By DAN GLICKMAN Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

I have always been proud of the bipartisan heritage of Kansas politicians.

We have had plenty of 
disagreements over the years, just ask any of us. But there have always 
been moments of bipartisanship on behalf of the state and the nation. 
Political disagreement is part of our system of government, and 
constructive partisanship has been a hallmark of our great state.

Think of the examples of 
such leadership: Dwight Eisenhower, Bob Dole, Nancy Kassebaum, the 
Dockings, Kathleen Sebelius, John Carlin, Mike Hayden, Jim Slattery, 
Dennis Moore and many other state and federal leaders. These folks had 
strong beliefs and deeply held principles, but they generally put good 
government first and foremost, well above blind adherence to any 
political party or narrow agenda.

They understood the basic 
truth of our government, that so many have now forgotten. The only way 
to achieve real progress for the citizens of Kansas, and the country, is
 to work collaboratively across party lines, achieve results and not 
engage in any form of blind partisanship for its own sake.

No one wins when politics 
becomes continuous personal attacks on rivals. The point of politics is 
to govern, not to slander one’s opponents and debase oneself.

I am not a Trump supporter
 and I hope, not unsurprisingly, that Biden wins. If you’re reading this
 and thinking, “he’s a hypocrite,” let me remind you that I have 
publicly supported some Republicans nationally for Congress over the 
past many years. I also worked with Sens. Kassebaum and Dole and other 
Republicans on defense issues impacting Kansas, and specifically general
 aviation product liability and related tort reform issues helping the 
Kansas aviation industry.

And I would be the first to admit that Democrats do not have a perfect record.

But what we see from 
President Trump is not merely civil, or even heated, disagreement over 
public policy. Another four years of Trump is another four years of 
chaos, dishonor and corruption from the president and much of his team. 
In recent days, where legitimate reports have indicated he has <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/09/trump-americans-who-died-at-war-are-losers-and-suckers/615997/">called our fallen soldiers “suckers” and “losers,”</a> I think enough is enough.

I am curious if Trump 
thinks that Bob Dole is a loser or sucker because he was so seriously 
injured defending America against the Nazis? After all, he said John 
McCain was not a war hero because he was captured in Vietnam. Partisans 
can disagree over America’s role in the world, but no one wants to be a 
laughingstock. President Trump ought to make us ashamed. We are 
ridiculed by the world and the butt of jokes from our own allies. His 
indefensible behavior has weakened America.

What is most troubling to 
me is the failure of so many Republicans, especially in Kansas, to speak
 truth to power and to call out this outrageous and un-American 
behavior.

Regardless of party 
affiliation, our state has always been known for calling it like it is, 
even if it meant taking on one’s own party leaders. William Allen White,
 the publisher of the Emporia Gazette, <a href="https://www.kshs.org/p/william-allen-white-s-1924-gubernatorial-campaign/13257">fought the Klu Klux Klan</a> in the 1920s at his own personal peril. He led by example.

Where are today’s independent thinkers in Kansas?

I know because I am a 
Democrat, you might not listen to me if you’re a Republican. But there 
were times when I called out my own party: on Vietnam, on excessive 
spending and racking up debt, and on many agricultural issues where the 
Republican side was on the right side of Kansas farmers.

It’s time for all of us, 
and especially our Kansas Republican leaders, to remember our proud 
history, do and say what is right, and stand up for the best principles 
of America.

Dan Glickman is the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Congressional Program, a nongovernmental, nonpartisan educational program for members of the United States Congress. He was U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 1995 until January 2001.&nbsp;Republished courtesy Kansas Reflector.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599830591566.jpeg" alt="Dan Glickman" />
 <figcaption>Dan Glickman</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAN GLICKMAN Former U.S. Secretary of AgricultureI have always been proud of the bipartisan heritage of Kansas politicians.We have had plenty of 
disagreements over the years, just ask any of us. But there have always 
been moments of bipartisanship on behalf of the state and the nation. 
Political disagreement is part of our system of government, and 
constructive partisanship has been a hallmark of our great state.Think of the examples of 
such leadership: Dwight Eisenhower, Bob Dole, Nancy Kassebaum, the 
Dockings, Kathleen Sebelius, John Carlin, Mike Hayden, Jim Slattery, 
Dennis Moore and many other state and federal leaders. These folks had 
strong beliefs and deeply held principles, but they generally put good 
government first and foremost, well above blind adherence to any 
political party or narrow agenda.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575913663048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>They understood the basic 
truth of our government, that so many have now forgotten. The only way 
to achieve real progress for the citizens of Kansas, and the country, is
 to work collaboratively across party lines, achieve results and not 
engage in any form of blind partisanship for its own sake.No one wins when politics 
becomes continuous personal attacks on rivals. The point of politics is 
to govern, not to slander one’s opponents and debase oneself.I am not a Trump supporter
 and I hope, not unsurprisingly, that Biden wins. If you’re reading this
 and thinking, “he’s a hypocrite,” let me remind you that I have 
publicly supported some Republicans nationally for Congress over the 
past many years. I also worked with Sens. Kassebaum and Dole and other 
Republicans on defense issues impacting Kansas, and specifically general
 aviation product liability and related tort reform issues helping the 
Kansas aviation industry.And I would be the first to admit that Democrats do not have a perfect record.But what we see from 
President Trump is not merely civil, or even heated, disagreement over 
public policy. Another four years of Trump is another four years of 
chaos, dishonor and corruption from the president and much of his team. 
In recent days, where legitimate reports have indicated he has <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/09/trump-americans-who-died-at-war-are-losers-and-suckers/615997/">called our fallen soldiers “suckers” and “losers,”</a> I think enough is enough.I am curious if Trump 
thinks that Bob Dole is a loser or sucker because he was so seriously 
injured defending America against the Nazis? After all, he said John 
McCain was not a war hero because he was captured in Vietnam. Partisans 
can disagree over America’s role in the world, but no one wants to be a 
laughingstock. President Trump ought to make us ashamed. We are 
ridiculed by the world and the butt of jokes from our own allies. His 
indefensible behavior has weakened America.What is most troubling to 
me is the failure of so many Republicans, especially in Kansas, to speak
 truth to power and to call out this outrageous and un-American 
behavior.Regardless of party 
affiliation, our state has always been known for calling it like it is, 
even if it meant taking on one’s own party leaders. William Allen White,
 the publisher of the Emporia Gazette, <a href="https://www.kshs.org/p/william-allen-white-s-1924-gubernatorial-campaign/13257">fought the Klu Klux Klan</a> in the 1920s at his own personal peril. He led by example.Where are today’s independent thinkers in Kansas?I know because I am a 
Democrat, you might not listen to me if you’re a Republican. But there 
were times when I called out my own party: on Vietnam, on excessive 
spending and racking up debt, and on many agricultural issues where the 
Republican side was on the right side of Kansas farmers.It’s time for all of us, 
and especially our Kansas Republican leaders, to remember our proud 
history, do and say what is right, and stand up for the best principles 
of America.Dan Glickman is the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Congressional Program, a nongovernmental, nonpartisan educational program for members of the United States Congress. He was U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 1995 until January 2001.&nbsp;Republished courtesy Kansas Reflector.

OPINION: Kansas, and the country, must return to ‘constructive partisanship’

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a report of alleged road rage asked the public for help to identify a suspect.

On Friday, Wichita Police reported they had identified the suspect in an&nbsp; aggravated assault with a firearm during a road rage incident that occurred on August 25.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a report of alleged road rage and asking the public for help to identify a suspect.

The suspect in accused in an aggravated assault with a firearm during a road rage incident that occurred on August 25 at&nbsp; 5:42 p.m., according to a social media report from Wichita Police.

 If you have any information please email Detective Hoyt at AHoyt@wichita.gov, or call Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111, or the See Something Say Something Hotline at 316-519-2282. The case number is 20C052471.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599773340308.png" alt="photo courtesy Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a report of alleged road rage asked the public for help to identify a suspect.On Friday, Wichita Police reported they had identified the suspect in an&nbsp; aggravated assault with a firearm during a road rage incident that occurred on August 25.Police have not reported an arrest.----------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a report of alleged road rage and asking the public for help to identify a suspect.The suspect in accused in an aggravated assault with a firearm during a road rage incident that occurred on August 25 at&nbsp; 5:42 p.m., according to a social media report from Wichita Police. If you have any information please email Detective Hoyt at AHoyt@wichita.gov, or call Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111, or the See Something Say Something Hotline at 316-519-2282. The case number is 20C052471.

Update: Police ask for help to ID alleged Kan. road rage suspect

By STEPHAN BISAHA <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/why-kansas-colleges-are-still-holding-film-nights-and-relay-races-amid-pandemic">Kansas News Service</a>

WICHITA, Kansas — Universities don’t just sell the 
chance at an education. The whole college experience has been a key tool
 for keeping students around.

Wichita State University budgeted <a href="https://www.wichita.edu/about/public_information/images/WSU_FY19_Operating_Budget.pdf" target="_blank">more than $1 million dollars</a> on ways for students to have fun on campus last year.

But
 face masks and social distancing make it harder to pull off those 
in-person events built on the idea of bringing lots of students 
together. Even with those precautions, any gathering risks spreading the
 coronavirus. That’s caused universities in Kansas to cut back on their 
computer-free, real life physical activities.

Yet colleges haven’t canceled all of campus life. Kansas State University has film screenings. Wichita State’s held relay races.

Here are four reasons why universities still plan on holding in-person events.

Across the country, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/12/16/787909495/fewer-students-are-going-to-college-heres-why-that-matters" target="_blank">fewer kids are going to college</a>.
 Schools in Kansas have tried different tricks to get more students to 
enroll, such as offering in-state tuition to out-of-state recruits.

But there’s another way to get more students to graduate — stop the ones already on campus from leaving.

“To
 be able to keep a student is far less expensive than being able to 
recruit a new student,” said Thomas Lane, K-State’s dean of students.

For
 years, universities have banked on in-person events to get students to 
stick around. The theory goes that silly games and food festivals make 
students feel connected to their school and less likely to leave.

Universities
 argue that if an in-person event keeps students from dropping out and 
wasting a semester of tuition dollars, then those events should keep 
happening — even in a pandemic.

“I don’t think any student starts
 off their higher education journey thinking that they don’t want to be 
on that journey at that some time next year,” Lane said.

Universities have
 shifted many of their events online. But a videoconference session 
isn’t much of a party. It can’t replicate meeting face-to-face.

“Zoom
 is not a replacement for those social events,” said Rob Danzman, a 
mental health counselor in Indiana. “We miss a lot when we’re not in 
person.”

There’s also the “<a href="https://news.northeastern.edu/2020/05/11/zoom-fatigue-is-real-heres-why-youre-feeling-it-and-what-you-can-do-about-it/" target="_blank">Zoom fatigue</a>.”
 With students taking a large portion of their classes online, getting 
them to hop onto yet another video event is a tough sell.

Kansas 
schools have been trying to offer a mix of both, to satisfy the students
 itching for that in-person interaction and those uncomfortable with 
gathering in the flesh. Wichita State let students watch the Clash of 
the Colleges — a collection of absurd competitions — at home or join in 
with virtual games.

Colleges have been dealing with <a href="https://www.npr.org/2009/10/19/113835383/colleges-see-rise-in-mental-health-issues" target="_blank">mental health issues</a> on campus for more than a decade. Stress. Anxiety. Loneliness. Last year, one doctor called it an <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/05/28/727509438/college-students-and-their-parents-face-a-campus-mental-health-epidemic" target="_blank">epidemic</a>.

Health experts worry those problems will worsen this fall.

“Social isolation kills people very easily,” Danzman said.

Some
 students were already feeling socially isolated before the pandemic. 
Now they say making new friends is a lot more difficult when you only 
see your classmates on a screen.

“I definitely am missing out on 
actually sitting next to people in my classes and making small talk,” 
said Ashley Thompson, a freshman at Wichita State. “It’s hard to make 
those connections.”

Students also said it’s difficult making friends even on campus with desks kept six feet apart.

Universities
 worry that removing all in-person events will further cut off students 
from each other and only deepen the mental health crisis.

Since opening up, 
universities have seen a rapid increase in coronavirus cases. 
Universities have been pointing at fraternities and sororities for 
holding big parties that spread the coronavirus. As of Friday, colleges 
and universities had 27 outbreaks, many linked to Greek organizations.

Most students plan on skipping the parties this year, according to a <a href="https://www.axios.com/college-students-return-campus-poll-fc32654f-39e1-4d69-9e90-f2c54f8fba48.html" target="_blank">national survey</a> conducted before school began. But a viral <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article245177585.html" target="_blank">video</a> showed a large, mask-free gathering at one KU fraternity.

Schools say if they don’t offer students a safe alternative, they’ll continue to find riskier ways to meet up.

Universities
 are taking precautions with their events — limiting sizes, requiring 
face masks and keeping most events outside. Still, even with these 
steps, schools can’t guarantee these events won’t further spread the 
virus.

“Anytime you get anybody together right now that is a 
wildcard,” said Rachel Kohman, the senior director of Emporia State’s 
Center for Student Involvement. “But if we aren’t offering some safe, 
in-person opportunities for our students, then the likelihood that 
things we have zero control over … are going to inherently increase.”

Stephan Bisaha reports on education and young adult life for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/stevebisaha">@SteveBisaha</a>
 or email him at bisaha@kmuw.org. The Kansas News Service is a
 collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public
 Radio focused on the health and well-being of Kansans, their 
communities and civic life.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599686489270.png" alt=" Wichita State University students gathered at Cessna Stadium to compete in the annual Clash of the Colleges. This year the bleachers were left empty. Stephan Bisaha / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Wichita State University students gathered at Cessna Stadium to compete in the annual Clash of the Colleges. This year the bleachers were left empty. Stephan Bisaha / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By STEPHAN BISAHA <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/why-kansas-colleges-are-still-holding-film-nights-and-relay-races-amid-pandemic">Kansas News Service</a>WICHITA, Kansas — Universities don’t just sell the 
chance at an education. The whole college experience has been a key tool
 for keeping students around.Wichita State University budgeted <a href="https://www.wichita.edu/about/public_information/images/WSU_FY19_Operating_Budget.pdf" target="_blank">more than $1 million dollars</a> on ways for students to have fun on campus last year.But
 face masks and social distancing make it harder to pull off those 
in-person events built on the idea of bringing lots of students 
together. Even with those precautions, any gathering risks spreading the
 coronavirus. That’s caused universities in Kansas to cut back on their 
computer-free, real life physical activities.Yet colleges haven’t canceled all of campus life. Kansas State University has film screenings. Wichita State’s held relay races.Here are four reasons why universities still plan on holding in-person events.<h2>Keep students enrolled</h2>Across the country, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/12/16/787909495/fewer-students-are-going-to-college-heres-why-that-matters" target="_blank">fewer kids are going to college</a>.
 Schools in Kansas have tried different tricks to get more students to 
enroll, such as offering in-state tuition to out-of-state recruits.But there’s another way to get more students to graduate — stop the ones already on campus from leaving.“To
 be able to keep a student is far less expensive than being able to 
recruit a new student,” said Thomas Lane, K-State’s dean of students.For
 years, universities have banked on in-person events to get students to 
stick around. The theory goes that silly games and food festivals make 
students feel connected to their school and less likely to leave.Universities
 argue that if an in-person event keeps students from dropping out and 
wasting a semester of tuition dollars, then those events should keep 
happening — even in a pandemic.“I don’t think any student starts
 off their higher education journey thinking that they don’t want to be 
on that journey at that some time next year,” Lane said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599686552048.png" alt=" Students competed in relay events at Wichita State University’s Cessna Stadium during the first week back at school. Bleachers, crowded in past years, were kept empty because of the coronavirus. Credit Stephan Bisaha / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Students competed in relay events at Wichita State University’s Cessna Stadium during the first week back at school. Bleachers, crowded in past years, were kept empty because of the coronavirus. Credit Stephan Bisaha / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Virtual events don’t cut it</h2>Universities have
 shifted many of their events online. But a videoconference session 
isn’t much of a party. It can’t replicate meeting face-to-face.“Zoom
 is not a replacement for those social events,” said Rob Danzman, a 
mental health counselor in Indiana. “We miss a lot when we’re not in 
person.”There’s also the “<a href="https://news.northeastern.edu/2020/05/11/zoom-fatigue-is-real-heres-why-youre-feeling-it-and-what-you-can-do-about-it/" target="_blank">Zoom fatigue</a>.”
 With students taking a large portion of their classes online, getting 
them to hop onto yet another video event is a tough sell.Kansas 
schools have been trying to offer a mix of both, to satisfy the students
 itching for that in-person interaction and those uncomfortable with 
gathering in the flesh. Wichita State let students watch the Clash of 
the Colleges — a collection of absurd competitions — at home or join in 
with virtual games.<h2>Mental health</h2>Colleges have been dealing with <a href="https://www.npr.org/2009/10/19/113835383/colleges-see-rise-in-mental-health-issues" target="_blank">mental health issues</a> on campus for more than a decade. Stress. Anxiety. Loneliness. Last year, one doctor called it an <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/05/28/727509438/college-students-and-their-parents-face-a-campus-mental-health-epidemic" target="_blank">epidemic</a>.Health experts worry those problems will worsen this fall.“Social isolation kills people very easily,” Danzman said.Some
 students were already feeling socially isolated before the pandemic. 
Now they say making new friends is a lot more difficult when you only 
see your classmates on a screen.“I definitely am missing out on 
actually sitting next to people in my classes and making small talk,” 
said Ashley Thompson, a freshman at Wichita State. “It’s hard to make 
those connections.”Students also said it’s difficult making friends even on campus with desks kept six feet apart.Universities
 worry that removing all in-person events will further cut off students 
from each other and only deepen the mental health crisis.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599686592245.png" alt=" Students were required to wash their hands before taking and leaving the field during Wichita State University’s Clash of the Colleges. Credit Stephan Bisaha / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Students were required to wash their hands before taking and leaving the field during Wichita State University’s Clash of the Colleges. Credit Stephan Bisaha / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Safer than a kegger</h2>Since opening up, 
universities have seen a rapid increase in coronavirus cases. 
Universities have been pointing at fraternities and sororities for 
holding big parties that spread the coronavirus. As of Friday, colleges 
and universities had 27 outbreaks, many linked to Greek organizations.Most students plan on skipping the parties this year, according to a <a href="https://www.axios.com/college-students-return-campus-poll-fc32654f-39e1-4d69-9e90-f2c54f8fba48.html" target="_blank">national survey</a> conducted before school began. But a viral <a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article245177585.html" target="_blank">video</a> showed a large, mask-free gathering at one KU fraternity.Schools say if they don’t offer students a safe alternative, they’ll continue to find riskier ways to meet up.Universities
 are taking precautions with their events — limiting sizes, requiring 
face masks and keeping most events outside. Still, even with these 
steps, schools can’t guarantee these events won’t further spread the 
virus.“Anytime you get anybody together right now that is a 
wildcard,” said Rachel Kohman, the senior director of Emporia State’s 
Center for Student Involvement. “But if we aren’t offering some safe, 
in-person opportunities for our students, then the likelihood that 
things we have zero control over … are going to inherently increase.”Stephan Bisaha reports on education and young adult life for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/stevebisaha">@SteveBisaha</a>
 or email him at bisaha@kmuw.org. The Kansas News Service is a
 collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public
 Radio focused on the health and well-being of Kansans, their 
communities and civic life.

Why Kan. colleges are still holding film nights, relay races amid pandemic

BARTON COUNTY —State health officials have identified multiple positive cases of COVID-19 involving officers in the Great Bend Police Department, according to a media release from the city.

Individuals who had contact with law enforcement beginning September 4th through September 9th may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus.

The City of Great Bend encourages those who were in contact with officers during the identified days to monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days. Symptoms include fever, cough, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, diarrhea, and/or shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.

If symptoms develop, please stay home and contact your health care provider for guidance on testing. In an emergency, please call 911 and notify first responders that you were potentially exposed to COVID-19.

For more information and updates from the city visit greatbendks.net.

BARTON COUNTY —State health officials have identified multiple positive cases of COVID-19 involving officers in the Great Bend Police Department, according to a media release from the city.Individuals who had contact with law enforcement beginning September 4th through September 9th may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus.The City of Great Bend encourages those who were in contact with officers during the identified days to monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days. Symptoms include fever, cough, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, diarrhea, and/or shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.If symptoms develop, please stay home and contact your health care provider for guidance on testing. In an emergency, please call 911 and notify first responders that you were potentially exposed to COVID-19.For more information and updates from the city visit greatbendks.net.

KDHE: Multiple Great Bend police officers positive for COVID-19

WICHITA, KAN. – The FBI investigated a social media threat involving a Kansas man.

As a result of the investigation, Gage H. Clausen, 20, Cheney, Kan., is charged with one count of making a threat via interstate communications, according to the United State's Attorney.&nbsp; The crime is alleged to have occurred June 27, in Cheney, Kansas.

Clausen is alleged to have used social media to send a threat to a 15-year-old student at Derby School. The threat was couched in racist language and referred to the victim as a “filthy farm animal.”

&nbsp;If convicted, Clausen could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

WICHITA, KAN. – The FBI investigated a social media threat involving a Kansas man.As a result of the investigation, Gage H. Clausen, 20, Cheney, Kan., is charged with one count of making a threat via interstate communications, according to the United State's Attorney.&nbsp; The crime is alleged to have occurred June 27, in Cheney, Kansas.Clausen is alleged to have used social media to send a threat to a 15-year-old student at Derby School. The threat was couched in racist language and referred to the victim as a “filthy farm animal.”&nbsp;If convicted, Clausen could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.&nbsp;

Indictment: Kan. man threatened Black teen in racist rant

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is forecast to harvest a record soybean crop this fall, but corn production in the state is expected to be down from last year. 

The National Agricultural Statistics Service said Friday in its monthly crop update that the state’s corn expected corn production of 782 million bushels is down 2% from a year ago. 

Soybean production in the state is forecast at a record 231 million bushels, up 24% from last year. Kansas growers are also expected to harvest 217 million bushels of sorghum for grain, up 6% from a year ago.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is forecast to harvest a record soybean crop this fall, but corn production in the state is expected to be down from last year. The National Agricultural Statistics Service said Friday in its monthly crop update that the state’s corn expected corn production of 782 million bushels is down 2% from a year ago. Soybean production in the state is forecast at a record 231 million bushels, up 24% from last year. Kansas growers are also expected to harvest 217 million bushels of sorghum for grain, up 6% from a year ago.

Report: Kansas forecast to harvest record soybean crop

LIBERTY, Mo. (AP) — A mostly Republican state council voted Friday to extend Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s emergency declaration providing services to combat the coronavirus in Kansas, but only after language was added clarifying that the governor doesn’t intend to use her authority to close businesses as she did in the spring.

The State Finance Council’s unanimous vote came after a lengthy, contentious meeting during which Kelly, a Democrat, and the GOP members accused each other of playing politics with the declaration.

The resolution, which had been scheduled to expire Tuesday, will now be in effect until at least Oct. 31, when Kelly could seek another extension.

Kelly and Adjutant General David Weishaar warned before the vote that letting the declaration expire would stop the state from providing many services, including the delivery of personal protective equipment and assistance with community-based testing.

Republican members insisted on stipulating that the extension had to clarify that Kelly would not close businesses as she did in April.

Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning, a Republican from Overland Park, said conditions have changed since the early days of the pandemic and that residents need to know the governor’s and lawmakers’ intentions to “calm everything down.”

“We need to let the folks back home, the businesses, know that we have no intention of shutting down and if there’s a hot spot, the local folks will handle that hot spot. ... They’re not comfortable right now, they’ve lived through a nightmare. And we need to give the some common sense assurance,” he said.

Kelly said repeatedly during the meeting that she would not order businesses to close again because state and health officials have better data, information and procedures than they did in the spring and most businesses had cooperated with efforts to slow the virus.

When GOP members continued to push for new language in the resolution, Kelly accused them of using the issue for political gain in an election year, rather than ensuring the state can continue to provide services without interruption.

“There is so much at stake here,” she said. “Please do not let your ideology or your dislike for me as governor or the fact that I’m a Democrat (affect the vote). Please, let’s vote for the people, let’s not vote for politics.”

At a news conference after the meeting, House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr. said the inserted language was important.

“We’ve got to a situation where we’re picking winners and losers, determined who was essential and who wasn’t, allowing a lot of our large stores remain open when our small ones couldn’t. We couldn’t have that repeated,” Ryckman said.

Some Republicans accused Kelly of breaking rules by vetoing a motion that sought to add different language to the declaration.

Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who attended the news conference, said he’s “sure there will be a large group of lawyers” looking into whether Kelly’s veto was legal.

As of Friday, Kansas health officials had reported 48,386 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 511 deaths from the disease since the start of the pandemic.

Topeka — The two hour State Finance Council meeting lasted much longer than expected. The republican members of the committee forced the governor to include language in the declaration that confirms she would not close businesses again.

&nbsp;The language written during a recess by the governor's attorney Clay Britton said, "Any restrictions regarding closure of businesses in the Kansas Emergency Management Act remain in place to the extent described in the Kansas Emergency Management Act and it is the governors intention not to use her authority to close businesses."

With that language, the council voted unanimously to extend the declaration until October 15.&nbsp; It was set to expire on Tuesday.

 When asked for her vote, Senator Susan Wagle criticized the governor on how she chaired the meeting and "broke rules."

Topeka —&nbsp;The State Finance Council meeting on whether to extend the current COVID-19 emergency declaration is in its third hour. The issue involves including language in the declaration that assures the republican members of the committee the governor won't shut down businesses again.

<a href="http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/">Click here to listen&nbsp;</a>to the meeting that resumed at 1p.m.

Republican Senator Jim Denning asked the governor's attorney if there is language they can agree on that says Kelly absolutely won't exercise power to close businesses. 

Despite refusing the suggestion earlier Friday, Kelly said she is comfortable including such language. The committee went into recess until just after 1p.m. to give the state's chief counsel time to draft language for consideration.

Topeka —The State Finance Council meeting on whether to extend the current COVID-19 emergency declaration lasted&nbsp; longer than the original scheduled two hours.

<a href="http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/">Click here to listen&nbsp;</a>to the meeting that resumes at noon.

The discussion centered around asking the governor to include language in the declaration that would prevent Kelly from shutting down business again. The governor said she does not intend to shut down businesses again and refused to include the language.&nbsp;

Senate president Susan Wagle wanted to delay the vote until the council could meet in person on Monday afternoon. Not all members of the council were able to fit that meeting into their schedules. Wagle then suggested the council return at 3p.m. Friday after getting legal assistance on the discussion.

After several attempts to vote on various motions, the governor asked the council to&nbsp; vote for the people and not play politics.&nbsp; She then asked for a 30 minute recess and return at noon.

Kelly warned Thursday that if the extension isn't granted, Kansans will not be able to access services they need to ensure their health and safety.

Topeka, Kan. (AP) — Kansas will face a dramatic reduction in coronavirus-related services that would put residents’ lives at risk if a state council does not approve extending a state disaster declaration, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said Thursday.

The State Finance Council, which is dominated by Republicans, is scheduled to meet Friday to discuss extending the declaration before it expires on Tuesday.

<a href="http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/">Click here to listen </a>to the meeting that begins at 10a.m.

Failure to extend the declaration will prevent the state from leveraging critical resources, Kelly said at a news conference.

“In other words, these nine members of the State Finance Council will effectively decide if the nearly 3 million people living in our state will be able to access the tools they need to stay healthy, stay fed, stay in their homes as the virus continues to rage around us,” the Democratic governor said.

Kansas Adjutant General David Weishaar, who oversees the state’s emergency response, detailed how several emergency agencies have provided services throughout the pandemic, which he said would end if the declaration is not extended.

He said extending the declaration would ensure “uninterrupted deployment” of several services, such personal protective equipment, meals packed for food banks, and community-based testing. And the state emergency command center, which is currently staffed seven days a week, would be cut back to a staff duty officer answering calls if the declaration is not extended, he said

Kelly said Deborah Birx, a top coronavirus advisor for the White House, told her and several local health and elected officials Thursday that Kansas remains a red zone for coronavirus cases and is eighth in the nation in positivity in COVID-19 cases. Birx urged the officials to impose mitigation efforts, which she said is the only way to contain the virus until a vaccine is approved.

A spokeswoman for Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle, a Republican, said she would not respond to the governor’s comment until Friday’s meeting.

Kelly said forcing state and local governments to further reduce their budgets when revenue has already dropped will hamper the state’s coronavirus response and make Kansas more vulnerable in future crises.

“We will need significantly more support from our federal partners to protect our institutions from drastic and damaging cuts,” Kelly said.

Earlier Thursday, Kelly testified remotely before the U.S. House Financial Services Committee that the state faces “drastic and damaging” cuts if the federal government does not provide more funds in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Kansas has already received $1.2 billion in aid, which generally must be used for pandemic-related needs, not to help overall budgets.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599772905858.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly as she finished her Thursday news conference." />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly as she finished her Thursday news conference.</figcaption>
 </figure>LIBERTY, Mo. (AP) — A mostly Republican state council voted Friday to extend Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s emergency declaration providing services to combat the coronavirus in Kansas, but only after language was added clarifying that the governor doesn’t intend to use her authority to close businesses as she did in the spring.The State Finance Council’s unanimous vote came after a lengthy, contentious meeting during which Kelly, a Democrat, and the GOP members accused each other of playing politics with the declaration.The resolution, which had been scheduled to expire Tuesday, will now be in effect until at least Oct. 31, when Kelly could seek another extension.Kelly and Adjutant General David Weishaar warned before the vote that letting the declaration expire would stop the state from providing many services, including the delivery of personal protective equipment and assistance with community-based testing.Republican members insisted on stipulating that the extension had to clarify that Kelly would not close businesses as she did in April.Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning, a Republican from Overland Park, said conditions have changed since the early days of the pandemic and that residents need to know the governor’s and lawmakers’ intentions to “calm everything down.”“We need to let the folks back home, the businesses, know that we have no intention of shutting down and if there’s a hot spot, the local folks will handle that hot spot. ... They’re not comfortable right now, they’ve lived through a nightmare. And we need to give the some common sense assurance,” he said.Kelly said repeatedly during the meeting that she would not order businesses to close again because state and health officials have better data, information and procedures than they did in the spring and most businesses had cooperated with efforts to slow the virus.When GOP members continued to push for new language in the resolution, Kelly accused them of using the issue for political gain in an election year, rather than ensuring the state can continue to provide services without interruption.“There is so much at stake here,” she said. “Please do not let your ideology or your dislike for me as governor or the fact that I’m a Democrat (affect the vote). Please, let’s vote for the people, let’s not vote for politics.”At a news conference after the meeting, House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr. said the inserted language was important.“We’ve got to a situation where we’re picking winners and losers, determined who was essential and who wasn’t, allowing a lot of our large stores remain open when our small ones couldn’t. We couldn’t have that repeated,” Ryckman said.Some Republicans accused Kelly of breaking rules by vetoing a motion that sought to add different language to the declaration.Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who attended the news conference, said he’s “sure there will be a large group of lawyers” looking into whether Kelly’s veto was legal.As of Friday, Kansas health officials had reported 48,386 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 511 deaths from the disease since the start of the pandemic.——-Topeka — The two hour State Finance Council meeting lasted much longer than expected. The republican members of the committee forced the governor to include language in the declaration that confirms she would not close businesses again.&nbsp;The language written during a recess by the governor's attorney Clay Britton said, "Any restrictions regarding closure of businesses in the Kansas Emergency Management Act remain in place to the extent described in the Kansas Emergency Management Act and it is the governors intention not to use her authority to close businesses."With that language, the council voted unanimously to extend the declaration until October 15.&nbsp; It was set to expire on Tuesday. When asked for her vote, Senator Susan Wagle criticized the governor on how she chaired the meeting and "broke rules."Kelly did not respond.--------------Topeka —&nbsp;The State Finance Council meeting on whether to extend the current COVID-19 emergency declaration is in its third hour. The issue involves including language in the declaration that assures the republican members of the committee the governor won't shut down businesses again.<a href="http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/">Click here to listen&nbsp;</a>to the meeting that resumed at 1p.m.Republican Senator Jim Denning asked the governor's attorney if there is language they can agree on that says Kelly absolutely won't exercise power to close businesses. Despite refusing the suggestion earlier Friday, Kelly said she is comfortable including such language. The committee went into recess until just after 1p.m. to give the state's chief counsel time to draft language for consideration.------Topeka —The State Finance Council meeting on whether to extend the current COVID-19 emergency declaration lasted&nbsp; longer than the original scheduled two hours.<a href="http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/">Click here to listen&nbsp;</a>to the meeting that resumes at noon.The discussion centered around asking the governor to include language in the declaration that would prevent Kelly from shutting down business again. The governor said she does not intend to shut down businesses again and refused to include the language.&nbsp;Senate president Susan Wagle wanted to delay the vote until the council could meet in person on Monday afternoon. Not all members of the council were able to fit that meeting into their schedules. Wagle then suggested the council return at 3p.m. Friday after getting legal assistance on the discussion.After several attempts to vote on various motions, the governor asked the council to&nbsp; vote for the people and not play politics.&nbsp; She then asked for a 30 minute recess and return at noon.Kelly warned Thursday that if the extension isn't granted, Kansans will not be able to access services they need to ensure their health and safety.--------Topeka, Kan. (AP) — Kansas will face a dramatic reduction in coronavirus-related services that would put residents’ lives at risk if a state council does not approve extending a state disaster declaration, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said Thursday.The State Finance Council, which is dominated by Republicans, is scheduled to meet Friday to discuss extending the declaration before it expires on Tuesday.<a href="http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/">Click here to listen </a>to the meeting that begins at 10a.m.Failure to extend the declaration will prevent the state from leveraging critical resources, Kelly said at a news conference.“In other words, these nine members of the State Finance Council will effectively decide if the nearly 3 million people living in our state will be able to access the tools they need to stay healthy, stay fed, stay in their homes as the virus continues to rage around us,” the Democratic governor said.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F551726892300694%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Kansas Adjutant General David Weishaar, who oversees the state’s emergency response, detailed how several emergency agencies have provided services throughout the pandemic, which he said would end if the declaration is not extended.He said extending the declaration would ensure “uninterrupted deployment” of several services, such personal protective equipment, meals packed for food banks, and community-based testing. And the state emergency command center, which is currently staffed seven days a week, would be cut back to a staff duty officer answering calls if the declaration is not extended, he saidKelly said Deborah Birx, a top coronavirus advisor for the White House, told her and several local health and elected officials Thursday that Kansas remains a red zone for coronavirus cases and is eighth in the nation in positivity in COVID-19 cases. Birx urged the officials to impose mitigation efforts, which she said is the only way to contain the virus until a vaccine is approved.A spokeswoman for Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle, a Republican, said she would not respond to the governor’s comment until Friday’s meeting.Kelly said forcing state and local governments to further reduce their budgets when revenue has already dropped will hamper the state’s coronavirus response and make Kansas more vulnerable in future crises.“We will need significantly more support from our federal partners to protect our institutions from drastic and damaging cuts,” Kelly said.Earlier Thursday, Kelly testified remotely before the U.S. House Financial Services Committee that the state faces “drastic and damaging” cuts if the federal government does not provide more funds in response to the coronavirus pandemic.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599755208571.png" alt="Governor Laura Kelly during her virtual testimony Thursday" />
 <figcaption>Governor Laura Kelly during her virtual testimony Thursday</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas has already received $1.2 billion in aid, which generally must be used for pandemic-related needs, not to help overall budgets.

Kan. emergency declaration will continue for another month

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court on Friday threw out a first-degree premeditated murder conviction after finding that a Grant County judge erred in refusing to give jurors the requested instructions of self-defense and involuntary manslaughter.

The court sent the case of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kscourts.org/KSCourts/media/KsCourts/Opinions/118894.pdf?ext=.pdf" target="_blank">Michael Alan Keyes</a>&nbsp;back to Grant County District Court. In its ruling, the Supreme Court said whether Keyes used self-defense boils down to a “credibility question.”

“Without the jury making this credibility determination, we cannot be sure that the court’s failure to instruct the jury on self-defense did not affect the outcome of this trial,” according to the ruling.

Keyes was serving a life sentence with no possibility of parole for 50 years after his conviction in the 2016 death of Jimmy Martin.

Keyes testified at his trial that he believed it was necessary to kill Martin in order to defend himself. He told jurors he feared for his life when Martin came at him with a knife threatening to kill him.

His testimony, if believed, could demonstrate that a reasonable person would have perceived the use of deadly force in self-defense as necessary, the court said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599855045647.png" alt="Keyes photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Keyes photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court on Friday threw out a first-degree premeditated murder conviction after finding that a Grant County judge erred in refusing to give jurors the requested instructions of self-defense and involuntary manslaughter.The court sent the case of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kscourts.org/KSCourts/media/KsCourts/Opinions/118894.pdf?ext=.pdf" target="_blank">Michael Alan Keyes</a>&nbsp;back to Grant County District Court. In its ruling, the Supreme Court said whether Keyes used self-defense boils down to a “credibility question.”“Without the jury making this credibility determination, we cannot be sure that the court’s failure to instruct the jury on self-defense did not affect the outcome of this trial,” according to the ruling.Keyes was serving a life sentence with no possibility of parole for 50 years after his conviction in the 2016 death of Jimmy Martin.Keyes testified at his trial that he believed it was necessary to kill Martin in order to defend himself. He told jurors he feared for his life when Martin came at him with a knife threatening to kill him.His testimony, if believed, could demonstrate that a reasonable person would have perceived the use of deadly force in self-defense as necessary, the court said.

Kansas Supreme Court tosses man's 2016 murder conviction

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 976 to a total of 48,386 the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 511, an increase of 16.

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

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 976 to a total of 48,386 the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 511, an increase of 16.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599843927147.png" alt="Friday Sept. 11, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday Sept. 11, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

KANSAS CITY&nbsp; (AP) — A Kansas City teenager has been charged with murder and other counts in a June shooting that killed one person and injured two others, police said.

Alvin Muldrew III, 17, is charged in Jackson County Circuit Court with second-degree murder, four counts of armed criminal action, two counts of assault and unlawful use of a weapon.

The charges involve a June 17 shooting in Kansas City that killed Deveon Edward and injured two women. Police say all three were in a car when they were shot. Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a marijuana deal.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599835628002.png" alt="Muldrew" />
 <figcaption>Muldrew</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY&nbsp; (AP) — A Kansas City teenager has been charged with murder and other counts in a June shooting that killed one person and injured two others, police said.Alvin Muldrew III, 17, is charged in Jackson County Circuit Court with second-degree murder, four counts of armed criminal action, two counts of assault and unlawful use of a weapon.The charges involve a June 17 shooting in Kansas City that killed Deveon Edward and injured two women. Police say all three were in a car when they were shot. Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a marijuana deal.

Kansas City teen charged in fatal marijuana deal shooting

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The National Weather Service says several low temperature and a snow record across Kansas have been broken this week as unseasonably cold weather moved across the region. National Weather Service meteorologist Andy Kleinsasser say that a large weather system over the Rockies this week pushed an unprecedented cold front into Kansas.

Among new records were a low of 47 degrees in Wichita on Tuesday, where the previous record had been 48 in 1890, and low of 41 degrees in Russell, where the previous record was 44 in 1962.

 Goodland also saw its earliest measurable snow on record Wednesday with about a half-inch.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The National Weather Service says several low temperature and a snow record across Kansas have been broken this week as unseasonably cold weather moved across the region. National Weather Service meteorologist Andy Kleinsasser say that a large weather system over the Rockies this week pushed an unprecedented cold front into Kansas.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The Tri-State area set some records today with the lowest maximum temperatures for the date of Sept. 9th. Here is a list of today&#39;s maximum temperatures thus far as some locations may not have reached their high just yet. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COwx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COwx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KSwx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KSwx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NEwx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NEwx</a> <a href="https://t.co/nDqc7bcrOU">pic.twitter.com/nDqc7bcrOU</a>&mdash; NWS Goodland (@NWSGoodland) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSGoodland/status/1303881954530525190?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Among new records were a low of 47 degrees in Wichita on Tuesday, where the previous record had been 48 in 1890, and low of 41 degrees in Russell, where the previous record was 44 in 1962.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FNWSGoodland%2Fposts%2F3324095384341557&width=500" width="500" height="510" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div> Goodland also saw its earliest measurable snow on record Wednesday with about a half-inch.

Several low temp, snow records broken across Kansas

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans are commemorating 9/11 with tributes that have been altered by coronavirus precautions and woven into the presidential campaign, drawing both President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden to pay respects at the same memorial without crossing paths.

in recognition of Patriot Day and in accordance with a proclamation from the White House, Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags throughout the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff for the entire day on Friday.

In New York, a dispute over coronavirus-safety precautions is leading to split-screen remembrances Friday, one at the Sept. 11 memorial plaza at the World Trade Center and another on a nearby corner. The Pentagon’s observance will be so restricted that not even victims’ families can attend, though small groups can visit the memorial there later in the day.

Trump and Biden are both headed — at different times — to the Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Trump is speaking at the morning ceremony, the White House said. Biden plans to pay respects there in the afternoon after attending the observance at the 9/11 memorial in New York.

Meanwhile, Vice President Mike Pence is also due at ground zero — and then at the alternate ceremony a few blocks away.

In short, the anniversary of 9/11 is a complicated occasion in a maelstrom of a year, as the U.S. grapples with a health crisis, searches its soul over racial injustice and prepares to choose a leader to chart a path forward.

Still, 9/11 families say it’s important for the nation to pause and remember the hijacked-plane attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people at the trade center, at the Pentagon and near Shanksville on Sept. 11, 2001, shaping American policy, perceptions of safety and daily life in places from airports to office buildings.

“I know that the heart of America beats on 9/11 and, of course, thinks about that tragic day. I don’t think that people forget,” says Anthoula Katsimatides, who lost her brother John and is now on the board of the National Sept. 11 Memorial &amp; Museum.

Friday will mark Trump’s second time observing the 9/11 anniversary at the Flight 93 memorial, where he made remarks in 2018. Biden spoke at the memorial’s dedication in 2011, when he was vice president.

The ground zero ceremony in New York has a longstanding custom of not allowing politicians to speak, though they can attend. Biden did so as vice president in 2010, and Trump as a candidate in 2016.

Though the candidates will be focused on the commemorations, the political significance of their focus on Shanksville is hard to ignore: Pennsylvania is a must-win state for both. Trump won it by less than a percentage point in 2016.

Around the country, some communities have canceled 9/11 commemorations because of the pandemic, while others are going ahead, sometimes with modifications.

The New York memorial is changing one of its ceremony’s central traditions: having relatives read the names of the dead, often adding poignant tributes.

Thousands of family members are still invited. But they’ll hear a recording of the names from speakers spread around the vast plaza, a plan that memorial leaders felt would avoid close contact at a stage but still allow families to remember their loved ones at the place where they died.

But some victims’ relatives felt the change robbed the observance of its emotional impact. A different 9/11-related group, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, set up its own, simultaneous ceremony a few blocks away, saying there’s no reason that people can’t recite names while keeping a safe distance.

The two organizations also tussled over the Tribute in Light, a pair of powerful beams that shine into the night sky near the trade center and evoke its fallen twin towers. The 9/11 memorial initially canceled the display, citing virus-safety concerns for the installation crew. After the Tunnel to Towers Foundation vowed to put up the lights instead, the memorial changed course with help from its chairman, former Mayor Mike Bloomberg, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Tunnel to Towers, meanwhile, arranged to display single beams for the first time at the Shanksville memorial and the Pentagon.

Over the years, the anniversary also has become a day for volunteering. Because of the pandemic, the&nbsp;<a href="https://911day.org/" target="_blank">9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance&nbsp;</a>organization is encouraging people this year to make donations or take other actions that can be accomplished at home.

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans are commemorating 9/11 with tributes that have been altered by coronavirus precautions and woven into the presidential campaign, drawing both President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden to pay respects at the same memorial without crossing paths.in recognition of Patriot Day and in accordance with a proclamation from the White House, Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags throughout the State of Kansas to be flown at half-staff for the entire day on Friday.In New York, a dispute over coronavirus-safety precautions is leading to split-screen remembrances Friday, one at the Sept. 11 memorial plaza at the World Trade Center and another on a nearby corner. The Pentagon’s observance will be so restricted that not even victims’ families can attend, though small groups can visit the memorial there later in the day.Trump and Biden are both headed — at different times — to the Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.Trump is speaking at the morning ceremony, the White House said. Biden plans to pay respects there in the afternoon after attending the observance at the 9/11 memorial in New York.Meanwhile, Vice President Mike Pence is also due at ground zero — and then at the alternate ceremony a few blocks away.In short, the anniversary of 9/11 is a complicated occasion in a maelstrom of a year, as the U.S. grapples with a health crisis, searches its soul over racial injustice and prepares to choose a leader to chart a path forward.Still, 9/11 families say it’s important for the nation to pause and remember the hijacked-plane attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people at the trade center, at the Pentagon and near Shanksville on Sept. 11, 2001, shaping American policy, perceptions of safety and daily life in places from airports to office buildings.“I know that the heart of America beats on 9/11 and, of course, thinks about that tragic day. I don’t think that people forget,” says Anthoula Katsimatides, who lost her brother John and is now on the board of the National Sept. 11 Memorial &amp; Museum.Friday will mark Trump’s second time observing the 9/11 anniversary at the Flight 93 memorial, where he made remarks in 2018. Biden spoke at the memorial’s dedication in 2011, when he was vice president.The ground zero ceremony in New York has a longstanding custom of not allowing politicians to speak, though they can attend. Biden did so as vice president in 2010, and Trump as a candidate in 2016.Though the candidates will be focused on the commemorations, the political significance of their focus on Shanksville is hard to ignore: Pennsylvania is a must-win state for both. Trump won it by less than a percentage point in 2016.Around the country, some communities have canceled 9/11 commemorations because of the pandemic, while others are going ahead, sometimes with modifications.The New York memorial is changing one of its ceremony’s central traditions: having relatives read the names of the dead, often adding poignant tributes.Thousands of family members are still invited. But they’ll hear a recording of the names from speakers spread around the vast plaza, a plan that memorial leaders felt would avoid close contact at a stage but still allow families to remember their loved ones at the place where they died.But some victims’ relatives felt the change robbed the observance of its emotional impact. A different 9/11-related group, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, set up its own, simultaneous ceremony a few blocks away, saying there’s no reason that people can’t recite names while keeping a safe distance.The two organizations also tussled over the Tribute in Light, a pair of powerful beams that shine into the night sky near the trade center and evoke its fallen twin towers. The 9/11 memorial initially canceled the display, citing virus-safety concerns for the installation crew. After the Tunnel to Towers Foundation vowed to put up the lights instead, the memorial changed course with help from its chairman, former Mayor Mike Bloomberg, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo.Tunnel to Towers, meanwhile, arranged to display single beams for the first time at the Shanksville memorial and the Pentagon.Over the years, the anniversary also has become a day for volunteering. Because of the pandemic, the&nbsp;<a href="https://911day.org/" target="_blank">9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance&nbsp;</a>organization is encouraging people this year to make donations or take other actions that can be accomplished at home.___

US remembers 9/11 as pandemic changes tribute traditions

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted Kansas felon on multiple charges after a high-speed chase.

Just after 11:30 a.m. Thursday, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Kansas Highway Patrol and Topeka Police Department with taking a suspect into custody following a pursuit. The pursuit was initiated when the suspect, Richard W. Meier II, 26 of Topeka, was driving a stolen white Ford F250 pickup truck from the 1600 block of SW Central Part Avenue, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

The pursuit continued through the south part of Topeka and into rural Shawnee County.

Multiple law enforcement officers assisted in the termination of the pursuit near Interstate 470 and SW Burlingame Road.

Meier was taken into custody by the Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for two felony warrants and one misdemeanor warrant out of Shawnee County along with a felony warrant through the United States Marshal’s Service. 

Meier is facing multiple charges from the Kansas Highway Patrol, including aggravated assault, possession of methamphetamine, driving under the influence and more, according to Christian.

Meier has numerous previous convictions that include theft, criminal threat, battery on a university/campus police officer, robbery, making false writing, obstruction, assault on a law enforcement officer, criminal threat, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

If anyone sustained damage to their vehicles or was nearly struck during this pursuit, please contact Trooper Dobler at Justin.Dobler@KS.GOV. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599821374958.png" alt="Meier photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Meier photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted Kansas felon on multiple charges after a high-speed chase.Just after 11:30 a.m. Thursday, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Kansas Highway Patrol and Topeka Police Department with taking a suspect into custody following a pursuit. The pursuit was initiated when the suspect, Richard W. Meier II, 26 of Topeka, was driving a stolen white Ford F250 pickup truck from the 1600 block of SW Central Part Avenue, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.The pursuit continued through the south part of Topeka and into rural Shawnee County.Multiple law enforcement officers assisted in the termination of the pursuit near Interstate 470 and SW Burlingame Road.Meier was taken into custody by the Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections for two felony warrants and one misdemeanor warrant out of Shawnee County along with a felony warrant through the United States Marshal’s Service. Meier is facing multiple charges from the Kansas Highway Patrol, including aggravated assault, possession of methamphetamine, driving under the influence and more, according to Christian.Meier has numerous previous convictions that include theft, criminal threat, battery on a university/campus police officer, robbery, making false writing, obstruction, assault on a law enforcement officer, criminal threat, flee or attempt to elude law enforcement and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.If anyone sustained damage to their vehicles or was nearly struck during this pursuit, please contact Trooper Dobler at Justin.Dobler@KS.GOV.

Kan. man wanted by US Marshals captured driving stolen pickup

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Federal regulators said Thursday they have cited Smithfield Foods for failing to protect employees from exposure to the coronavirus at the company’s Sioux Falls plant, an early hot spot for virus infections that hobbled American meatpacking plants.

The nature and timing of the violation wasn’t immediately clear from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, but the announcement included the latest assessment of the virus’ impact in Sioux Falls. Four plant workers were killed by the virus during the spring and at least 1,294 workers were sickened. Only two deaths among employees had been previously known.

Smithfield Foods, which is based in Virginia, said it planned to contest the citation and $13,494 fine. Keira Lombardo, a spokeswoman for the company, called the citation “wholly without merit” in a statement and argued the company had taken “extraordinary measures” to protect employees from infections.

OSHA conducted an investigation that spanned months as it conducted 60 interviews and reviewed over 20,000 pages of documents, according to Lombardo. She blamed coronavirus infections in Sioux Falls for causing the outbreak at the plant

Employees at the plant have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/26bf8fc20f2873d9701fd2ea95f87be4">said Smithfield did not do enoug</a>&nbsp;h to prevent inspections in the plant, where workers labored elbow-to-elbow as they processed nearly 5% of the country’s pork. The union at the plant, the United Food and Commercial Workers, has said that it had been attempting to negotiate for more coronavirus protections leading up to the outbreak. After cases kept accumulating, Smithfield shuttered its plant for nearly three weeks.

But large outbreaks at meatpacking plants across the nation soon followed. Meatpackers have aggressively defended their role in providing the nation’s food supply, warning that if plants closed because of the pandemic, grocery stores shelves would see shortages of meat.

After President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fb38a5a53ac1a92039bc0a4b545b19d7">signed an executive order in Apri</a>&nbsp;l deeming meatpacking plants as critical infrastructure, they mostly stayed open. The country’s slaughterhouses rebounded, and commercial red meat and pork production for this year has even exceeded last year, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

OSHA began investigating Smithfield’s Sioux Falls plant on April 20, shortly after a team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention toured the facility to offer recommendations on how meatpacking plants could operate during the pandemic.

Smithfield CEO Kenneth Sullivan has defended how the company handled the virus outbreak, sending a blistering, 14-page letter to Senate Democrats Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker after they inquired into how meatpackers have protected workers. Hundreds of employees signed on to Sullivan’s response. The company has asked its employees to sign onto&nbsp;<a href="https://smithfield.checkboxonline.com/employee-pledge" target="_blank">a statement</a>&nbsp;saying it took “aggressive measures” to protect their health.

But Nancy Reynoza, who runs a Latino community organization in Sioux Falls and organized protests for better conditions at Smithfield, said the company could still do more to keep its facilities such as bathrooms and locker rooms clean, though she acknowledged conditions have improved since the April outbreak.

She said the fine from OSHA was a “joke if you think of the people that got sick.”

Marc Perrone, the president of United Food and Commercial Workers, said, “This so-called ‘fine’ is a slap on the wrist for Smithfield, and a slap in the face of the thousands of American meatpacking workers who have been putting their lives on the line to help feed America since the beginning of this pandemic.”

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Federal regulators said Thursday they have cited Smithfield Foods for failing to protect employees from exposure to the coronavirus at the company’s Sioux Falls plant, an early hot spot for virus infections that hobbled American meatpacking plants.The nature and timing of the violation wasn’t immediately clear from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, but the announcement included the latest assessment of the virus’ impact in Sioux Falls. Four plant workers were killed by the virus during the spring and at least 1,294 workers were sickened. Only two deaths among employees had been previously known.Smithfield Foods, which is based in Virginia, said it planned to contest the citation and $13,494 fine. Keira Lombardo, a spokeswoman for the company, called the citation “wholly without merit” in a statement and argued the company had taken “extraordinary measures” to protect employees from infections.OSHA conducted an investigation that spanned months as it conducted 60 interviews and reviewed over 20,000 pages of documents, according to Lombardo. She blamed coronavirus infections in Sioux Falls for causing the outbreak at the plantEmployees at the plant have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/26bf8fc20f2873d9701fd2ea95f87be4">said Smithfield did not do enoug</a>&nbsp;h to prevent inspections in the plant, where workers labored elbow-to-elbow as they processed nearly 5% of the country’s pork. The union at the plant, the United Food and Commercial Workers, has said that it had been attempting to negotiate for more coronavirus protections leading up to the outbreak. After cases kept accumulating, Smithfield shuttered its plant for nearly three weeks.But large outbreaks at meatpacking plants across the nation soon followed. Meatpackers have aggressively defended their role in providing the nation’s food supply, warning that if plants closed because of the pandemic, grocery stores shelves would see shortages of meat.After President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fb38a5a53ac1a92039bc0a4b545b19d7">signed an executive order in Apri</a>&nbsp;l deeming meatpacking plants as critical infrastructure, they mostly stayed open. The country’s slaughterhouses rebounded, and commercial red meat and pork production for this year has even exceeded last year, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.OSHA began investigating Smithfield’s Sioux Falls plant on April 20, shortly after a team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention toured the facility to offer recommendations on how meatpacking plants could operate during the pandemic.Smithfield CEO Kenneth Sullivan has defended how the company handled the virus outbreak, sending a blistering, 14-page letter to Senate Democrats Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker after they inquired into how meatpackers have protected workers. Hundreds of employees signed on to Sullivan’s response. The company has asked its employees to sign onto&nbsp;<a href="https://smithfield.checkboxonline.com/employee-pledge" target="_blank">a statement</a>&nbsp;saying it took “aggressive measures” to protect their health.But Nancy Reynoza, who runs a Latino community organization in Sioux Falls and organized protests for better conditions at Smithfield, said the company could still do more to keep its facilities such as bathrooms and locker rooms clean, though she acknowledged conditions have improved since the April outbreak.She said the fine from OSHA was a “joke if you think of the people that got sick.”Marc Perrone, the president of United Food and Commercial Workers, said, “This so-called ‘fine’ is a slap on the wrist for Smithfield, and a slap in the face of the thousands of American meatpacking workers who have been putting their lives on the line to help feed America since the beginning of this pandemic.”

Smithfield pork plant faces OSHA fine from virus outbreak

WASHINGTON (AP) — The George Washington University history professor who confessed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6b628f0618b5ac01bb329a88f2d9905e">posing as a Black woman</a>&nbsp;for her entire career has resigned, according to the university.

Jessica Krug “has resigned her position, effective immediately,” the university announced on Twitter. “Her classes for this semester will be taught by other faculty members, and students in those courses will receive additional information this week.”

Krug, who taught African American history and specialized in issues of African culture and diaspora,&nbsp;<a href="https://medium.com/@jessakrug/the-truth-and-the-anti-black-violence-of-my-lies-9a9621401f85">admitted last week in a blog post</a>&nbsp;that she had presented herself as Afro Caribbean from New York when she is in fact a white Jewish woman from suburban Kansas City.

She expressed deep remorse and blamed her years-long deception on “unaddressed mental health demons” dating back to childhood.

Krug has not spoken publicly since the blog post and did not respond to a request for comment.

Her revelation stoked an online storm of criticism as well as a debate about the validity of her scholarly body of work. Duke University Press, which published Krug's 2018 book “Fugitive Modernities,” announced that any proceeds from the book would be routed toward “a fund that will support the work of Black and Latinx scholars.”

Gisela Fosado, editorial director for Duke University Press,&nbsp;<a href="https://dukeupress.wordpress.com/2020/09/10/editorial-director-gisela-fosado-speaks-out-about-jessica-a-krug/?fbclid=IwAR1_z7jXhzBjTSJkz1WRlcH9MaLTl47GmYX04hYAyBE9lKXunKCwz7H2neQ">wrote in an online statement</a>&nbsp;that, “Those of us who are connected to Krug and her scholarship, and especially those of us who are people of color, are grappling with several layers of anger and hurt.”

Fosado wrote that she was one of the many people who were personally deceived by Krug over the years, and said Krug insisted that her last named was actually pronounced “Cruz.”

Krug's long-term identity fraud, “took funding and other opportunities that were earmarked for non-white scholars," Fosado wrote. “Krug’s scholarship may not have ever existed without the funding that was inseparable from her two decades of lies.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599776157865.png" alt="Jessica Krug -photo GWU" />
 <figcaption>Jessica Krug -photo GWU</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The George Washington University history professor who confessed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6b628f0618b5ac01bb329a88f2d9905e">posing as a Black woman</a>&nbsp;for her entire career has resigned, according to the university.Jessica Krug “has resigned her position, effective immediately,” the university announced on Twitter. “Her classes for this semester will be taught by other faculty members, and students in those courses will receive additional information this week.”Krug, who taught African American history and specialized in issues of African culture and diaspora,&nbsp;<a href="https://medium.com/@jessakrug/the-truth-and-the-anti-black-violence-of-my-lies-9a9621401f85">admitted last week in a blog post</a>&nbsp;that she had presented herself as Afro Caribbean from New York when she is in fact a white Jewish woman from suburban Kansas City.She expressed deep remorse and blamed her years-long deception on “unaddressed mental health demons” dating back to childhood.Krug has not spoken publicly since the blog post and did not respond to a request for comment.Her revelation stoked an online storm of criticism as well as a debate about the validity of her scholarly body of work. Duke University Press, which published Krug's 2018 book “Fugitive Modernities,” announced that any proceeds from the book would be routed toward “a fund that will support the work of Black and Latinx scholars.”Gisela Fosado, editorial director for Duke University Press,&nbsp;<a href="https://dukeupress.wordpress.com/2020/09/10/editorial-director-gisela-fosado-speaks-out-about-jessica-a-krug/?fbclid=IwAR1_z7jXhzBjTSJkz1WRlcH9MaLTl47GmYX04hYAyBE9lKXunKCwz7H2neQ">wrote in an online statement</a>&nbsp;that, “Those of us who are connected to Krug and her scholarship, and especially those of us who are people of color, are grappling with several layers of anger and hurt.”Fosado wrote that she was one of the many people who were personally deceived by Krug over the years, and said Krug insisted that her last named was actually pronounced “Cruz.”Krug's long-term identity fraud, “took funding and other opportunities that were earmarked for non-white scholars," Fosado wrote. “Krug’s scholarship may not have ever existed without the funding that was inseparable from her two decades of lies.”

Professor from Kansas City who posed as Black resigns

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A former southwestern Missouri high school teacher has been sentenced to six years in prison on a federal child porn charge.

Matthew McCroskey, 51, was sentenced Wednesday. Prosecutors said McCroskey admitted to searching out and downloading child pornography from the internet. Investigators found at least 96 images and one video of child pornography on McCroskey’s computer.

Evidence was also presented at his sentencing that McCroskey set up a hidden camera and secretly recorded young women as they used the bathroom at his house.

McCroskey had worked at Logan-Rogersville schools starting in 2004, teaching English and sponsoring the yearbook. He was fired following his arrest in January 2019.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599745552116.png" alt="McCroskey photo Greene Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>McCroskey photo Greene Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A former southwestern Missouri high school teacher has been sentenced to six years in prison on a federal child porn charge.Matthew McCroskey, 51, was sentenced Wednesday. Prosecutors said McCroskey admitted to searching out and downloading child pornography from the internet. Investigators found at least 96 images and one video of child pornography on McCroskey’s computer.Evidence was also presented at his sentencing that McCroskey set up a hidden camera and secretly recorded young women as they used the bathroom at his house.McCroskey had worked at Logan-Rogersville schools starting in 2004, teaching English and sponsoring the yearbook. He was fired following his arrest in January 2019.At his sentencing, a judge ordered McCroskey's sentence credited for the two years he has already served in jail awaiting trial and sentencing. He also was ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution ot one of the child pornography victims.