that come back positive has also been on the rise.The AP analysis found Arizona had a rolling average of fewer than 400 new cases a day at the time the shutdown was lifted, but it shot up two weeks later and surpassed 1,000 new cases a day by early this week. Hospitalizations have also risen dramatically, hitting the 1,200 mark last week.The state also passed another grim milestone last week, recording it’s 1,000th death.Meanwhile Arizona hospitals on Tuesday reported they were at 83% of capacity, up from 78% the previous day. That could force affected hospitals to cancel elective surgeries. Rules established under an executive order Ducey issued in April said hospitals wanting to resume elective surgeries had to have at least 20% of their beds available.NORTH CAROLINAIn North Carolina, more testing plus more people out and about during reopening seem to be the main drivers of recent case upticks, said Kimberly Powers, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of North Carolina.On Saturday, the state recorded its highest single-day increase, with 1,370. While testing has grown in the last two weeks, so has the rate of tests coming back positive.“These trends moving in the wrong direction is a signal we need to take very seriously,” said North Carolina’s top health official, Mandy Cohen, who along with Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has urged the public to take precautions to protect themselves.But some state residents are not on board.“I think they should start opening stuff a little bit more,” said Jason Denton, an electrician from Greenville who said one of his main concerns was getting to the gym.“That’s like my therapy,” he said.TEXASFew states are rebooting faster than Texas, where hospitalizations surged past 2,100 on Wednesday for the first time during the pandemic. That’s a 42% increase in patients since Memorial Day weekend, when restless beachgoers swarmed Texas’ coastline and a water park near Houston opened to big crowds in defiance of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s orders.Texas’ percentage of tests coming back positive has also jumped to levels that are among the nation’s highest. State officials point to hot spots at meatpacking plants and prisons in rural counties, where thousands of new cases have cropped up, but have not offered explanations for a rise in numbers elsewhere.Abbott, who has recently begun wearing a mask in public, has shown no intention of pumping the brake on reopening a state where conservative protesters in May pressured him to speed up the timeline on getting hair salons back in business.On Friday, Texas is set to lift even more restrictions and let restaurant dining rooms reopen at nearly full capacity.ALABAMAIn Alabama, outbreaks in nursing homes and poultry plants helped drive state numbers upward, though there was a drop more recently. But that may change — there is evidence of community transmission in the capital, Montgomery, which has become an emerging hot spot, said State Health Officer Scott Harris.“I think reopening the economy gave a lot of people the wrong impression … that, ‘Hey everything is fine. Let’s go back to normal,’” Harris said. “Clearly, it is not that way. Really, now more than ever we need people to stay 6 feet apart, wear face coverings and wash their hands.”Montgomery hospital intensive care units are as busy as during flu season.“I can assure you that Montgomery’s cases are not going down, and if our community does not take this seriously, the virus will continue to spread, and at some point, our medical capacity will reach its limit,” Dr. David Thrasher, director of respiratory therapy at Jackson Hospital, said in a statement.ARKANSASArkansas has also seen increases — in cases, hospitalizations and the percentage of tests that come back positive. But the state’s situation is a complicated story of different outbreaks at different times, said Dr. Nate Smith, director of the Arkansas Department of Health.After a peak in April, levels were low until spikes began about three weeks ago — mainly in the cities of Rogers and Springdale in the northwest and in De Queen further south. The cases have been concentrated among Hispanics and those who work in chicken production facilities.The chicken plants never were closed, Smith said. Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Wednesday said the state will move into a new phase of reopening, starting Monday.LOOKING AHEADExperts are wondering what will happen in the next week or so, in the wake of nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police.The protests were outdoors, which reduces the likelihood of virus spread, and many participants have worn masks and taken other precautions. But it’s a lot of people close together, chanting, singing and yelling.“Hopefully we won’t see a big spike. But those data aren’t in yet,” Humble said.

Alarming rise in virus cases as states roll back lockdowns

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City should rename an iconic fountain and street that bears the name of an important city developer who barred minorities from living in affluent neighborhoods that he designed in the early 1900s, a member of the city's parks board said.

Chris Goode wrote last week to fellow members of the Board of Parks and Recreation asking them to consider a new name for the J.C. Nichols fountain and a parkway that runs through County Club Plaza.

The fountain was the gathering spot for many of the recent protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

“The time has come for us to stop turning a blind eye towards racism of past and present," Goode said in the letter. "There is no immediate resolution to racism, that of which has been deeply embedded for over 400 years into the fabric of this country. We can however, make a collective decision to simply do the right thing, now.”

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a statement that he supported Goode's suggestion.

“No person accelerated white flight, redlining, and racial division in the Kansas City area more than J.C. Nichols,“ Lucas said. "The time has long passed that we remove Kansas City’s memorials to his name.”

The park board said it would schedule two public comment sessions in the next 30 days before voting on the request.

Meanwhile, University of Missouri System President Mun Choi will meet Thursday with organizers of an online petition seeking to have a statue of Thomas Jefferson removed from the Columbia campus.

The petition, which had more than 3,200 signatures as of Wednesday, targets the statue because Jefferson owned slaves and fathered children with one of those slaves, Sally Hemming.

The statue has been the target of anti-racism protests in the past. In the fall of 2015, students used post-it notes attached to the statue to express outrage at Jefferson’s treatment of Hemmings.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591180588986.png" alt="Protesters and police face off last week near the Plaza photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Protesters and police face off last week near the Plaza photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City should rename an iconic fountain and street that bears the name of an important city developer who barred minorities from living in affluent neighborhoods that he designed in the early 1900s, a member of the city's parks board said.Chris Goode wrote last week to fellow members of the Board of Parks and Recreation asking them to consider a new name for the J.C. Nichols fountain and a parkway that runs through County Club Plaza.The fountain was the gathering spot for many of the recent protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.“The time has come for us to stop turning a blind eye towards racism of past and present," Goode said in the letter. "There is no immediate resolution to racism, that of which has been deeply embedded for over 400 years into the fabric of this country. We can however, make a collective decision to simply do the right thing, now.”Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a statement that he supported Goode's suggestion.“No person accelerated white flight, redlining, and racial division in the Kansas City area more than J.C. Nichols,“ Lucas said. "The time has long passed that we remove Kansas City’s memorials to his name.”The park board said it would schedule two public comment sessions in the next 30 days before voting on the request.Meanwhile, University of Missouri System President Mun Choi will meet Thursday with organizers of an online petition seeking to have a statue of Thomas Jefferson removed from the Columbia campus.The petition, which had more than 3,200 signatures as of Wednesday, targets the statue because Jefferson owned slaves and fathered children with one of those slaves, Sally Hemming.The statue has been the target of anti-racism protests in the past. In the fall of 2015, students used post-it notes attached to the statue to express outrage at Jefferson’s treatment of Hemmings.

Kansas City board to consider renaming iconic fountain, site of protests

SEDGWICK COUNTY — The Church of the Magdalen,&nbsp;12626 E 21st St N in Wichita is temporarily close for at least two weeks after a priest reported he tested positive for COVID-19.

According to the Diocese of Wichita, the priest&nbsp;woke up feeling ill on Wednesday and after speaking with a doctor, went in for a test and received a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. 

Since the priest live together in the rectory, a second priest is now also required to quarantine for 14 days.

Out of an abundance of&nbsp;caution, the priest and the church staff have determined the following measures need to be taken, effective immediately. All Masses—including Sunday Masses, confessions, and Eucharistic Adoration are temporarily suspended

Livestreams are temporarily discontinued (Magdalen website will have recommended alternatives shortly)

First Communion, originally scheduled for this weekend, is postponed until further notice

The entire Magdalen campus is temporarily closed

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584219029698.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — The Church of the Magdalen,&nbsp;12626 E 21st St N in Wichita is temporarily close for at least two weeks after a priest reported he tested positive for COVID-19.According to the Diocese of Wichita, the priest&nbsp;woke up feeling ill on Wednesday and after speaking with a doctor, went in for a test and received a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Since the priest live together in the rectory, a second priest is now also required to quarantine for 14 days.Out of an abundance of&nbsp;caution, the priest and the church staff have determined the following measures need to be taken, effective immediately. All Masses—including Sunday Masses, confessions, and Eucharistic Adoration are temporarily suspendedLivestreams are temporarily discontinued (Magdalen website will have recommended alternatives shortly)First Communion, originally scheduled for this weekend, is postponed until further noticeThe entire Magdalen campus is temporarily closed

Coronavirus shuts down Kan. church after priest tests positive

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas City, Kansas, police officer was charged Wednesday with two counts of felony aggravated indecent liberties with a child, Wyandotte County Attorney Mark Dupree said.

The charges against Nicholas Schafer, 36, involve lewd fondling or touching of a child under the age of 14. Dupree said the officer knew the victim and the alleged crimes did not occur while he was on duty.

Schafer, who has been an officer for more than a decade, was being held on on $250,000 bond.

Kansas City, Kansas, Interim Police Chief Michael York said the department’s Internal Affairs Division began investigating as soon as it was made aware of the incident.

“I hold myself and my employees to the highest standards,” York said. “All complaints against members of our Department are investigated thoroughly.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591824053989.png" alt="Schafer photo Wyandotte County" />
 <figcaption>Schafer photo Wyandotte County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas City, Kansas, police officer was charged Wednesday with two counts of felony aggravated indecent liberties with a child, Wyandotte County Attorney Mark Dupree said.The charges against Nicholas Schafer, 36, involve lewd fondling or touching of a child under the age of 14. Dupree said the officer knew the victim and the alleged crimes did not occur while he was on duty.Schafer, who has been an officer for more than a decade, was being held on on $250,000 bond.Kansas City, Kansas, Interim Police Chief Michael York said the department’s Internal Affairs Division began investigating as soon as it was made aware of the incident.“I hold myself and my employees to the highest standards,” York said. “All complaints against members of our Department are investigated thoroughly.”

Kansas police officer jailed on $250K bond for 2 child sex crimes

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Donors are pushing Kansas’ higher education board to fire Wichita State University’s president after he canceled a virtual speech by Ivanka Trump for its technical school’s graduation.

The Kansas Board of Regents had a special Zoom meeting Wednesday, only two days after a former board member from Wichita said the regents should ask for President Jay Golden’s resignation. Golden was present for at least part of the four-hour closed meeting.

Afterward, the board issued <a href="https://www.kansasregents.org/about/news-releases/2020-news-releases/757-kansas-board-of-regents-statement">a short statement</a> that didn’t mention him or Wichita State, expressing its commitment to “support and promote freedom of speech and diversity and inclusion.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/466ba7b32565ecde87ff4eb40dd4f71e">Golden canceled</a>&nbsp;Trump’s speech after students and faculty protested. Students staged an impromptu rally Wednesday for Golden, and nearly 7,200 people had signed a petition supporting him by Wednesday night.

<a href="https://www.kansasregents.org/about/news-releases/2020-news-releases/757-kansas-board-of-regents-statement" target="_blank">The board’s statement</a>&nbsp;asked for “patience and understanding” in “unprecedented times.”

“We look forward to strengthening relationships with students, alumni and friends,” the statement said.

Steve Clark, the former regent seeking Golden’s ouster, sent a letter Monday to board members saying Golden’s decision to cancel the speech by President Donald Trump’s daughter threatens a multimillion-dollar relationship with Koch Industries, the vast conglomerate led by billionaire and conservative political donor Charles Koch.<a href="https://www.kansas.com/article243382231.html" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a>He did not return a telephone message Wednesday from The Associated Press.

Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican and Wichita State graduate, said she was “deeply disappointed,” adding that when she was a student in the 1970s, “free speech was a fundamental right on campus.”

“I fear that may no longer be the case,” she said.

A Koch Industries spokeswoman said Wednesday that financial commitments to the university are being honored and, while it opposes canceling speakers, it doesn’t tie funding to university employment actions.

Clark is the chairman and CEO of a Wichita investment firm who served as chairman of search committees for both Golden and his predecessor, John Bardo. Golden became president in January, after Bardo died in March 2019.

Clark told the regents that officials from Koch Industries and several longtime donors and supporters are “very upset and quite vocal in their decisions to disavow any further support.” He said canceling Trump’s speech damaged the school’s reputation with high-profile donors and relationships can be restored only if Golden leaves.

Steve Feilmeier, Koch Industries’ executive vice president and chief financial officer, said in an email that he’s been asked to serve on the Wichita State Foundation board and how the speech controversy is resolved will “weigh heavily” on his decision.

The university has said Koch Industries and its associated foundations have spent or pledged to spend more than $15 million there in the past seven years. The university’s basketball arena is named for Charles Koch.

Company spokeswoman Jessica Koehn said it respects “the university’s independence” in making employment decisions.

But she also said Koch Industries believes canceling speakers “cuts off the chance to engage, debate, and criticize.”

Wichita State has 14,000 students, including some 3,000 at its technical school and is home to a national institute on aviation research. Parts of Wichita and its suburbs are politically conservative, and Donald Trump carried the county in 2016 by 18 percentage points. Ivanka Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e0fc0c39320f47bb97c009827f9f5bfc">visited WSU Tech last fall</a>&nbsp;to promote its training programs.

The university announced Thursday that she would give a virtual speech for WSU Tech’s graduation and canceled it hours later after a professor’s open letter of protest garnered nearly 500 signatures. The letter said allowing the speech would show that the WSU Tech “does not take diversity seriously.”

Days earlier, police under federal command in Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a2797b342b4fc509e43f404817a56aa9">used tear gas&nbsp;</a>to force back peaceful protesters of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis while detained by police. The police action allowed the president to walk to a church near the White House and pose with a Bible, accompanied by his daughter. The president also threatened to use the military to quell violence.

WSU Tech President Sheree Utash&nbsp;<a href="https://wsutech.edu/news/message-from-wsu-tech-president-dr-sheree-utash/" target="_blank">later apologized,</a>&nbsp;calling the timing of the announcement of Ivanka Trump’s speech “insensitive.” Golden has said the university is committed to diversity and that he canceled the speech to avoid a distraction from celebrating the students.

Ivanka Trump responded&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/IvankaTrump/status/1269044636590497792" target="_blank">by tweeting</a>&nbsp;a link to her remarks and saying universities should be “bastions of free speech.”

“Cancel culture and viewpoint discrimination are antithetical to academia,” she said.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a former Wichita-area congressman, called the cancellation “shameful.”

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Donors are pushing Kansas’ higher education board to fire Wichita State University’s president after he canceled a virtual speech by Ivanka Trump for its technical school’s graduation.

The Kansas Board of Regents scheduled a special meeting Wednesday to discuss what it called “personnel matters.” Its staff did not say more, but the meeting comes only two days after a former board member from Wichita said the regents should ask for President Jay Golden’s resignation.

<a href="https://apnews.com/466ba7b32565ecde87ff4eb40dd4f71e">Golden canceled</a>&nbsp;Trump’s speech after students and faculty protested. Students staged an impromptu rally Wednesday to support him.

Steve Clark, the former regent seeking Golden’s ouster, sent a letter Monday to board members saying Golden’s decision to cancel the speech by President Donald Trump’s daughter threatens a multimillion-dollar relationship with Koch Industries, the vast conglomerate led by billionaire and conservative political donor Charles Koch.

<a href="https://www.kansas.com/article243382231.html" target="_blank"></a>A Koch Industries spokeswoman said Wednesday that financial commitments to the university are being honored and, while it opposes canceling speakers, it doesn’t tie funding to university employment actions.

Clark told the regents that officials from Koch Industries and several longtime donors and supporters are “very upset and quite vocal in their decisions to disavow any further support.” He said canceling Trump’s speech damaged the school’s reputation with high-profile donors.

“These relationships can only be restored by Dr. Golden’s departure,” he wrote the regents. “I would strongly encourage you not to let this linger.”

Steve Feilmeier, Koch Industries’ executive vice president and chief financial officer, said he’s been asked to serve on the Wichita State Foundation board and how the speech controversy is resolved will “weigh heavily” on his decision.

The university has said Koch Industries and its associated foundations have spent or pledged to spend more than $15 million there in the past seven years. Company spokeswoman Jessica Koehn said it respects “the university’s independence” in making employment decisions.

The university announced Thursday that she would give a virtual speech for WSU Tech’s graduation and canceled it hours later after a professor’s open letter of protest garnered nearly 500 signatures.

Days earlier, police under federal command in Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a2797b342b4fc509e43f404817a56aa9">used tear gas&nbsp;</a>to force back a peaceful protests of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis while detained by police. The police action allowed the president to walk to a church near the White House and pose with a Bible, accompanied by his daughter. The president also threatened to use the military to quell violence.

WSU Tech President Sheree Utash later apologized, calling the timing of the announcement of Ivanka Trump’s speech “insensitive.” Golden has said the university is committed to diversity and that he canceled the speech to avoid a distraction from celebrating the students.

“Cancel culture and viewpoint discrimination are antithetical to academia,” she said.&nbsp; (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&amp;v=-dNU9e0SYIg&amp;feature=emb_logo">Click here </a>to watch a recording of her speech)

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a former Wichita-area congressman, called the cancellation “shameful,” adding in a statement: “The losers here are freedom of thought, the students, and the central idea of universities as places of tolerance and learning.”

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Donors are calling for Wichita State University’s president to be fired after he canceled a virtual speech by Ivanka Trump for its technical school’s graduation.

A former member of the Kansas higher education system’s Board of Regents told the board that the decision by university President Jay Golden threatens a multimillion-dollar relationship with Koch Industries, the vast conglomerate led by billionaire and conservative political donor Charles Koch.

The Board of Regents scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday. Golden took over as the university’s president in January following the death of former President John Bardo.

The university announced Thursday that President Donald Trump’s daughter and adviser would give a virtual speech at the ceremony honoring this year’s graduates of WSU Tech. But her speech was canceled only hours later following criticism from faculty, students and alumni concerned about the Trump administration’s response to nationwide protests against police brutality. Golden later said the university is committed to diversity and that he canceled the speech to avoid a distraction from celebrating the students.

Steve Clark, a former Kansas Board of Regents member from Wichita, told the board in a letter Monday that Koch Industries and several longtime donors and supporters are “very upset and quite vocal in their decisions to disavow any further support.”

WICHITA —WSU Tech has made a change in who will speak at their weekend virtual graduation event.

On Thursday morning, the school announced that Ivanka Trump, advisor to the president of the United States, as a planned speaker at the college’s virtual commencement ceremony scheduled for Saturday.

The invitation was extended in February and Ms. Trump offered to record a congratulatory message to graduates to be played during the event, according to a statement released late Thursday from Dr. Sheree Utash, President, WSU Tech.

"In light of the social justice issues brought forth by George Floyd’s death, I understand and take responsibility that the timing of the announcement was insensitive. For this, I’m sorry that was never the intent, and I want you to know I have heard you and we are responding," according to Utash.

"Our focus with commencement has always been about our graduates and celebrating their accomplishments. To ensure this our only commencement speaker will be Rebecca Zinabu, WSU Tech practical nursing graduate," according to a joint statement from Utash and Wichita State University president Jay Golden.

"The graduates will also be invited to separately view congratulatory messages from over 30 voices, including Ms. Trump and community members."

Utash wrote, "I respect and understand the sharply divided reaction to today’s announcement. The college stands with those who fight injustice and advocate for social equity, and we’re profoundly proud of the diversity and social change being brought forth by our students, alumni, faculty, and staff.

In my heart, my highest priority has always been to support our students and our community, and we will do so on Saturday."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581346426258.jpeg" alt=" WSU President Jay Golden - photo by Stephan Bisaha&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption> WSU President Jay Golden - photo by Stephan Bisaha&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Donors are pushing Kansas’ higher education board to fire Wichita State University’s president after he canceled a virtual speech by Ivanka Trump for its technical school’s graduation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591838980724.png" alt="Board of Regents held their meeting on Zoom Wednesday" />
 <figcaption>Board of Regents held their meeting on Zoom Wednesday</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Board of Regents had a special Zoom meeting Wednesday, only two days after a former board member from Wichita said the regents should ask for President Jay Golden’s resignation. Golden was present for at least part of the four-hour closed meeting.Afterward, the board issued <a href="https://www.kansasregents.org/about/news-releases/2020-news-releases/757-kansas-board-of-regents-statement">a short statement</a> that didn’t mention him or Wichita State, expressing its commitment to “support and promote freedom of speech and diversity and inclusion.”<div> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I stand with the Kansas Board of Regents in its support for freedom of speech and for diversity and inclusion. I look forward to continuing our efforts in advancing the mission and vision of <a href="https://twitter.com/WichitaState?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WichitaState</a> for all of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShockerNation?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShockerNation</a>. Full statement: <a href="https://t.co/5YjzzXTsHk">https://t.co/5YjzzXTsHk</a> <a href="https://t.co/cgWkLdLlqG">pic.twitter.com/cgWkLdLlqG</a>&mdash; Dr. Jay Golden (@PresidentWSU) <a href="https://twitter.com/PresidentWSU/status/1270912273612181504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://apnews.com/466ba7b32565ecde87ff4eb40dd4f71e">Golden canceled</a>&nbsp;Trump’s speech after students and faculty protested. Students staged an impromptu rally Wednesday for Golden, and nearly 7,200 people had signed a petition supporting him by Wednesday night.<a href="https://www.kansasregents.org/about/news-releases/2020-news-releases/757-kansas-board-of-regents-statement" target="_blank">The board’s statement</a>&nbsp;asked for “patience and understanding” in “unprecedented times.”“We look forward to strengthening relationships with students, alumni and friends,” the statement said.Steve Clark, the former regent seeking Golden’s ouster, sent a letter Monday to board members saying Golden’s decision to cancel the speech by President Donald Trump’s daughter threatens a multimillion-dollar relationship with Koch Industries, the vast conglomerate led by billionaire and conservative political donor Charles Koch.<a href="https://www.kansas.com/article243382231.html" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a>He did not return a telephone message Wednesday from The Associated Press.Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican and Wichita State graduate, said she was “deeply disappointed,” adding that when she was a student in the 1970s, “free speech was a fundamental right on campus.”“I fear that may no longer be the case,” she said.A Koch Industries spokeswoman said Wednesday that financial commitments to the university are being honored and, while it opposes canceling speakers, it doesn’t tie funding to university employment actions.Clark is the chairman and CEO of a Wichita investment firm who served as chairman of search committees for both Golden and his predecessor, John Bardo. Golden became president in January, after Bardo died in March 2019.Clark told the regents that officials from Koch Industries and several longtime donors and supporters are “very upset and quite vocal in their decisions to disavow any further support.” He said canceling Trump’s speech damaged the school’s reputation with high-profile donors and relationships can be restored only if Golden leaves.Steve Feilmeier, Koch Industries’ executive vice president and chief financial officer, said in an email that he’s been asked to serve on the Wichita State Foundation board and how the speech controversy is resolved will “weigh heavily” on his decision.The university has said Koch Industries and its associated foundations have spent or pledged to spend more than $15 million there in the past seven years. The university’s basketball arena is named for Charles Koch.Company spokeswoman Jessica Koehn said it respects “the university’s independence” in making employment decisions.But she also said Koch Industries believes canceling speakers “cuts off the chance to engage, debate, and criticize.”Wichita State has 14,000 students, including some 3,000 at its technical school and is home to a national institute on aviation research. Parts of Wichita and its suburbs are politically conservative, and Donald Trump carried the county in 2016 by 18 percentage points. Ivanka Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e0fc0c39320f47bb97c009827f9f5bfc">visited WSU Tech last fall</a>&nbsp;to promote its training programs.The university announced Thursday that she would give a virtual speech for WSU Tech’s graduation and canceled it hours later after a professor’s open letter of protest garnered nearly 500 signatures. The letter said allowing the speech would show that the WSU Tech “does not take diversity seriously.”Days earlier, police under federal command in Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a2797b342b4fc509e43f404817a56aa9">used tear gas&nbsp;</a>to force back peaceful protesters of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis while detained by police. The police action allowed the president to walk to a church near the White House and pose with a Bible, accompanied by his daughter. The president also threatened to use the military to quell violence.WSU Tech President Sheree Utash&nbsp;<a href="https://wsutech.edu/news/message-from-wsu-tech-president-dr-sheree-utash/" target="_blank">later apologized,</a>&nbsp;calling the timing of the announcement of Ivanka Trump’s speech “insensitive.” Golden has said the university is committed to diversity and that he canceled the speech to avoid a distraction from celebrating the students.Ivanka Trump responded&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/IvankaTrump/status/1269044636590497792" target="_blank">by tweeting</a>&nbsp;a link to her remarks and saying universities should be “bastions of free speech.”“Cancel culture and viewpoint discrimination are antithetical to academia,” she said.U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a former Wichita-area congressman, called the cancellation “shameful.”---------WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Donors are pushing Kansas’ higher education board to fire Wichita State University’s president after he canceled a virtual speech by Ivanka Trump for its technical school’s graduation.The Kansas Board of Regents scheduled a special meeting Wednesday to discuss what it called “personnel matters.” Its staff did not say more, but the meeting comes only two days after a former board member from Wichita said the regents should ask for President Jay Golden’s resignation.<a href="https://apnews.com/466ba7b32565ecde87ff4eb40dd4f71e">Golden canceled</a>&nbsp;Trump’s speech after students and faculty protested. Students staged an impromptu rally Wednesday to support him.Steve Clark, the former regent seeking Golden’s ouster, sent a letter Monday to board members saying Golden’s decision to cancel the speech by President Donald Trump’s daughter threatens a multimillion-dollar relationship with Koch Industries, the vast conglomerate led by billionaire and conservative political donor Charles Koch.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574437394978.png" alt="Secretary of State Mike Pompeo&nbsp; and Ivanka Trump visited Wichita in Oct. 2019" />
 <figcaption>Secretary of State Mike Pompeo&nbsp; and Ivanka Trump visited Wichita in Oct. 2019</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansas.com/article243382231.html" target="_blank"></a>A Koch Industries spokeswoman said Wednesday that financial commitments to the university are being honored and, while it opposes canceling speakers, it doesn’t tie funding to university employment actions.Clark is the chairman and CEO of a Wichita investment firm who served as chairman of search committees for both Golden and his predecessor, John Bardo. Golden became president in January, after Bardo died in March 2019.Clark told the regents that officials from Koch Industries and several longtime donors and supporters are “very upset and quite vocal in their decisions to disavow any further support.” He said canceling Trump’s speech damaged the school’s reputation with high-profile donors.“These relationships can only be restored by Dr. Golden’s departure,” he wrote the regents. “I would strongly encourage you not to let this linger.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We stand with President Dr. Jay Golden of Wichita State University. Dr. Golden listened to the student voices’ and took action, which is one of the things that makes him a great university president. <a href="https://t.co/16wf1JyYgo">pic.twitter.com/16wf1JyYgo</a>&mdash; Wichita State Student Government Association (@WichitaStateSGA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WichitaStateSGA/status/1270739357541044224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Steve Feilmeier, Koch Industries’ executive vice president and chief financial officer, said he’s been asked to serve on the Wichita State Foundation board and how the speech controversy is resolved will “weigh heavily” on his decision.The university has said Koch Industries and its associated foundations have spent or pledged to spend more than $15 million there in the past seven years. Company spokeswoman Jessica Koehn said it respects “the university’s independence” in making employment decisions.But she also said Koch Industries believes canceling speakers “cuts off the chance to engage, debate, and criticize.”Wichita State has 14,000 students, including some 3,000 at its technical school and is home to a national institute on aviation research. Parts of Wichita and its suburbs are politically conservative, and Donald Trump carried the county in 2016 by 18 percentage points. Ivanka Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e0fc0c39320f47bb97c009827f9f5bfc">visited WSU Tech last fall</a>&nbsp;to promote its training programs.The university announced Thursday that she would give a virtual speech for WSU Tech’s graduation and canceled it hours later after a professor’s open letter of protest garnered nearly 500 signatures.Days earlier, police under federal command in Washington&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a2797b342b4fc509e43f404817a56aa9">used tear gas&nbsp;</a>to force back a peaceful protests of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis while detained by police. The police action allowed the president to walk to a church near the White House and pose with a Bible, accompanied by his daughter. The president also threatened to use the military to quell violence.WSU Tech President Sheree Utash later apologized, calling the timing of the announcement of Ivanka Trump’s speech “insensitive.” Golden has said the university is committed to diversity and that he canceled the speech to avoid a distraction from celebrating the students.Ivanka Trump responded&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/IvankaTrump/status/1269044636590497792" target="_blank">by tweeting</a>&nbsp;a link to her remarks and saying universities should be “bastions of free speech.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Here is the message I recorded on May 18th for the Graduates of WSU-Tech. I know that all of these talented graduates will dream big and aspire to make the world a better place!&mdash; Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/IvankaTrump/status/1269044635634143233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Cancel culture and viewpoint discrimination are antithetical to academia,” she said.&nbsp; (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&amp;v=-dNU9e0SYIg&amp;feature=emb_logo">Click here </a>to watch a recording of her speech)U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a former Wichita-area congressman, called the cancellation “shameful,” adding in a statement: “The losers here are freedom of thought, the students, and the central idea of universities as places of tolerance and learning.”----------WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Donors are calling for Wichita State University’s president to be fired after he canceled a virtual speech by Ivanka Trump for its technical school’s graduation.A former member of the Kansas higher education system’s Board of Regents told the board that the decision by university President Jay Golden threatens a multimillion-dollar relationship with Koch Industries, the vast conglomerate led by billionaire and conservative political donor Charles Koch.The Board of Regents scheduled a special meeting for Wednesday. Golden took over as the university’s president in January following the death of former President John Bardo.The university announced Thursday that President Donald Trump’s daughter and adviser would give a virtual speech at the ceremony honoring this year’s graduates of WSU Tech. But her speech was canceled only hours later following criticism from faculty, students and alumni concerned about the Trump administration’s response to nationwide protests against police brutality. Golden later said the university is committed to diversity and that he canceled the speech to avoid a distraction from celebrating the students.Steve Clark, a former Kansas Board of Regents member from Wichita, told the board in a letter Monday that Koch Industries and several longtime donors and supporters are “very upset and quite vocal in their decisions to disavow any further support.”-------------WICHITA —WSU Tech has made a change in who will speak at their weekend virtual graduation event.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574437394978.png" alt="Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Ivanka Trump during her visit to Wichita in October of 2019" />
 <figcaption>Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Ivanka Trump during her visit to Wichita in October of 2019</figcaption>
 </figure>On Thursday morning, the school announced that Ivanka Trump, advisor to the president of the United States, as a planned speaker at the college’s virtual commencement ceremony scheduled for Saturday.The invitation was extended in February and Ms. Trump offered to record a congratulatory message to graduates to be played during the event, according to a statement released late Thursday from Dr. Sheree Utash, President, WSU Tech."In light of the social justice issues brought forth by George Floyd’s death, I understand and take responsibility that the timing of the announcement was insensitive. For this, I’m sorry that was never the intent, and I want you to know I have heard you and we are responding," according to Utash."Our focus with commencement has always been about our graduates and celebrating their accomplishments. To ensure this our only commencement speaker will be Rebecca Zinabu, WSU Tech practical nursing graduate," according to a joint statement from Utash and Wichita State University president Jay Golden."The graduates will also be invited to separately view congratulatory messages from over 30 voices, including Ms. Trump and community members."Utash wrote, "I respect and understand the sharply divided reaction to today’s announcement. The college stands with those who fight injustice and advocate for social equity, and we’re profoundly proud of the diversity and social change being brought forth by our students, alumni, faculty, and staff.In my heart, my highest priority has always been to support our students and our community, and we will do so on Saturday."

The Latest: Canceling Ivanka Trump spurs backlash at Wichita State

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and have made an arrest.

Just before 9p..m Tuesday, police responded to an armed robbery at the McDonald’s located in the 400 block of S. West Street in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Upon arrival, they contacted two 17-year-old male employees.&nbsp; One employee reported that an unknown suspect opened the drive-thru window armed with a handgun and demanded cash.&nbsp; The employee gave the suspect the cash drawer from the register.&nbsp; The suspect then left the scene in a white Ford Flex.&nbsp; Neither of the employees were injured.

At approximately 10:30 p.m. officers located the suspect’s vehicle in the area of W. University Avenue and S. Knight Street in Wichita.&nbsp;

Santiago Castillo, 18, Wichita, and an 18-year-old female were the occupants.&nbsp; Officers also saw the cash drawer, a mask, and a gun.&nbsp; Police arrested him&nbsp;on a requested charge of aggravated robbery.

The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591809735239.png" alt="Castillo photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Castillo photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and have made an arrest.Just before 9p..m Tuesday, police responded to an armed robbery at the McDonald’s located in the 400 block of S. West Street in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.Upon arrival, they contacted two 17-year-old male employees.&nbsp; One employee reported that an unknown suspect opened the drive-thru window armed with a handgun and demanded cash.&nbsp; The employee gave the suspect the cash drawer from the register.&nbsp; The suspect then left the scene in a white Ford Flex.&nbsp; Neither of the employees were injured.At approximately 10:30 p.m. officers located the suspect’s vehicle in the area of W. University Avenue and S. Knight Street in Wichita.&nbsp;Santiago Castillo, 18, Wichita, and an 18-year-old female were the occupants.&nbsp; Officers also saw the cash drawer, a mask, and a gun.&nbsp; Police arrested him&nbsp;on a requested charge of aggravated robbery.The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

Police: Kan. man took cash drawer at McDonalds drive-through

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Spirit AeroSystems will furlough about 900 hourly employees who work on the Boeing 737 program, the company said Wednesday.

Spirit will implement the 21-day furloughs beginning Monday through July 6, the Wichita Eagle&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/business/aviation/article243437306.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.

The furloughs are needed because of the continued effect of COVID-19 on the airline industry and the uncertainty surrounding the return to service of the 737 Max, Spirit spokeswoman Keturah Austin said.

The company employs around 13,000 people full-time in the area.

“This difficult decision was made to help safeguard the financial health and stability of the company,” Austin said. “We acknowledge the hardship this will have on our employees, and we’re thankful for their commitment and understanding during this difficult time.”

Spirit makes fuselages for the 737 Max, which was grounded by regulators worldwide after two crashes. Boeing is a major customer of Spirit AeroSystems.

The company employs around 13,000 people in the area.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Spirit AeroSystems will furlough about 900 hourly employees who work on the Boeing 737 program, the company said Wednesday.Spirit will implement the 21-day furloughs beginning Monday through July 6, the Wichita Eagle&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/business/aviation/article243437306.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.The furloughs are needed because of the continued effect of COVID-19 on the airline industry and the uncertainty surrounding the return to service of the 737 Max, Spirit spokeswoman Keturah Austin said.The company employs around 13,000 people full-time in the area.“This difficult decision was made to help safeguard the financial health and stability of the company,” Austin said. “We acknowledge the hardship this will have on our employees, and we’re thankful for their commitment and understanding during this difficult time.”Spirit makes fuselages for the 737 Max, which was grounded by regulators worldwide after two crashes. Boeing is a major customer of Spirit AeroSystems.The company employs around 13,000 people in the area.

Kansas aircraft parts maker to furlough about 900 employees

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Kansas City officials have advanced a measure that would drop misdemeanor charges against those who took part in peaceful street protests to decry racial injustice and police brutality following the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b3ec2c265b33d4135e4d0e86cb67d347">police-involved killing&nbsp;</a>of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

The City Council is considering legislation offered by Councilman Brandon Ellington to prevent many protesters from being prosecuted, as long as they didn’t commit a violent crime or damage property, the Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article243392811.html">reported</a>. The council’s Special Committee on Legal Review voted 3-1 on Tuesday to advance the legislation. The full City Council is expected to hear the proposal next week.

More than 220 people who took to the streets from May 29 through June 2 were arrested, officials have said. Ellington’s proposal would bar the city from prosecuting those who were arrested during the protests under city laws that deal with such minor offenses as disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, defacing property, creating a nuisance, trespassing and loitering.

Supporters of the ordinance say police incited unrest by showing up in riot gear, pepper spraying the crowd and deploying tear gas.

Sheri Hall, who testified Tuesday in favor of the ordinance, said she saw that most protesters were peaceful and tried to discourage more violent conduct.

“When you have people militarized against you, it raises the tension of everybody in the room,” she said. “People were in riot gear, and there was no riot.”

Opponents of the proposal say the move could encourage lawlessness. Brad Lemon, president of the local police union, said it could also set a bad precedent.

“When we start talking about changing these arrests and changing how we handle these, down the road when there’s a subject out here that you don’t like and individuals that you don’t support come out and start protesting, what are you going to do about those arrests?” Lemon said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590925459037.png" alt="Protesters on the Country Club Plaza photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Protesters on the Country Club Plaza photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Kansas City officials have advanced a measure that would drop misdemeanor charges against those who took part in peaceful street protests to decry racial injustice and police brutality following the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b3ec2c265b33d4135e4d0e86cb67d347">police-involved killing&nbsp;</a>of George Floyd in Minneapolis.The City Council is considering legislation offered by Councilman Brandon Ellington to prevent many protesters from being prosecuted, as long as they didn’t commit a violent crime or damage property, the Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article243392811.html">reported</a>. The council’s Special Committee on Legal Review voted 3-1 on Tuesday to advance the legislation. The full City Council is expected to hear the proposal next week.More than 220 people who took to the streets from May 29 through June 2 were arrested, officials have said. Ellington’s proposal would bar the city from prosecuting those who were arrested during the protests under city laws that deal with such minor offenses as disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, defacing property, creating a nuisance, trespassing and loitering.Supporters of the ordinance say police incited unrest by showing up in riot gear, pepper spraying the crowd and deploying tear gas.Sheri Hall, who testified Tuesday in favor of the ordinance, said she saw that most protesters were peaceful and tried to discourage more violent conduct.“When you have people militarized against you, it raises the tension of everybody in the room,” she said. “People were in riot gear, and there was no riot.”Opponents of the proposal say the move could encourage lawlessness. Brad Lemon, president of the local police union, said it could also set a bad precedent.“When we start talking about changing these arrests and changing how we handle these, down the road when there’s a subject out here that you don’t like and individuals that you don’t support come out and start protesting, what are you going to do about those arrests?” Lemon said.

Kansas City considers dropping charges against protesters

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a f shooting and have identified the victim as 32-year-old Rahim Omar of Wichita.

Just after 3:40 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a disturbance with shots fired at a home in the 2800 block of South Ida in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. Before arriving, 911 dispatchers notified officers of a man with a gunshot wound arriving at a business at Hydraulic and Wassall.

At the business, officers located Omar, who had sustained a gunshot wound to his body. He was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment and died, according to Davidson.

The investigation revealed Omar went to the home of his 24-year-old girlfriend, and a disturbance ensued. The disturbance escalated, and Omar charged at his 24-year-old girlfriend while threatening her.

She retrieved a handgun and fired a shot, striking him. Omar was taken to the nearby business by a friend who arrived at the home.

The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. Police have not reported an arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591786473750.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation on Tuesday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation on Tuesday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a f shooting and have identified the victim as 32-year-old Rahim Omar of Wichita.Just after 3:40 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a disturbance with shots fired at a home in the 2800 block of South Ida in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. Before arriving, 911 dispatchers notified officers of a man with a gunshot wound arriving at a business at Hydraulic and Wassall.At the business, officers located Omar, who had sustained a gunshot wound to his body. He was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment and died, according to Davidson.The investigation revealed Omar went to the home of his 24-year-old girlfriend, and a disturbance ensued. The disturbance escalated, and Omar charged at his 24-year-old girlfriend while threatening her.She retrieved a handgun and fired a shot, striking him. Omar was taken to the nearby business by a friend who arrived at the home.The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. Police have not reported an arrest.

Police: 24-year-old  Kan. woman kills boyfriend in domestic disturbance

Great Bend – Steven “Dewey” Jordan, 50, of Great Bend, Kansas, appeared in custody in the Barton County District Court Wednesday morning for sentencing on convicts of Rape, Aggravated Burglary, and Misdemeanor Criminal Damage to Property, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

 The charges stem from an incident in Great Bend on February 6, 2013.

Jordan was convicted on December 11, 2019, for the second time on the charges following a three-day jury trial. The defendant had been previously convicted of the charges following a five-day jury trial in September of 2015. The defendant appealed his original convictions. On review, the Kansas Court of Appeals found in an unpublished opinion on January 12, 2018, the district court violated the defendant’s constitutional right to present his theory of defense by excluding relevant evidence, reversed his convictions, vacate his sentences, and remanded the matter for a new trial. The Kansas Supreme Court declined to review the reversal.

Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett was appointed as special prosecutor to present the State’s case at re-trial. Jordan was represented by Shannon Crane of Hutchinson.

At his original sentencing, Jordan was sentenced to 620 months with the Department of Corrections. At the resentencing, however, defense counsel challenged use of the defendant’s criminal history. The State conceded that the defendant’s 1985 out of state juvenile person felony adjudications could no longer be scored as part of his official criminal history, but argued his 1989 Kansas conviction for Attempted Indecent Liberties with a Child was properly scored as a person felony, as well as three additional nonperson felonies.

District Judge Carey Hipp adopted the State’s argument and sentenced Jordan to the standard sentence of 272 months for the Rape conviction based on the revised criminal history. 

Judge Hipp then sentenced Jordan consecutively to an additional 32 months for the Aggravated Battery conviction for a total sentence of 304 months with the Kansas Department of Corrections. He is eligible to earn up to 15% good time credit. The defendant will be subject to lifetime post release and lifetime registration as a sexual offender.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591824427682.png" alt="Jordan photo KBI offender registry" />
 <figcaption>Jordan photo KBI offender registry</figcaption>
 </figure>Great Bend – Steven “Dewey” Jordan, 50, of Great Bend, Kansas, appeared in custody in the Barton County District Court Wednesday morning for sentencing on convicts of Rape, Aggravated Burglary, and Misdemeanor Criminal Damage to Property, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett. The charges stem from an incident in Great Bend on February 6, 2013.Jordan was convicted on December 11, 2019, for the second time on the charges following a three-day jury trial. The defendant had been previously convicted of the charges following a five-day jury trial in September of 2015. The defendant appealed his original convictions. On review, the Kansas Court of Appeals found in an unpublished opinion on January 12, 2018, the district court violated the defendant’s constitutional right to present his theory of defense by excluding relevant evidence, reversed his convictions, vacate his sentences, and remanded the matter for a new trial. The Kansas Supreme Court declined to review the reversal.Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett was appointed as special prosecutor to present the State’s case at re-trial. Jordan was represented by Shannon Crane of Hutchinson.At his original sentencing, Jordan was sentenced to 620 months with the Department of Corrections. At the resentencing, however, defense counsel challenged use of the defendant’s criminal history. The State conceded that the defendant’s 1985 out of state juvenile person felony adjudications could no longer be scored as part of his official criminal history, but argued his 1989 Kansas conviction for Attempted Indecent Liberties with a Child was properly scored as a person felony, as well as three additional nonperson felonies.District Judge Carey Hipp adopted the State’s argument and sentenced Jordan to the standard sentence of 272 months for the Rape conviction based on the revised criminal history. Judge Hipp then sentenced Jordan consecutively to an additional 32 months for the Aggravated Battery conviction for a total sentence of 304 months with the Kansas Department of Corrections. He is eligible to earn up to 15% good time credit. The defendant will be subject to lifetime post release and lifetime registration as a sexual offender.

Kansas man re-sentenced for 2013 rape in Great Bend

SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Salina man for robbery after a traffic stop in Saline County.

Just after 11p.m. Tuesday, an officer conducted the traffic stop on a white Ford Crown Victoria in the 1000 block of East Republic Avenue after the driver failed to use a turn signal and made two other improper turns, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

When the officer made contact with the driver identified as Karl Williams, Jr., 29, of Salina, he found that Williams had only a Texas identification card instead of a drivers license. He also had no proof of insurance. Williams has a previous felony conviction in Texas, according to Forrester.

Police brought in a K-9 and located narcotics in the vehicle. Police also found a Ruger Security 9 9mm handgun and a Smith and Wesson MP9 9mm handgun that was reported stolen in Salina in May.

Drug paraphernalia with methamphetamine residue

Williams was arrested on requested charges of Criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, Possession of stolen property, Possession of an opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant, Possession of drug paraphernalia, No proof of insurance, No driver's license and the traffic violations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591796538562.jpeg" alt="Karl Williams, Jr. -photo Saline County" />
 <figcaption>Karl Williams, Jr. -photo Saline County</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Salina man for robbery after a traffic stop in Saline County.Just after 11p.m. Tuesday, an officer conducted the traffic stop on a white Ford Crown Victoria in the 1000 block of East Republic Avenue after the driver failed to use a turn signal and made two other improper turns, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.When the officer made contact with the driver identified as Karl Williams, Jr., 29, of Salina, he found that Williams had only a Texas identification card instead of a drivers license. He also had no proof of insurance. Williams has a previous felony conviction in Texas, according to Forrester.Police brought in a K-9 and located narcotics in the vehicle. Police also found a Ruger Security 9 9mm handgun and a Smith and Wesson MP9 9mm handgun that was reported stolen in Salina in May.Drug paraphernalia with methamphetamine residueWilliams was arrested on requested charges of Criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, Possession of stolen property, Possession of an opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant, Possession of drug paraphernalia, No proof of insurance, No driver's license and the traffic violations.

Police: Felon from Texas found with stolen handgun in Kansas  

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ top election official argued Tuesday that going in person to the polls is “a community event” for many voters and that moving solely to mail ballots because of the coronavirus pandemic would create confusion.

Republican Secretary of State Scott Schwab is well along in his plans to equip every polling place with two plexiglass screens for the Aug. 4 primary election — less than five weeks after Democrats held a presidential primary only by mail that went relatively smoothly. Schwab plans to give voters disposable stylus pens and hand out $1 million in personal protective equipment to election workers, funded with federal coronavirus relief funds.

“A lot of people in our communities really enjoy going to the polling place,” Schwab said. “We don’t want to take that from them, but at the same time, we don’t want them to feel endangered.”

Schwab on Tuesday visited the Topeka branch of Binswanger Glass, which is making and shipping more than 2,000 plexiglass screens for polling places.

The quarter-inch screens are 24 inches wide and 42 inches high, with two half-inch thick legs held on by 2-inch screws, and the $150 kit can be assembled in a few minutes with a screwdriver. Jason Tomlinson, the company’s branch manager, said his goal is to have them all done and shipped by the end of this month.

Screens are common in retail stores. Kansas has reported more than 10,600 coronavirus cases and 236 COVID-19-related deaths.

Schwab’s office is encouraging people who are nervous about showing up at a polling place to ask for a mail ballot. Kansas doesn’t require voters to list a reason for seeking a mail ballot, and Schwab’s office said a record 75,000 already have been requested.

But Kansas law&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2020s/b2020s/statute/025_000_0000_chapter/025_004_0000_article/025_004_0032_section/025_004_0032_k/" target="_blank">prohibits voting solely by mail ballot</a>&nbsp;to fill elective offices, and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2020s/b2020s/statute/025_000_0000_chapter/025_006_0000_article/025_006_0022_section/025_006_0022_k/" target="_blank">another law</a>&nbsp;says the secretary of state can change the method of voting in emergencies when normal voting is “impossible.”

The issue of switching to solely mail ballots for the primary or Nov. 3 general election never came up during a special session of the Republican-controlled Legislature last week. In fact,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/56291b90279c36bafb21087cdc845c8a">a sweeping coronavirus measure&nbsp;</a>approved by lawmakers barred Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly from changing how or when elections are conducted during the pandemic.

In its presidential primary, the Kansas Democratic Party mailed ballots to more than 400,000 registered Democrats and had no in-person polling sites for the May 2 election. Turnout was about 147,000.

“I would 100% push for entirely mailing those ballots out instead of trying to put a whole lot of money into making provisions for safety,” said State Democratic Party Chairwoman Vicki Hiatt.

But Schwab said some voters who get ballots by mail without asking for them might confuse them for surveys or other mail they throw out.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587385328985.png" alt="Democrat Presidential Primary ballot in Kansas" />
 <figcaption>Democrat Presidential Primary ballot in Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ top election official argued Tuesday that going in person to the polls is “a community event” for many voters and that moving solely to mail ballots because of the coronavirus pandemic would create confusion.Republican Secretary of State Scott Schwab is well along in his plans to equip every polling place with two plexiglass screens for the Aug. 4 primary election — less than five weeks after Democrats held a presidential primary only by mail that went relatively smoothly. Schwab plans to give voters disposable stylus pens and hand out $1 million in personal protective equipment to election workers, funded with federal coronavirus relief funds.“A lot of people in our communities really enjoy going to the polling place,” Schwab said. “We don’t want to take that from them, but at the same time, we don’t want them to feel endangered.”Schwab on Tuesday visited the Topeka branch of Binswanger Glass, which is making and shipping more than 2,000 plexiglass screens for polling places.The quarter-inch screens are 24 inches wide and 42 inches high, with two half-inch thick legs held on by 2-inch screws, and the $150 kit can be assembled in a few minutes with a screwdriver. Jason Tomlinson, the company’s branch manager, said his goal is to have them all done and shipped by the end of this month.Screens are common in retail stores. Kansas has reported more than 10,600 coronavirus cases and 236 COVID-19-related deaths.Schwab’s office is encouraging people who are nervous about showing up at a polling place to ask for a mail ballot. Kansas doesn’t require voters to list a reason for seeking a mail ballot, and Schwab’s office said a record 75,000 already have been requested.But Kansas law&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2020s/b2020s/statute/025_000_0000_chapter/025_004_0000_article/025_004_0032_section/025_004_0032_k/" target="_blank">prohibits voting solely by mail ballot</a>&nbsp;to fill elective offices, and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2020s/b2020s/statute/025_000_0000_chapter/025_006_0000_article/025_006_0022_section/025_006_0022_k/" target="_blank">another law</a>&nbsp;says the secretary of state can change the method of voting in emergencies when normal voting is “impossible.”The issue of switching to solely mail ballots for the primary or Nov. 3 general election never came up during a special session of the Republican-controlled Legislature last week. In fact,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/56291b90279c36bafb21087cdc845c8a">a sweeping coronavirus measure&nbsp;</a>approved by lawmakers barred Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly from changing how or when elections are conducted during the pandemic.In its presidential primary, the Kansas Democratic Party mailed ballots to more than 400,000 registered Democrats and had no in-person polling sites for the May 2 election. Turnout was about 147,000.“I would 100% push for entirely mailing those ballots out instead of trying to put a whole lot of money into making provisions for safety,” said State Democratic Party Chairwoman Vicki Hiatt.But Schwab said some voters who get ballots by mail without asking for them might confuse them for surveys or other mail they throw out.___