MISSION, Kan. (AP) — As parents nationwide prepare to help their children with more distance learning, a small but quickly growing number are deciding to take matters entirely into their own hands and begin homeschooling.

Some are worried their districts are unable to offer a strong virtual learning program. For others who may have been considering homeschooling, concerns for their family's health amid the coronavirus and the on-again, off-again planning for in-person instruction are leading them to part ways with school systems.

Mindy Kroesche, a freelance writer and editor from Lincoln, Nebraska, had been leaning toward homeschooling her 12-year-old son, who has autism and ADHD diagnoses that made middle school a challenge. But she always felt her 10-year-old daughter was “built for school.” Now with the pandemic raging, she is pulling them both out for the year.

“We just saw that with her wearing a mask for the entire day, that would make learning more difficult for her,” she said. “It was going to be such a different environment. We didn’t think it would be as beneficial for her.”

Homeschooling applications are surging in states including Nebraska, where they are up 21%, and Vermont, where they are up 75%. In North Carolina, a rush of parents filing notices that they planned to homeschool overwhelmed a government website last month, leaving it temporarily unable to accept applications.

There were about 2.5 million homeschool students last year in grades K-12 in the U.S., making up about 3% to 4% of school-age children, according to the National Home Educators Research Institute. Brian Ray, the group’s president, is anticipating that their numbers will increase by at least 10%.

“One day the school district says X and four days later they say Y,” Ray said. “And then the governor says another thing and then that changes what the school district can do. And parents and teachers are tired of what appear to be arbitrary and capricious decisions. They are tired of it and saying we are out of here.”

Interest in homeschooling materials also has been surging, driven in part by parents who are keeping their children enrolled in schools but looking for ways to supplement distance learning.

The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXbmGexEg8E">National Home School Association </a>received more than 3,400 requests for information on a single day last month, up from between five and 20 inquiries per day before the coronavirus. The group had to increase the size of its email inbox to keep up.

“Clearly the interest we have been getting has exploded,” said J. Allen Weston, the executive director of the suburban Denver-based group. “That is really the only way to describe it.”

Some parents in rural parts of Nebraska are turning to homeschooling because staffing and limited access to home internet leave districts unable to offer a virtual learning option, said Kathryn Dillow, president and executive director of Nebraska Home Schools, a support and advocacy group.

Homeschooling applications continue arriving in Nebraska, where the number of homeschoolers already had risen to 3,400 as of July 14, up from 2,800 at the same time a year ago, said David Jespersen, a spokesman for the Nebraska Department of Education.

Jespersen said there is “a lot of confusion” and that “parents are delayed in making their decision” because so much is changing.

Regardless of the final number, Jespersen doesn’t expect that the increase will bust districts’ budgets because homeschoolers will still remain a small fraction of about 326,000 students spread over the state’s 244 school systems.

Most other states don’t have homeschooling numbers, either because they aren’t collected at the state level or it’s too early. But all indications point to increases across the country.

“Now is when the reality sets in,” said John Edelson, president of Time4Learning, an online curriculum provider, which has seen business explode. “People have postponed the decision, but we are at this great inflection point. And it is hard to see what the angle is going to be, but it is definitely up.”

In Missouri, calls and emails pour into the homeschool advocacy group Families For Home Education each time a district releases its reopening plan, said Charyti Jackson, the group’s executive director. She said families are in a “panic” about virtual starts to the year and hybrid plans in which students attend classes parttime and study at home the rest.

“They are asking, ’What am I supposed to be doing with my children when I am working full time?’” she said.

For the families who only plan to homeschool for a semester or two, some in small groups or pods, her advice is focused on how to make sure students can transition back to public schooling smoothly when the pandemic ends. That’s trickier for students who receive special education services and high schoolers who need to meet their district’s graduation requirements.

There also are some indications the exodus to homeschooling could continue well into fall. Christina Rothermel-Branham, a psychology and counseling professor at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, said she is going to attempt remote learning through her local school district for her 6-year-old son. But she said the virtual learning she oversaw in the spring was “very monotonous” and that she plans to switch to homeschooling if the first month goes poorly.

“If there is a lot of stress between the two of us it is probably going to get him pulled out,” she said.

Rothermel-Branham, 39, already has scouted out curriculum as a backup and has signed up for art and music classes through Outschool, an online learning platform that is reporting 30 times year-over-year growth since March.

“It is such a big mess,” said Outschool CEO Amir Nathoo. “A lot of schools spent all summer preparing for a social distanced reopening and now it looks like that isn’t going to happen because of the virus.”

He said the demand for classes has been particularly strong in states that moved aggressively to reopen, including Texas, Florida, Georgia and Arizona.

Chris Perrin, the CEO of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania-based Classical Academic Press, said curriculum sales to homeschoolers are up by 50% and that enrollment in its online Scholé Academy has increased by 100% amid the pandemic. He said some there was “understandably a lot of bad online learning” in the spring and that some parents were “appalled” as they oversaw it.

“They are saying I can’t stand by and do nothing,” Perrin said. “So they are becoming homeschoolers.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597257614362.png" alt="Image courtesy National Home School Association&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy National Home School Association&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — As parents nationwide prepare to help their children with more distance learning, a small but quickly growing number are deciding to take matters entirely into their own hands and begin homeschooling.Some are worried their districts are unable to offer a strong virtual learning program. For others who may have been considering homeschooling, concerns for their family's health amid the coronavirus and the on-again, off-again planning for in-person instruction are leading them to part ways with school systems.Mindy Kroesche, a freelance writer and editor from Lincoln, Nebraska, had been leaning toward homeschooling her 12-year-old son, who has autism and ADHD diagnoses that made middle school a challenge. But she always felt her 10-year-old daughter was “built for school.” Now with the pandemic raging, she is pulling them both out for the year.“We just saw that with her wearing a mask for the entire day, that would make learning more difficult for her,” she said. “It was going to be such a different environment. We didn’t think it would be as beneficial for her.”Homeschooling applications are surging in states including Nebraska, where they are up 21%, and Vermont, where they are up 75%. In North Carolina, a rush of parents filing notices that they planned to homeschool overwhelmed a government website last month, leaving it temporarily unable to accept applications.There were about 2.5 million homeschool students last year in grades K-12 in the U.S., making up about 3% to 4% of school-age children, according to the National Home Educators Research Institute. Brian Ray, the group’s president, is anticipating that their numbers will increase by at least 10%.“One day the school district says X and four days later they say Y,” Ray said. “And then the governor says another thing and then that changes what the school district can do. And parents and teachers are tired of what appear to be arbitrary and capricious decisions. They are tired of it and saying we are out of here.”Interest in homeschooling materials also has been surging, driven in part by parents who are keeping their children enrolled in schools but looking for ways to supplement distance learning.The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXbmGexEg8E">National Home School Association </a>received more than 3,400 requests for information on a single day last month, up from between five and 20 inquiries per day before the coronavirus. The group had to increase the size of its email inbox to keep up.“Clearly the interest we have been getting has exploded,” said J. Allen Weston, the executive director of the suburban Denver-based group. “That is really the only way to describe it.”Some parents in rural parts of Nebraska are turning to homeschooling because staffing and limited access to home internet leave districts unable to offer a virtual learning option, said Kathryn Dillow, president and executive director of Nebraska Home Schools, a support and advocacy group.Homeschooling applications continue arriving in Nebraska, where the number of homeschoolers already had risen to 3,400 as of July 14, up from 2,800 at the same time a year ago, said David Jespersen, a spokesman for the Nebraska Department of Education.Jespersen said there is “a lot of confusion” and that “parents are delayed in making their decision” because so much is changing.Regardless of the final number, Jespersen doesn’t expect that the increase will bust districts’ budgets because homeschoolers will still remain a small fraction of about 326,000 students spread over the state’s 244 school systems.Most other states don’t have homeschooling numbers, either because they aren’t collected at the state level or it’s too early. But all indications point to increases across the country.“Now is when the reality sets in,” said John Edelson, president of Time4Learning, an online curriculum provider, which has seen business explode. “People have postponed the decision, but we are at this great inflection point. And it is hard to see what the angle is going to be, but it is definitely up.”In Missouri, calls and emails pour into the homeschool advocacy group Families For Home Education each time a district releases its reopening plan, said Charyti Jackson, the group’s executive director. She said families are in a “panic” about virtual starts to the year and hybrid plans in which students attend classes parttime and study at home the rest.“They are asking, ’What am I supposed to be doing with my children when I am working full time?’” she said.For the families who only plan to homeschool for a semester or two, some in small groups or pods, her advice is focused on how to make sure students can transition back to public schooling smoothly when the pandemic ends. That’s trickier for students who receive special education services and high schoolers who need to meet their district’s graduation requirements.There also are some indications the exodus to homeschooling could continue well into fall. Christina Rothermel-Branham, a psychology and counseling professor at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, said she is going to attempt remote learning through her local school district for her 6-year-old son. But she said the virtual learning she oversaw in the spring was “very monotonous” and that she plans to switch to homeschooling if the first month goes poorly.“If there is a lot of stress between the two of us it is probably going to get him pulled out,” she said.Rothermel-Branham, 39, already has scouted out curriculum as a backup and has signed up for art and music classes through Outschool, an online learning platform that is reporting 30 times year-over-year growth since March.“It is such a big mess,” said Outschool CEO Amir Nathoo. “A lot of schools spent all summer preparing for a social distanced reopening and now it looks like that isn’t going to happen because of the virus.”He said the demand for classes has been particularly strong in states that moved aggressively to reopen, including Texas, Florida, Georgia and Arizona.Chris Perrin, the CEO of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania-based Classical Academic Press, said curriculum sales to homeschoolers are up by 50% and that enrollment in its online Scholé Academy has increased by 100% amid the pandemic. He said some there was “understandably a lot of bad online learning” in the spring and that some parents were “appalled” as they oversaw it.“They are saying I can’t stand by and do nothing,” Perrin said. “So they are becoming homeschoolers.”

Interest in homeschooling has 'exploded' amid pandemic

GLENDIVE, Mont. – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Medicine Lodge Police Department, and the Barber County Sheriff’s Office have located the person of interest they have been searching for, who is believed connected to the July 27 homicide of Joyce Foulkrod, according to a media release from the KBI.

Clinton W. Rogers, 34, was located Tuesday, Aug. 11, in Glendive, Mont. He was arrested by the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 10:30 p.m. (CDT) on a warrant for theft out of Kingman County, Kan. He is currently being held in the Dawson County Jail.

KBI agents are traveling to Montana, where they will question Rogers.&nbsp;

BARBER COUNTY–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Medicine Lodge Police Department, and the Barber County Sheriff’s Office are requesting the public’s help to locate Clinton Rogers, a person of interest connected to a homicide that occurred in Medicine Lodge.

Just before 2 p.m., July 27, a family member called 911 after finding 61-year-old Joyce A. Foulkrod deceased inside her home at 3 Whitney Lane., in Medicine Lodge.

Clinton Rogers is a 34-year-old white male with hazel eyes. He is 6-foot-1 in. tall, and weighs approximately 270 pounds.

Clinton W. Rogers, 34, stole a dark red 1995 Chevrolet Camaro with t-tops in Kingman County on Sunday. It is possible that the Camaro is still bearing Kansas license plate, 870JUK. Rogers is no longer traveling in the white F-150 pickup truck.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Clint Rogers, or encounters him or the Camaro, is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Tips related to this case can also be submitted online at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1596053633735.png" alt="Rogers photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Rogers photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>GLENDIVE, Mont. – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Medicine Lodge Police Department, and the Barber County Sheriff’s Office have located the person of interest they have been searching for, who is believed connected to the July 27 homicide of Joyce Foulkrod, according to a media release from the KBI.Clinton W. Rogers, 34, was located Tuesday, Aug. 11, in Glendive, Mont. He was arrested by the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 10:30 p.m. (CDT) on a warrant for theft out of Kingman County, Kan. He is currently being held in the Dawson County Jail.KBI agents are traveling to Montana, where they will question Rogers.&nbsp;--------BARBER COUNTY–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Medicine Lodge Police Department, and the Barber County Sheriff’s Office are requesting the public’s help to locate Clinton Rogers, a person of interest connected to a homicide that occurred in Medicine Lodge.Just before 2 p.m., July 27, a family member called 911 after finding 61-year-old Joyce A. Foulkrod deceased inside her home at 3 Whitney Lane., in Medicine Lodge.Clinton Rogers is a 34-year-old white male with hazel eyes. He is 6-foot-1 in. tall, and weighs approximately 270 pounds.Clinton W. Rogers, 34, stole a dark red 1995 Chevrolet Camaro with t-tops in Kingman County on Sunday. It is possible that the Camaro is still bearing Kansas license plate, 870JUK. Rogers is no longer traveling in the white F-150 pickup truck.Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Clint Rogers, or encounters him or the Camaro, is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Tips related to this case can also be submitted online at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>.

Suspect in Kan. woman's murder captured in Montana

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 817 to a total of 32,547 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

<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 817 to a total of 32,547 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 395<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/2020/8/1597252311291.png" alt="Wednesday August 12, 2020" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday August 12, 2020</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — National discount department store chain Stein Mart is filing for bankruptcy and will close most, if not all, of its stores. 

The 112-year-old Florida-based company said in a news release that it filed for Chapter 11 protection on Wednesday. 

It said the downturn in the economy as a result of the coronavirus pandemic was too difficult to overcome. Stein Mart has more than 280 stores in 30 states specializing in clothing, shoes and housewares at discount prices. Many are in community shopping centers.&nbsp;

There are three Stein Mart stores in Kansas including Wichita, Lenexa and Overland Park and three stores in Missouri, near St. Louis.

As of May 30, the company employed about 8,400 people. Stein Mart first started doing business in Mississippi in 1908.&nbsp;

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — National discount department store chain Stein Mart is filing for bankruptcy and will close most, if not all, of its stores. The 112-year-old Florida-based company said in a news release that it filed for Chapter 11 protection on Wednesday. It said the downturn in the economy as a result of the coronavirus pandemic was too difficult to overcome. Stein Mart has more than 280 stores in 30 states specializing in clothing, shoes and housewares at discount prices. Many are in community shopping centers.&nbsp;There are three Stein Mart stores in Kansas including Wichita, Lenexa and Overland Park and three stores in Missouri, near St. Louis.As of May 30, the company employed about 8,400 people. Stein Mart first started doing business in Mississippi in 1908.&nbsp;

Stein Mart files for bankruptcy; to close nearly 300 stores

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hopes that talks on a huge COVID-19 relief deal would generate an agreement soon are fizzling, with both the Trump administration negotiating team and top congressional Democrats adopting hard lines and testy attitudes.

Now that President Donald Trump has issued a series of executive edicts and the national political conventions are set to begin, consuming the attention of both Trump and top Democrats, the talks seem to be on an indefinite pause. The urgency has evaporated now that rank-and-file lawmakers have been set free for the August recess, and while both sides still want an agreement — and pressure is likely to remain high — it’s looking more like a September legislating effort than an August one.

The impasse leaves millions of jobless people without a $600-per-week pandemic bonus jobless benefit that has helped families stay afloat, leaves state and local governments seeking fiscal relief high and dry, and holds back a more than $100 billion school aid package. Money for other priorities, including the election, may come too late, if at all.

Still, it’s not like Washington politicians to leave so much money on the table. No one is giving up on an accord, though near-term prospects aren’t promising. Based on weeks of reporting on the talks, here’s a look at the key obstacles to an agreement:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who’s displaying her stern streak in her dealings with top Republicans, and top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer of New York, have adopted hardball negotiating tactics as they survey a tactical landscape that favors them. They have given some ground on the overall price tag, but say it’s up to Republicans to acknowledge the scope of the crisis.

Trump is eager for an agreement, much of the country expects one, and it’s not too difficult to sketch one out on paper. But Pelosi may have to cede ground to Trump and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, who have largely abandoned the talks when confronted with Pelosi’s demands. And Trump’s team ultimately may have to make more concessions than they think since Republicans are split.

Meadows made his name in Washington — and he’s unpopular in many quarters in both parties — as a tea party bomb-thrower who forced out former House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, in 2015. Meadows has never been a consensus builder and he seems focused on tending to Trump’s conservative flank and trying to make sure that whatever deal is reached doesn’t divide Republicans too badly. As such, he’s been taking a hard line with Pelosi, and they have been unable to forge a productive relationship and have taken their backbiting public.

Meadows has been understaffed during the talks, which can slow down the complicated horse-trading such a sweeping bill requires. He also appeared to be the principal force behind Trump’s threats — and ultimate moves — to issue executive edicts on the payroll tax and unemployment insurance, steps that coincided with the rapid deterioration of the talks. The orders gave Trump a short-term tactical victory, but will do little for the states, schools and families still clamoring for help.

Any upcoming bill is sure to be opposed by many GOP conservatives, who are already agitating for the party to try to reclaim its long-abandoned focus on deficits and debt.

Many Republicans oppose the generous jobless benefits, viewing them as a disincentive to work, and are against other social welfare elements of the legislation. They’re in no mood to accept a Pelosi-blessed agreement. But the pragmatic wing of the party wants to restore bonus jobless benefits that have been cut off, and many GOP incumbents up for reelection are agitating for deal.

Probably the biggest issue impeding the talks is renewal of the pandemic bonus unemployment benefit, which was set at $600 until it expired at the end of July. The $600 benefit meant that most workers were receiving more on unemployment than through their former jobs, and many GOP senators are adamant that it not be fully renewed. But the benefit is popular with voters and Pelosi is solidly behind the full $600, which economists say has helped keep millions out of poverty. Still, the Democrats are probably going to have to compromise, though it will likely be among the final items resolved if a deal is to be reached.

Governors in both parties and a slew of local officials are the driving force behind a massive Pelosi-driven aid plan for state and local governments, which have been starved of tax revenues as the economy slumps. They are pleading for help and have panned Trump’s recent executive moves as confusing and inadequate.

But the distance between negotiators on state and local aid is vast. The two sides are hundreds of billions of dollars apart, and Trump has taken to railing against the idea, falsely portraying it as assistance only for the high-profile Democratic governors and big city mayors he often vilifies.

It’s clear that Pelosi recognizes she’ll have to go far lower than the $900-plus billion aid package that she built into the Democrats’ bill. It’s equally clear that Republicans know some level of funding will have to be included. So long as the issue is unresolved, an agreement will be out of reach.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596796356877.png" alt="House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke to reporters after a virus relief negotiation session last week-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke to reporters after a virus relief negotiation session last week-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Hopes that talks on a huge COVID-19 relief deal would generate an agreement soon are fizzling, with both the Trump administration negotiating team and top congressional Democrats adopting hard lines and testy attitudes.Now that President Donald Trump has issued a series of executive edicts and the national political conventions are set to begin, consuming the attention of both Trump and top Democrats, the talks seem to be on an indefinite pause. The urgency has evaporated now that rank-and-file lawmakers have been set free for the August recess, and while both sides still want an agreement — and pressure is likely to remain high — it’s looking more like a September legislating effort than an August one.The impasse leaves millions of jobless people without a $600-per-week pandemic bonus jobless benefit that has helped families stay afloat, leaves state and local governments seeking fiscal relief high and dry, and holds back a more than $100 billion school aid package. Money for other priorities, including the election, may come too late, if at all.Still, it’s not like Washington politicians to leave so much money on the table. No one is giving up on an accord, though near-term prospects aren’t promising. Based on weeks of reporting on the talks, here’s a look at the key obstacles to an agreement:DEMOCRATIC HARDBALLHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who’s displaying her stern streak in her dealings with top Republicans, and top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer of New York, have adopted hardball negotiating tactics as they survey a tactical landscape that favors them. They have given some ground on the overall price tag, but say it’s up to Republicans to acknowledge the scope of the crisis.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596624511341.png" alt="Treasury Secretary Mnuchin and&nbsp; White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows leave a virus relief negotiation session-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Treasury Secretary Mnuchin and&nbsp; White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows leave a virus relief negotiation session-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>Trump is eager for an agreement, much of the country expects one, and it’s not too difficult to sketch one out on paper. But Pelosi may have to cede ground to Trump and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, who have largely abandoned the talks when confronted with Pelosi’s demands. And Trump’s team ultimately may have to make more concessions than they think since Republicans are split.WHITE HOUSE INEXPERIENCEMeadows made his name in Washington — and he’s unpopular in many quarters in both parties — as a tea party bomb-thrower who forced out former House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, in 2015. Meadows has never been a consensus builder and he seems focused on tending to Trump’s conservative flank and trying to make sure that whatever deal is reached doesn’t divide Republicans too badly. As such, he’s been taking a hard line with Pelosi, and they have been unable to forge a productive relationship and have taken their backbiting public.Meadows has been understaffed during the talks, which can slow down the complicated horse-trading such a sweeping bill requires. He also appeared to be the principal force behind Trump’s threats — and ultimate moves — to issue executive edicts on the payroll tax and unemployment insurance, steps that coincided with the rapid deterioration of the talks. The orders gave Trump a short-term tactical victory, but will do little for the states, schools and families still clamoring for help.GOP SPLITSAny upcoming bill is sure to be opposed by many GOP conservatives, who are already agitating for the party to try to reclaim its long-abandoned focus on deficits and debt.Many Republicans oppose the generous jobless benefits, viewing them as a disincentive to work, and are against other social welfare elements of the legislation. They’re in no mood to accept a Pelosi-blessed agreement. But the pragmatic wing of the party wants to restore bonus jobless benefits that have been cut off, and many GOP incumbents up for reelection are agitating for deal.UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCEProbably the biggest issue impeding the talks is renewal of the pandemic bonus unemployment benefit, which was set at $600 until it expired at the end of July. The $600 benefit meant that most workers were receiving more on unemployment than through their former jobs, and many GOP senators are adamant that it not be fully renewed. But the benefit is popular with voters and Pelosi is solidly behind the full $600, which economists say has helped keep millions out of poverty. Still, the Democrats are probably going to have to compromise, though it will likely be among the final items resolved if a deal is to be reached.STATE AND LOCAL AIDGovernors in both parties and a slew of local officials are the driving force behind a massive Pelosi-driven aid plan for state and local governments, which have been starved of tax revenues as the economy slumps. They are pleading for help and have panned Trump’s recent executive moves as confusing and inadequate.But the distance between negotiators on state and local aid is vast. The two sides are hundreds of billions of dollars apart, and Trump has taken to railing against the idea, falsely portraying it as assistance only for the high-profile Democratic governors and big city mayors he often vilifies.It’s clear that Pelosi recognizes she’ll have to go far lower than the $900-plus billion aid package that she built into the Democrats’ bill. It’s equally clear that Republicans know some level of funding will have to be included. So long as the issue is unresolved, an agreement will be out of reach.

What's keeping Washington from a virus deal, explained

TOPEKA, Kansas – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Wednesday that a lockdown has been implemented at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) Central Unit after testing revealed additional staff and residents as positive for COVID-19.

In total, 84 residents and 10 staff tested positive this week. A total of 99 residents and 17 staff have tested positive since the COVID-19 pandemic began with five residents and seven staff having recovered. All of the positive cases are asymptomatic.

As with all positive cases, the KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address the active cases at HCF. Additional steps taken today include:

“KDHE has been on site to evaluate the situation and work with us to determine the best course of action,” Zmuda said. “The measures taken today will help mitigate the risk of continued exposure at the facility, helping ensure the health and safety of our staff and residents.”

The Hutchinson Correctional Facility is Kansas’ second-oldest prison and houses 1,884 men. Formerly known as the Kansas State Industrial Reformatory, the facility has three buildings including the Central (all custody levels), East (low-medium custody) and South (minimum custody) units.


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — There has been a spike in the case count of COVID-19 in Reno County. As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, there are now 105 cases active in the county. The latest numbers are due to a cluster at Hutchinson Correctional Facility.

"They have been doing a lot of testing," said Karen Hammersmith with the Health Department. "The numbers come from a number that came back from their testing. I don't know a whole lot, because we're still in the process of investigating that. The cases that came in overnight, 53 of the 57 cases that changed on the dashboard were related to Hutchinson Correctional Facility. I don't know if those are inmates or employees. We are still doing testing."

Two other clusters also have been identified at Tyson in South Hutchinson and a nursing home in Pretty Prairie. Hammersmith said they may later be able to break the numbers out so people can know which cases are public and which are not, but they aren't that far yet.

"That is something that we may be able to look at on the reporting dashboard, to keep that separate," Hammersmith said. "I think that is probably a good idea if that's something that can be done. I think it would probably be a manual adjustment, but we could do that."

Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Dr. Lee Norman showed concern for what a spike at HCF could mean as one of his justifications for advising for the cancellation of the Kansas State Fair earlier this year.

"Once it gets into prison settings and nursing homes, sometimes those numbers can escalate, especially in a prison where you have so many people living in those close quarters. That's why you always want to watch any virus or disease process that gets there and try to make sure it doesn't have wide spread, but it's very hard not to."

This is the first day since the beginning of the pandemic with over 100 active cases at the same time.

TOPEKA, Kansas – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Wednesday that a lockdown has been implemented at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) Central Unit after testing revealed additional staff and residents as positive for COVID-19.In total, 84 residents and 10 staff tested positive this week. A total of 99 residents and 17 staff have tested positive since the COVID-19 pandemic began with five residents and seven staff having recovered. All of the positive cases are asymptomatic.As with all positive cases, the KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address the active cases at HCF. Additional steps taken today include:<ul>
 <li>All residents in the Central Unit will remain locked in their cells</li><li>Necessary movement will be done in cohort groups</li><li>Essential resident workers in laundry and food service will continue to operate on a limited schedule</li><li>Some residents may be relocated to Lansing Correctional Facility’s COVID-19 Medical Unit</li>
 </ul>“KDHE has been on site to evaluate the situation and work with us to determine the best course of action,” Zmuda said. “The measures taken today will help mitigate the risk of continued exposure at the facility, helping ensure the health and safety of our staff and residents.”The Hutchinson Correctional Facility is Kansas’ second-oldest prison and houses 1,884 men. Formerly known as the Kansas State Industrial Reformatory, the facility has three buildings including the Central (all custody levels), East (low-medium custody) and South (minimum custody) units.---------
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — There has been a spike in the case count of COVID-19 in Reno County. As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, there are now 105 cases active in the county. The latest numbers are due to a cluster at Hutchinson Correctional Facility."They have been doing a lot of testing," said Karen Hammersmith with the Health Department. "The numbers come from a number that came back from their testing. I don't know a whole lot, because we're still in the process of investigating that. The cases that came in overnight, 53 of the 57 cases that changed on the dashboard were related to Hutchinson Correctional Facility. I don't know if those are inmates or employees. We are still doing testing."Two other clusters also have been identified at Tyson in South Hutchinson and a nursing home in Pretty Prairie. Hammersmith said they may later be able to break the numbers out so people can know which cases are public and which are not, but they aren't that far yet."That is something that we may be able to look at on the reporting dashboard, to keep that separate," Hammersmith said. "I think that is probably a good idea if that's something that can be done. I think it would probably be a manual adjustment, but we could do that."Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Dr. Lee Norman showed concern for what a spike at HCF could mean as one of his justifications for advising for the cancellation of the Kansas State Fair earlier this year."Once it gets into prison settings and nursing homes, sometimes those numbers can escalate, especially in a prison where you have so many people living in those close quarters. That's why you always want to watch any virus or disease process that gets there and try to make sure it doesn't have wide spread, but it's very hard not to."This is the first day since the beginning of the pandemic with over 100 active cases at the same time.

Update: Kan. prison on lockdown due to COVID-19 cases

TOPEKA — Police investigating the death of a woman who was killed by a stray bullet as she stood in her front yard have made an arrest.

On Tuesday, police arrested Tony Baird, Jr., 29, Topeka, according to Lt. John Trimble.

The shooting happened just after 11:30p.m. August 5, as 62-year-old Jerrie Lyn Ross was in her yard. 

Police say she was innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of two parties shooting at each other. 

Baird is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Attempted Murder. Additional charges may be added as the investigation continues, according to Trimble.

Ross' family and friends have established <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/jerrie-jr-ross-funeral-and-family-expenses?utm_source=customer&amp;utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link_all">a GoFundMe </a>page to assist with her funeral expenses.

TOPEKA — Police in Topeka continue to search for suspects in the death of a woman who was killed by a stray bullet as she stood in her front yard. 

Police have said they are searching for a person of interest based on video images of someone shooting, but have not announced any arrests. Ross' family says she was a real estate and property manager who owned and operated Homes By Ross in Topeka.

TOPEKA —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting in Topeka are&nbsp; attempting to identify a suspect, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz.

Just after 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp; responded to a report of multiple gun shots being fired in the 1100 block of SW Gage in Topeka  near a shopping district and not far from the Topeka Zoo, according to Lt. John Trimble.

Officers arrived on scene and found evidence of shots being fired. They then located a victim who appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Due to the size of this crime scene, police asked the public to avoid the 1100-1200 blocks of Gage.&nbsp; &nbsp;The street was reopened to traffic late morning and police remained on the scene, according Munoz.

Detectives are asking anyone that might recognize the individual in the picture or the vehicle, to please email telltpd@topeka.org or call the Topeka

Police Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-368-9400. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007. You can also make anonymous tips online at www.p3tips.com/128

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596711636578.png" alt="Police crime scene tape near the shooting investigation early August 6, 2020 -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police crime scene tape near the shooting investigation early August 6, 2020 -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA — Police investigating the death of a woman who was killed by a stray bullet as she stood in her front yard have made an arrest.On Tuesday, police arrested Tony Baird, Jr., 29, Topeka, according to Lt. John Trimble.The shooting happened just after 11:30p.m. August 5, as 62-year-old Jerrie Lyn Ross was in her yard. Police say she was innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of two parties shooting at each other. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597229507782.png" alt="Baird-photo Douglas Co." />
 <figcaption>Baird-photo Douglas Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Baird is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Attempted Murder. Additional charges may be added as the investigation continues, according to Trimble.Ross' family and friends have established <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/jerrie-jr-ross-funeral-and-family-expenses?utm_source=customer&amp;utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link_all">a GoFundMe </a>page to assist with her funeral expenses.-----------<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596745506137.png" alt="&nbsp;This security camera image is a person of interest in the homicide that occurred late Wednesday in the 1100 Block of SW Gage in Topeka.&nbsp; The vehicle is a black Chevrolet SUV and was last seen northbound on Gage from the scene." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;This security camera image is a person of interest in the homicide that occurred late Wednesday in the 1100 Block of SW Gage in Topeka.&nbsp; The vehicle is a black Chevrolet SUV and was last seen northbound on Gage from the scene.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA — Police in Topeka continue to search for suspects in the death of a woman who was killed by a stray bullet as she stood in her front yard. The shooting happened just after 11:30p.m. August 5, as 62-year-old Jerrie Lyn Ross was in her yard. Police say she was innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of two parties shooting at each other. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596711636578.png" alt="Police crime scene tape near the shooting investigation early Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police crime scene tape near the shooting investigation early Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Police have said they are searching for a person of interest based on video images of someone shooting, but have not announced any arrests. Ross' family says she was a real estate and property manager who owned and operated Homes By Ross in Topeka.-----------------TOPEKA —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting in Topeka are&nbsp; attempting to identify a suspect, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz.Just after 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, police&nbsp; responded to a report of multiple gun shots being fired in the 1100 block of SW Gage in Topeka near a shopping district and not far from the Topeka Zoo, according to Lt. John Trimble.Officers arrived on scene and found evidence of shots being fired. They then located a victim who appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596711636578.png" alt="Police crime scene tape near the shooting investigation early Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police crime scene tape near the shooting investigation early Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>Due to the size of this crime scene, police asked the public to avoid the 1100-1200 blocks of Gage.&nbsp; &nbsp;The street was reopened to traffic late morning and police remained on the scene, according Munoz.Detectives are asking anyone that might recognize the individual in the picture or the vehicle, to please email telltpd@topeka.org or call the TopekaPolice Criminal Investigation Bureau at 785-368-9400. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007. You can also make anonymous tips online at www.p3tips.com/128

Suspect arrested in death of Kan. woman hit by stray bullet 

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/59c25efd4d325c4895f8ba85517f9bfd">Mail piling up</a>. Constant&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a90a7a76c26c1fa3edfbb5664d4b2e91">attacks</a>&nbsp;from the president.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a291ebc31c5638aa5a9adafc2ff2b430">Cuts to overtime</a>&nbsp;as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9d38f27c9a8200f8befe91778f602c7c">record numbers of ballots</a>&nbsp;are expected to pass through post offices this fall.

The success of the 2020 presidential election could hinge on a most unlikely government agency:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/eecd34df92249d8218bda442f76d47f6">the U.S. Postal Service</a>. Current signs are not promising.

The Postal Service already was facing questions over how it would handle the expected spike of mail-in ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic, but several operational changes imposed by its new leader have led to mail backlogs across the United States as rumors of additional cutbacks swirl, fueling worries about the November vote.

“It seems like they’re just trying to turn customers away from the post office,” said Jim Sizemore, president of the American Postal Workers Union chapter in the Cincinnati region. He said his offices are behind on deliveries because of new rules specifying when mail can go out.

The pandemic has forced states to expand voting by mail as a safe alternative to in-person polling places. Some states are opting to send ballots to voters or allowing people to use fear of the virus as a reason to cast an absentee ballot. That’s led to predictions of an an unprecedented amount of mail voting in the presidential election.

Trailing in the polls, President Donald Trump has been sowing public distrust in the Postal Service’s ability to adequately deliver ballots and has, without evidence, said allowing more people to vote by mail will result in rampant corruption.

The agency’s new leader, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a former supply-chain CEO and a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?contributor_name=Louis+DeJoy&amp;two_year_transaction_period=2020&amp;min_date=01%2F01%2F2019&amp;max_date=12%2F31%2F2020" target="_blank">major donor</a>&nbsp;to Trump and other Republicans, has pushed cost-cutting measures to eliminate overtime pay and hold mail until the next day if postal distribution centers are running late.

DeJoy, 63, of North Carolina, was tapped to head the service by a Trump-appointed board of governors and started in June. He is the first postmaster general in nearly two decades who is not a career postal employee.

DeJoy has said repeatedly that the Postal Service is in a financially untenable position and needs to rein in expenses. This past week, it reported $2.2 billion in losses during the three months that ended in June.

Postal leaders want at least a $10 billion infusion from Congress as well as regulatory changes that would end a costly mandate that they fund in advance billions of dollars in retiree health benefits.

“Without dramatic change, there is no end in sight, and we face an impending liquidity crisis,” DeJoy told the Postal Service’s governing board Friday.

Memos from post office leadership, obtained by The Associated Press, detailed an elimination of overtime and a halting of late delivery trips that are sometimes needed to make sure deliveries arrive on time. One document said if distribution centers are running behind, “they will keep the mail for the next day.” Another said: “One aspect of these changes that may be difficult for employees is that — temporarily — we may see mail left behind or mail on the workroom floor or docks.”

Additional records obtained by AP outline upcoming reductions of hours at post offices, including closures during lunch and on Saturdays. Rumors have also circulated about the potential for entire offices to shutter, after the Postal Service told Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., that regional managers there have identified 12 offices for “feasibility studies.” Postal employees have been recently instructed not to talk to news media while on duty, according to another memo obtained by AP.

The changes have taken their toll on the Postal Service’s 630,000 employees.

“As they risk their health each day along with other front-line essential workers, letter carriers have become angry, frustrated and embarrassed by various USPS management initiatives that are now resulting in delayed mail and undelivered routes in many areas of the country,” said Fredric Rolando, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, which represents nearly 300,000 carriers nationwide.

The new policies have angered lawmakers from both parties and drawn criticism from former President Barack Obama, who said the current administration is “undermining the Postal Service in an election that’s going to be dependent on mail-in ballots.”

DeJoy has been the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/200730_LettertoPMGDeJoy.pdf" target="_blank">target&nbsp;</a>of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/1/1/11cc422b-110d-4efd-8487-b2e31f4c3eb8/DF9F8C63E54797C5E21CB57825FA2FA3.080620usps.pdf" target="_blank">multiple&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.daines.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/USPS%20-%20Mail%20Delay.%202020.08.06.pdf" target="_blank">letters&nbsp;</a>from members of Congress who have called on the postmaster general to rescind his measures and have complained about a lack of transparency from the agency. Eighty-four House members, including four Republicans, signed a letter that said it is “vital that the Postal Service does not reduce mail delivery hours, which could harm rural communities, seniors, small businesses and millions of Americans who rely on the mail for critical letters and packages.″

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., had a closed-door meeting with DeJoy this past week to discuss the agency’s worsening performance and need for emergency funding. Schumer later described it as “a heated discussion.″

Pelosi and Schumer followed up with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.democrats.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Schumer%20Pelosi%20DeJoy%20Letter%20v2%20FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">letter&nbsp;</a>to DeJoy that said the operational changes “threaten the timely delivery of mail — including medicines for seniors, paychecks for workers, and absentee ballots for voters — that is essential to millions of Americans.”

During a meeting Friday with the Postal Service governing board, DeJoy said the agency is not slowing down election mail and remains committed to fulfilling its role in elections.

“Although there will likely be an unprecedented increase in election mail volume due to the pandemic, the Postal Service has ample capacity to deliver all election mail securely and on-time in accordance with our delivery standards, and we will do so,” he said. “However, as discussed, we cannot correct the errors of the Election Boards if they fail to deploy processes that take our normal processing and delivery standards into account.”

In West Virginia, Sini Melvin, president of an American Postal Workers Union chapter in a northern part of the state, said she has serious concerns about the post office’s ability to deliver ballots on time this fall if current policies hold.

“It’s like they’re setting us up for failure,” she said,

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1596998721849.png" alt="Postal worker in Lawrence, Kansas -google image" />
 <figcaption>Postal worker in Lawrence, Kansas -google image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/59c25efd4d325c4895f8ba85517f9bfd">Mail piling up</a>. Constant&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a90a7a76c26c1fa3edfbb5664d4b2e91">attacks</a>&nbsp;from the president.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a291ebc31c5638aa5a9adafc2ff2b430">Cuts to overtime</a>&nbsp;as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9d38f27c9a8200f8befe91778f602c7c">record numbers of ballots</a>&nbsp;are expected to pass through post offices this fall.The success of the 2020 presidential election could hinge on a most unlikely government agency:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/eecd34df92249d8218bda442f76d47f6">the U.S. Postal Service</a>. Current signs are not promising.The Postal Service already was facing questions over how it would handle the expected spike of mail-in ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic, but several operational changes imposed by its new leader have led to mail backlogs across the United States as rumors of additional cutbacks swirl, fueling worries about the November vote.“It seems like they’re just trying to turn customers away from the post office,” said Jim Sizemore, president of the American Postal Workers Union chapter in the Cincinnati region. He said his offices are behind on deliveries because of new rules specifying when mail can go out.The pandemic has forced states to expand voting by mail as a safe alternative to in-person polling places. Some states are opting to send ballots to voters or allowing people to use fear of the virus as a reason to cast an absentee ballot. That’s led to predictions of an an unprecedented amount of mail voting in the presidential election.Trailing in the polls, President Donald Trump has been sowing public distrust in the Postal Service’s ability to adequately deliver ballots and has, without evidence, said allowing more people to vote by mail will result in rampant corruption.The agency’s new leader, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a former supply-chain CEO and a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?contributor_name=Louis+DeJoy&amp;two_year_transaction_period=2020&amp;min_date=01%2F01%2F2019&amp;max_date=12%2F31%2F2020" target="_blank">major donor</a>&nbsp;to Trump and other Republicans, has pushed cost-cutting measures to eliminate overtime pay and hold mail until the next day if postal distribution centers are running late.DeJoy, 63, of North Carolina, was tapped to head the service by a Trump-appointed board of governors and started in June. He is the first postmaster general in nearly two decades who is not a career postal employee.DeJoy has said repeatedly that the Postal Service is in a financially untenable position and needs to rein in expenses. This past week, it reported $2.2 billion in losses during the three months that ended in June.Postal leaders want at least a $10 billion infusion from Congress as well as regulatory changes that would end a costly mandate that they fund in advance billions of dollars in retiree health benefits.“Without dramatic change, there is no end in sight, and we face an impending liquidity crisis,” DeJoy told the Postal Service’s governing board Friday.Memos from post office leadership, obtained by The Associated Press, detailed an elimination of overtime and a halting of late delivery trips that are sometimes needed to make sure deliveries arrive on time. One document said if distribution centers are running behind, “they will keep the mail for the next day.” Another said: “One aspect of these changes that may be difficult for employees is that — temporarily — we may see mail left behind or mail on the workroom floor or docks.”Additional records obtained by AP outline upcoming reductions of hours at post offices, including closures during lunch and on Saturdays. Rumors have also circulated about the potential for entire offices to shutter, after the Postal Service told Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., that regional managers there have identified 12 offices for “feasibility studies.” Postal employees have been recently instructed not to talk to news media while on duty, according to another memo obtained by AP.The changes have taken their toll on the Postal Service’s 630,000 employees.“As they risk their health each day along with other front-line essential workers, letter carriers have become angry, frustrated and embarrassed by various USPS management initiatives that are now resulting in delayed mail and undelivered routes in many areas of the country,” said Fredric Rolando, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, which represents nearly 300,000 carriers nationwide.The new policies have angered lawmakers from both parties and drawn criticism from former President Barack Obama, who said the current administration is “undermining the Postal Service in an election that’s going to be dependent on mail-in ballots.”DeJoy has been the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/200730_LettertoPMGDeJoy.pdf" target="_blank">target&nbsp;</a>of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/1/1/11cc422b-110d-4efd-8487-b2e31f4c3eb8/DF9F8C63E54797C5E21CB57825FA2FA3.080620usps.pdf" target="_blank">multiple&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.daines.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/USPS%20-%20Mail%20Delay.%202020.08.06.pdf" target="_blank">letters&nbsp;</a>from members of Congress who have called on the postmaster general to rescind his measures and have complained about a lack of transparency from the agency. Eighty-four House members, including four Republicans, signed a letter that said it is “vital that the Postal Service does not reduce mail delivery hours, which could harm rural communities, seniors, small businesses and millions of Americans who rely on the mail for critical letters and packages.″House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., had a closed-door meeting with DeJoy this past week to discuss the agency’s worsening performance and need for emergency funding. Schumer later described it as “a heated discussion.″Pelosi and Schumer followed up with a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.democrats.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Schumer%20Pelosi%20DeJoy%20Letter%20v2%20FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">letter&nbsp;</a>to DeJoy that said the operational changes “threaten the timely delivery of mail — including medicines for seniors, paychecks for workers, and absentee ballots for voters — that is essential to millions of Americans.”During a meeting Friday with the Postal Service governing board, DeJoy said the agency is not slowing down election mail and remains committed to fulfilling its role in elections.“Although there will likely be an unprecedented increase in election mail volume due to the pandemic, the Postal Service has ample capacity to deliver all election mail securely and on-time in accordance with our delivery standards, and we will do so,” he said. “However, as discussed, we cannot correct the errors of the Election Boards if they fail to deploy processes that take our normal processing and delivery standards into account.”In West Virginia, Sini Melvin, president of an American Postal Workers Union chapter in a northern part of the state, said she has serious concerns about the post office’s ability to deliver ballots on time this fall if current policies hold.“It’s like they’re setting us up for failure,” she said,

Postal Service emerges as flash point heading into election

JEFFERSON COUNTY —Staff members at USD 342, McLouth in Jefferson County, Kansas tested positive for COVID-19, according to a letter sent to parents and posted on the district's web site.

Per the district's established protocol, they have closed off the building so that it can be thoroughly clean and disinfected.

The building will remain closed through Friday and is scheduled to reopen Monday, according to the letter.

"We are also in contact with the Jefferson County Department of Health and will take the steps necessary to protect the health of our McLouth family.&nbsp; The individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 will not be allowed to return to school until their isolation period is complete and they are symptom free."

The symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. Some have reported additional symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, fatigue, lack of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Individuals who need medical care should call their medical provider to report their illness prior to seeking care at a clinic, physician’s office, or hospital. Anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should contact the Jefferson County Health Department.

JEFFERSON COUNTY —Staff members at USD 342, McLouth in Jefferson County, Kansas tested positive for COVID-19, according to a letter sent to parents and posted on the district's web site.Per the district's established protocol, they have closed off the building so that it can be thoroughly clean and disinfected.The building will remain closed through Friday and is scheduled to reopen Monday, according to the letter."We are also in contact with the Jefferson County Department of Health and will take the steps necessary to protect the health of our McLouth family.&nbsp; The individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 will not be allowed to return to school until their isolation period is complete and they are symptom free."The symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. Some have reported additional symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, fatigue, lack of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea.Individuals who need medical care should call their medical provider to report their illness prior to seeking care at a clinic, physician’s office, or hospital. Anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should contact the Jefferson County Health Department.

Kan. district closes school building after staff has COVID-19

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man and his 15-year-old daughter whose violent handling at the hands of Kansas City police has been widely viewed online are now suing several of the officers.

Tarence Maddox and his daughter were at a May 30 protest at the Country Club Plaza to protest police brutality in the wake of the police-involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Maddox yelled at police that they were using excessive force when a line of officers descended on them, the lawsuit says, dousing Maddox and his daughter with pepper spray and pulling Maddox into the street to arrest him. One of the officers pulled Maddox’s daughter toward him and sprayed her directly in the eyes from about 4 inches away, the lawsuit says. She had “in no way” hindered his ability to make an arrest, said Maddox's attorney, Tom Porto.

The incident was captured on video, which has been viewed more than 8.6 million times on Twitter.

The lawsuit accuses the officers of deliberately harming Maddox and his daughter, despite the pair posing no threat to the officers, Porto said. Maddox also suffered permanent injury to his knee during the arrest that required surgery, the attorney said.

Police at the time said they would review the officers’ actions, but did not immediately respond to the newspaper's request Tuesday for comment on the lawsuit.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man and his 15-year-old daughter whose violent handling at the hands of Kansas City police has been widely viewed online are now suing several of the officers.Tarence Maddox and his daughter were at a May 30 protest at the Country Club Plaza to protest police brutality in the wake of the police-involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.Maddox yelled at police that they were using excessive force when a line of officers descended on them, the lawsuit says, dousing Maddox and his daughter with pepper spray and pulling Maddox into the street to arrest him. One of the officers pulled Maddox’s daughter toward him and sprayed her directly in the eyes from about 4 inches away, the lawsuit says. She had “in no way” hindered his ability to make an arrest, said Maddox's attorney, Tom Porto.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/kcpolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kcpolice</a> WE are disappointed. This man was using his WORDS and was responded to with WEAPONS. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackLivesMatter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlackLivesMatter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JusticeForGeorge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JusticeForGeorge</a> <a href="https://t.co/B7Ef7qAzK3">pic.twitter.com/B7Ef7qAzK3</a>&mdash; 🤍🖤🤎 (@Elise_Villa) <a href="https://twitter.com/Elise_Villa/status/1266923192612016129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The incident was captured on video, which has been viewed more than 8.6 million times on Twitter.The lawsuit accuses the officers of deliberately harming Maddox and his daughter, despite the pair posing no threat to the officers, Porto said. Maddox also suffered permanent injury to his knee during the arrest that required surgery, the attorney said.Police at the time said they would review the officers’ actions, but did not immediately respond to the newspaper's request Tuesday for comment on the lawsuit.

Man, daughter in protest video sue Kansas City officers

Wichita —The Sedgwick County Detention Facility has 123 confirmed cases of the COVID 19 virus. This includes 112 inmates and 11 cases for staff members, according to Lt. Lanon Thompson.

Testing for all inmates and staff began on Monday. The jail expect to test all current inmates this week. Our current inmate population is 1510 inmates.&nbsp;On July 31, the jail learned an inmate who worked in the jail kitchen tested positive for the virus. There are 54 inmates assigned as kitchen inmate workers. These kitchen workers prepare and deliver meals to the inmates throughout the facility.

The Sedgwick County Detention Facility has been in consultation with experts from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Sedgwick County Health Department and our contracted medical provider. The following steps are being taken to combat the pandemic:

As inmates arrive in the detention facility housing area, they will be housed separately and tested. Once testing results are received, they will be housed according to their test results.

Inmates that have tested positive are being housed together. Inmates that have tested negative are being housed together. Inmates that have tested and are awaiting test results are being housed together.&nbsp; Any inmate that is symptomatic for the Covid-19 virus is being housed separately in isolation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595499501642.png" alt="Sedgwick County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Sedgwick County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>Wichita —The Sedgwick County Detention Facility has 123 confirmed cases of the COVID 19 virus. This includes 112 inmates and 11 cases for staff members, according to Lt. Lanon Thompson.Testing for all inmates and staff began on Monday. The jail expect to test all current inmates this week. Our current inmate population is 1510 inmates.&nbsp;On July 31, the jail learned an inmate who worked in the jail kitchen tested positive for the virus. There are 54 inmates assigned as kitchen inmate workers. These kitchen workers prepare and deliver meals to the inmates throughout the facility.The Sedgwick County Detention Facility has been in consultation with experts from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Sedgwick County Health Department and our contracted medical provider. The following steps are being taken to combat the pandemic:As inmates arrive in the detention facility housing area, they will be housed separately and tested. Once testing results are received, they will be housed according to their test results.Inmates that have tested positive are being housed together. Inmates that have tested negative are being housed together. Inmates that have tested and are awaiting test results are being housed together.&nbsp; Any inmate that is symptomatic for the Covid-19 virus is being housed separately in isolation.

123 new coronavirus cases at Kansas jail

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Police issued thanks on Tuesday to a Caney, Kan. police officer who saved one of their trainees from choking at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.

According to a social media report, the Hutchinson officer turned purple due to lack of air and not being able to get the food out of his throat during a meal at the training academy.

Caney Officer Joe Elliott, recognized that the fellow officer was in serious trouble and performed a Heimlich maneuver on the officer.

As a result of Officer Elliott's quick actions the officers airway was cleared and he was able to breath again. The Officer was transported to an area hospital to be checked out.

The Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center in Hutchinson is the main police academy for officers outside the state's largest cities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597226363937.jpeg" alt="Caney Officer Joe Elliott" />
 <figcaption>Caney Officer Joe Elliott</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Police issued thanks on Tuesday to a Caney, Kan. police officer who saved one of their trainees from choking at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.According to a social media report, the Hutchinson officer turned purple due to lack of air and not being able to get the food out of his throat during a meal at the training academy.Caney Officer Joe Elliott, recognized that the fellow officer was in serious trouble and performed a Heimlich maneuver on the officer.As a result of Officer Elliott's quick actions the officers airway was cleared and he was able to breath again. The Officer was transported to an area hospital to be checked out.The Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center in Hutchinson is the main police academy for officers outside the state's largest cities.

Officer saves Kansas officer's life at training center

BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — Prosecutors are seeking a court order to stop the Kansas child welfare agency from releasing more information about a 3-year-old girl whose battered body was found after her father reported her missing.

The request comes despite a 2018 state law that aims to make such information more readily available when a child dies.

The Kansas Department for Children and Families last month released a “Child Fatality Summary” pertaining to Olivia Ann Jansen of Kansas City, Kansas, in response to an open records request from The Associated Press and other media outlets. The agency then filed notices with interested parties before making public any additional documents.

Olivia’s remains were found in a shallow grave on July 10 after her father, Howard Jansen III, 29, reported her missing. The 29-year-old father and his 33-year-old girlfriend, Jacqulyn Kirkpatrick, have since been charged with felony murder and other crimes.

On Monday, the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office filed motions seeking an injunction prohibiting the release of more records, pending a new hearing or the court’s review of the material to determine if anything can be released with redactions.

The court has already released a redacted probable cause affidavit that shows Olivia’s body was covered with bruises and that she died of a brain bleed. Prosecutors are also specifically objecting to the release of the unredacted affidavit that the child welfare agency has in its files.

The 2018 transparency law says Kansas Department for Children and Families’ documents are a matter of public record when child abuse or neglect results in a child fatality or near fatality.

The summary information already released by the agency shows it received two reports of alleged physical abuse on Feb. 28. One report alleged Olivia’s father hit her on the leg, leaving a bruise and possibly breaking the limb. The other report alleged the father’s girlfriend hit the girl. Both were ruled unsubstantiated after a person who alleged the abuse recanted.

In June, the agency investigated a report alleging the girl’s caregiver was unavailable or unable to care for her and alleging substance abuse. The father tested positive for THC last month.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594403105823.png" alt="Olivia Jansen " />
 <figcaption>Olivia Jansen </figcaption>
 </figure>BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — Prosecutors are seeking a court order to stop the Kansas child welfare agency from releasing more information about a 3-year-old girl whose battered body was found after her father reported her missing.The request comes despite a 2018 state law that aims to make such information more readily available when a child dies.The Kansas Department for Children and Families last month released a “Child Fatality Summary” pertaining to Olivia Ann Jansen of Kansas City, Kansas, in response to an open records request from The Associated Press and other media outlets. The agency then filed notices with interested parties before making public any additional documents.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594468009097.png" alt="Jansen-photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Jansen-photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Olivia’s remains were found in a shallow grave on July 10 after her father, Howard Jansen III, 29, reported her missing. The 29-year-old father and his 33-year-old girlfriend, Jacqulyn Kirkpatrick, have since been charged with felony murder and other crimes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1594490776368.png" alt="Kirkpatrick -photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Kirkpatrick -photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>On Monday, the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office filed motions seeking an injunction prohibiting the release of more records, pending a new hearing or the court’s review of the material to determine if anything can be released with redactions.The court has already released a redacted probable cause affidavit that shows Olivia’s body was covered with bruises and that she died of a brain bleed. Prosecutors are also specifically objecting to the release of the unredacted affidavit that the child welfare agency has in its files.The 2018 transparency law says Kansas Department for Children and Families’ documents are a matter of public record when child abuse or neglect results in a child fatality or near fatality.The summary information already released by the agency shows it received two reports of alleged physical abuse on Feb. 28. One report alleged Olivia’s father hit her on the leg, leaving a bruise and possibly breaking the limb. The other report alleged the father’s girlfriend hit the girl. Both were ruled unsubstantiated after a person who alleged the abuse recanted.In June, the agency investigated a report alleging the girl’s caregiver was unavailable or unable to care for her and alleging substance abuse. The father tested positive for THC last month.

Prosecutors seek to block release of beaten Kan. girl's records

TOPEKA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that left two dead and have identified the victims&nbsp; as Angelo D. Epps, 35, and Calvin E. Coleman Jr. 19, both of Topeka. 

Just after 10 p.m. Monday, police responded to a report of multiple gun shots being fired in the 3800 block of SW South Park in Topeka, according to&nbsp;Lt. Kelvin Johnson.

Officers located three subjects suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

One victim was declared deceased at the scene. The second victim was transported to a local hospital where he died due to his injuries. The third individual was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries. Police have not released the identity of the third victim or additional details.

TOPEKA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that left two dead in Topeka.

Just after 10p.m. Monday, police responded to a report of multiple gun shots being fired in the 3800 block of SW South Park in Topeka, according to&nbsp;LT Kelvin Johnson.

One individual was declared deceased at the scene. The second victim was transported to a local hospital where he died due to his injuries. The third individual was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries.

Police released no additional details early Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597141755476.png" alt="Investigators on the scene of the investigation late Monday-photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Investigators on the scene of the investigation late Monday-photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that left two dead and have identified the victims&nbsp; as Angelo D. Epps, 35, and Calvin E. Coleman Jr. 19, both of Topeka. Just after 10 p.m. Monday, police responded to a report of multiple gun shots being fired in the 3800 block of SW South Park in Topeka, according to&nbsp;Lt. Kelvin Johnson.Officers located three subjects suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.One victim was declared deceased at the scene. The second victim was transported to a local hospital where he died due to his injuries. The third individual was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries. Police have not released the identity of the third victim or additional details.-------TOPEKA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that left two dead in Topeka.Just after 10p.m. Monday, police responded to a report of multiple gun shots being fired in the 3800 block of SW South Park in Topeka, according to&nbsp;LT Kelvin Johnson.Officers located three subjects suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.One individual was declared deceased at the scene. The second victim was transported to a local hospital where he died due to his injuries. The third individual was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries.Police released no additional details early Tuesday.

Update: 2 dead, 1 critically injured in Kansas shooting

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and have a suspect in custody.

Just before 10&nbsp;p.m. Sunday, police responded to a report of a highway robbery at the Pizza Hut in the 300 block of East 47th&nbsp;Street in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. 

Upon arrival, officers contacted a 45-year-old male delivery driver who reported being robbed at gunpoint while delivering a pizza.

The investigation revealed that the 45-year-old went to deliver an order at an apartment complex in the 4100 block of South Seneca.&nbsp; The driver was unable to contact anyone at the apartment.&nbsp; As he was walking back to his vehicle, he was approached by a suspect later identified as 20-year-old Jeramiah Milligan of Wichita who asked to buy the order.&nbsp; 

The driver refused, and Milligan produced a handgun and demanded money and the pizza order from the driver.&nbsp; The driver left the order on the ground and drove away in his vehicle back to the restaurant to call police.

Officers spotted Milligan at a nearby apartment in the 4100 Block of South Seneca and arrested him without incident.&nbsp; Officers later recovered the pizza order as well as a handgun.&nbsp; Milligan was booked on requested charges that include aggravated robbery. 

The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. Milligan remains jailed on a $75,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597090729726.png" alt="Milligan photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Milligan photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and have a suspect in custody.Just before 10&nbsp;p.m. Sunday, police responded to a report of a highway robbery at the Pizza Hut in the 300 block of East 47th&nbsp;Street in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. Upon arrival, officers contacted a 45-year-old male delivery driver who reported being robbed at gunpoint while delivering a pizza.The investigation revealed that the 45-year-old went to deliver an order at an apartment complex in the 4100 block of South Seneca.&nbsp; The driver was unable to contact anyone at the apartment.&nbsp; As he was walking back to his vehicle, he was approached by a suspect later identified as 20-year-old Jeramiah Milligan of Wichita who asked to buy the order.&nbsp; The driver refused, and Milligan produced a handgun and demanded money and the pizza order from the driver.&nbsp; The driver left the order on the ground and drove away in his vehicle back to the restaurant to call police.Officers spotted Milligan at a nearby apartment in the 4100 Block of South Seneca and arrested him without incident.&nbsp; Officers later recovered the pizza order as well as a handgun.&nbsp; Milligan was booked on requested charges that include aggravated robbery. The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office. Milligan remains jailed on a $75,000 bond.

Police: Kan. man pulled a gun on pizza delivery driver

UPDATE: This story has been updated to include the wording "out-of-state" to the section about mass gatherings of 500 or greater. That wording was left off of a news release sent to media, however it does appear in the information on the KDHE website.

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list, removing the state of Florida and adding attendance at out-of-state mass gatherings greater than 500 people, according to a media release from the agency.

Additionally, those countries with a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice with restrictions remain.

This list is effective for all persons returning to or entering Kansas on the effective dates. The state will review/update this list every two weeks. A comprehensive list of those individuals needing to quarantine for 14 days includes visitors and Kansans who have:

<a>Others needing to continue quarantining:</a>

Travel quarantines do not prohibit travel through Kansas. People from these locations may still travel through Kansas. If this is done, KDHE recommends limited stops, wearing a mask at rest stops or when getting gas and being 6’ from others when doing so. If the destination is Kansas, they would be required to quarantine upon arrival to their destination.

Critical infrastructure sector employees who have travelled to these destinations should contact their local health department regarding instructions for application of these quarantine orders while working. Critical infrastructure employees, such as public health, law enforcement, food supply, etc., need to have the staffing resources to continue serving Kansans so the local health department may allow a modified quarantine. Please note the only exemption for these quarantine mandates for critical infrastructure sector employees is work – they are not to go any other locations outside of work.

UPDATE: This story has been updated to include the wording "out-of-state" to the section about mass gatherings of 500 or greater. That wording was left off of a news release sent to media, however it does appear in the information on the KDHE website.TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list, removing the state of Florida and adding attendance at out-of-state mass gatherings greater than 500 people, according to a media release from the agency.Additionally, those countries with a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice with restrictions remain.This list is effective for all persons returning to or entering Kansas on the effective dates. The state will review/update this list every two weeks. A comprehensive list of those individuals needing to quarantine for 14 days includes visitors and Kansans who have:<ul>
 <li><a>Attended/traveled to out-of-state mass gathering events of 500 people or greater on or after August 11.</a></li><li>Traveled to/from Florida between June 29 – August 11.&nbsp;</li><li>Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15.</li><li><a>International travel on or after July 14 to countries with a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice, including China, Iran, European Schengen area, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and Brazil. International travelers must follow&nbsp;</a><a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Ftravelers%2Ffrom-other-countries.html&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7Cadde893d0d024bf0fc9908d83e22597a%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637327664750923792&amp;sdata=yVP2xONlDfuahO%2F%2BZw%2BSmd5D9qZDYGMEGSOOvrpDjUg%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">CDC guidance and protocols</a>.</li>
 </ul><a>Others needing to continue quarantining:</a><ul>
 <li>Anyone subject to a travel-related quarantine for a state or country previously on the travel-related quarantine list must complete their 14-day quarantine period.</li><li>Received notification from public health officials (state or local) that you are a close contact of a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19.</li>
 </ul>Travel quarantines do not prohibit travel through Kansas. People from these locations may still travel through Kansas. If this is done, KDHE recommends limited stops, wearing a mask at rest stops or when getting gas and being 6’ from others when doing so. If the destination is Kansas, they would be required to quarantine upon arrival to their destination.Critical infrastructure sector employees who have travelled to these destinations should contact their local health department regarding instructions for application of these quarantine orders while working. Critical infrastructure employees, such as public health, law enforcement, food supply, etc., need to have the staffing resources to continue serving Kansans so the local health department may allow a modified quarantine. Please note the only exemption for these quarantine mandates for critical infrastructure sector employees is work – they are not to go any other locations outside of work.

UPDATE: Quarantine after out-of-state mass gatherings of 500+ 

Officers responding to a suspicious person call early Sunday morning in Hays were treated to an unusual sight.

At 4:52 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to a report of a man yelling from the roof of the fire department station at 1507 Main, according to Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler.

The reporting party said the man did not appear to be wearing a shirt, but when officers arrived they found he was missing more than just a shirt.

When officers made contact with the reportedly highly intoxicated suspect on the roof, they found he was sitting in the middle of the roof naked, Scheibler said.

He was, however, covered in black tar residue from the roof.

The suspect was identified as Zakai Hunter Ingdalson, 21, Kinsley.

Upon investigation, officers found a roof vent cap had been torn off, damaging the seal.

Damages were estimated under $500, according to Scheibler.

Ingdalson was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and criminal trespass.

By JAMES BELL Hays PostOfficers responding to a suspicious person call early Sunday morning in Hays were treated to an unusual sight.At 4:52 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to a report of a man yelling from the roof of the fire department station at 1507 Main, according to Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler.The reporting party said the man did not appear to be wearing a shirt, but when officers arrived they found he was missing more than just a shirt.When officers made contact with the reportedly highly intoxicated suspect on the roof, they found he was sitting in the middle of the roof naked, Scheibler said.He was, however, covered in black tar residue from the roof.The suspect was identified as Zakai Hunter Ingdalson, 21, Kinsley.Upon investigation, officers found a roof vent cap had been torn off, damaging the seal.Damages were estimated under $500, according to Scheibler.Ingdalson was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and criminal trespass.

Naked man arrested on roof of Hays fire station

SALINE COUNTY—Updated DNA testing has confirmed the identification of "Miss Molly," as Robin Ann Green from Los Angeles, California, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan announced during a Tuesday news conference.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597183265225.jpeg" alt="Sheriff Roger Soldan made the announcement Tuesday afternoon." />
 <figcaption>Sheriff Roger Soldan made the announcement Tuesday afternoon.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY—Updated DNA testing has confirmed the identification of "Miss Molly," as Robin Ann Green from Los Angeles, California, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan announced during a Tuesday news conference.Her body was found in a creek along Interstate 70 in Saline County on Jan. 25, 1986. She was last seen on Dec. 28, 1985 after visiting family members in Minnesota, according to the sheriff.&nbsp;&nbsp;Green and her husband had lived in southern California. The&nbsp;house they lived in was seized as part of a drug investigation, according to Soldan.&nbsp; He died in 2007.Robin Green's family made a request that authorities not identify them. They traveled to Saline County last weekend to visit her grave, according to Soldan.This is still an open homicide investigation, according to Soldan.&nbsp;Investigators don't know how she came to Kansas.On July 29, 2019, Green's body was exhumed from Gypsum Hill Cemetery in Saline County so that samples could be obtained for DNA testing. The resulting DNA profile was entered in the FBI Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and in late February the Saline County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a possible familial match was obtained, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.-------SALINE COUNTY —Updated DNA testing has resulted in the identification of "Miss Molly," an unidentified deceased woman who was found in a creek along Interstate 70 in Saline County on Jan. 25, 1986.On July 29, 2019, the woman's body was exhumed from Gypsum Hill Cemetery so that samples could be obtained for DNA testing. The resulting DNA profile was entered in the FBI Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and in late February the Saline County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a possible familial match was obtained, according to a news release from the sheriff's office this morning."After further examination this match provided positive identification of ‘Miss Molly’ which has since been confirmed thru dental records," according to the release.