TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansans struggling to find work amid the coronavirus pandemic can receive unemployment for 13 more weeks.

The Kansas Department of Labor announced Thursday that the state has qualified for a program that provides federal reimbursement for extended benefits during periods of high unemployment.

“With extended benefits triggered, Kansans will have an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits available to them by the end of June,” Secretary García said. “We are grateful for this additional benefit that helps families struggling as a result of this global pandemic.”

Workers must have exhausted regular unemployment insurance benefits to qualify.

The insured unemployment rate in Kansas was 6.67% for the week ending June 6, according to the state’s labor department. That exceeds the 5% threshold and other federal requirements to prompt the extension.

New data released Friday shows Kansas has at least 12,059 coronavirus cases, up 3% or 378 cases from Wednesday. The state health department also said the number of COVID-19 deaths rose by seven to 254

<a href="https://www.getkansasbenefits.gov/Home.aspx">Click here for more</a> information or to apply for unemployment benefits.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587668925586.png" alt="Delia Garcia, Kansas Secretary of Labor" />
 <figcaption>Delia Garcia, Kansas Secretary of Labor</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansans struggling to find work amid the coronavirus pandemic can receive unemployment for 13 more weeks.The Kansas Department of Labor announced Thursday that the state has qualified for a program that provides federal reimbursement for extended benefits during periods of high unemployment.“With extended benefits triggered, Kansans will have an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits available to them by the end of June,” Secretary García said. “We are grateful for this additional benefit that helps families struggling as a result of this global pandemic.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Thank you for your kindness towards our Customer Service Representatives as they assist you with your claims. We are experiencing a high volume of calls &amp;emails to our Contact Center. Response times are longer than anticipated. Our reps are working hard to assist every claimant. <a href="https://t.co/AqcYc8wBKU">pic.twitter.com/AqcYc8wBKU</a>&mdash; Kansas Department of Labor (@KansasDOL) <a href="https://twitter.com/KansasDOL/status/1273663587014381569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Workers must have exhausted regular unemployment insurance benefits to qualify.The insured unemployment rate in Kansas was 6.67% for the week ending June 6, according to the state’s labor department. That exceeds the 5% threshold and other federal requirements to prompt the extension.New data released Friday shows Kansas has at least 12,059 coronavirus cases, up 3% or 378 cases from Wednesday. The state health department also said the number of COVID-19 deaths rose by seven to 254<a href="https://www.getkansasbenefits.gov/Home.aspx">Click here for more</a> information or to apply for unemployment benefits.

Kansans in need can receive extended unemployment benefits

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal motorcycle accident and have identified the victim as 42-year-old Jason McKay of Wichita.

Just after 9p.m. Thursday, police responded to the crash at 53rd Street North and Porter in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

A 2005 Chrysler Town and Country driven by an 81-year-old man was eastbound on 53rd Street North and turning north onto Porter Street.

A westbound 2007 Suzuki motorcycle driven by McKay struck the van. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he died.

The van driver was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries and released. An 81-year-old female passenger in the van was not injured.

McKay was not wearing a helmet, according to Davidson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592578331918.png" alt="First responders on the scene of the fatal crash -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene of the fatal crash -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal motorcycle accident and have identified the victim as 42-year-old Jason McKay of Wichita.Just after 9p.m. Thursday, police responded to the crash at 53rd Street North and Porter in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.A 2005 Chrysler Town and Country driven by an 81-year-old man was eastbound on 53rd Street North and turning north onto Porter Street.A westbound 2007 Suzuki motorcycle driven by McKay struck the van. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he died.The van driver was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries and released. An 81-year-old female passenger in the van was not injured.McKay was not wearing a helmet, according to Davidson.

Police ID Kansas man who died in motorcycle, van crash

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City officials will not pursue misdemeanor charges against those who took part in peaceful street protests to decry racial injustice following the police-involved killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

The City Council voted 9-2 Thursday to bar the city from prosecuting protesters, as long as they didn’t commit a violent crime or damage property, the Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article243637402.html">reported</a>.

“It’s important because as elected officials, we have a duty and a charge to understand issues, understand the law and preserve democracy,” said Councilman Brandon Ellington, who introduced the legislation.

More than 220 people who took to the streets from May 29 through June 2 were arrested. Supporters of Thursday's decision have said police incited unrest by showing up in riot gear, pepper spraying the crowd and deploying tear gas. The police union had opposed dropping the charges against protesters.

The ordinance would not protect those who may have caused property damage or committed violent acts.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1591180588986.png" alt="Protesters facing police near the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Protesters facing police near the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City officials will not pursue misdemeanor charges against those who took part in peaceful street protests to decry racial injustice following the police-involved killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.The City Council voted 9-2 Thursday to bar the city from prosecuting protesters, as long as they didn’t commit a violent crime or damage property, the Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article243637402.html">reported</a>.“It’s important because as elected officials, we have a duty and a charge to understand issues, understand the law and preserve democracy,” said Councilman Brandon Ellington, who introduced the legislation.More than 220 people who took to the streets from May 29 through June 2 were arrested. Supporters of Thursday's decision have said police incited unrest by showing up in riot gear, pepper spraying the crowd and deploying tear gas. The police union had opposed dropping the charges against protesters.The ordinance would not protect those who may have caused property damage or committed violent acts.

Kansas City won't prosecute nonviolent protesters

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 378 to a total of 12,059, the state health department reported Friday 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 378 to a total of 12,059, the state health department reported Friday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 254<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/2020/6/1592586451135.png" alt="Friday June 19 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Friday June 19 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

TOPEKA –&nbsp;In recognition of the celebration of the ending of slavery in our nation, Governor Laura Kelly today was joined by the Topeka Family and Friends Juneteenth Committee to sign a proclamation recognizing June 19, 2020, as Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Kansas.

“Juneteenth is an opportunity to recognize our nation's conflicting history, reflect on our struggle to reach true freedom for all Americans, and pledge to continue fighting to end systemic racism. As Kansans, we can and must do better.”

The proclamation recognizes that, following the creation of Juneteenth in 1865, African American people continued to fight for equality and fairness while serving in America’s wars and conflicts, exemplifying courage, patriotism and exhibiting patience with grace in the face of violence, segregation, and Jim Crow Laws.

“Today, while we are remembering the importance of Juneteenth in our country's history, I urge all Kansans to join me in making a commitment to end systemic racism in our country,” Governor Kelly said. “My administration is committed to making Kansas a more equitable place for everyone who chooses to call this state their home.”

The proclamation continues: “in the ongoing national dialogue of the meaning of freedom, Kansans remain committed to ensuring the value and dignity of all people; and

“Whereas, the struggle for freedom and justice for all people must be continuously remembered and honored; and

“Now therefore, I, Laura Kelly, Governor of the state of Kansas, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the State of Kansas, do hereby proclaim June 19th, 2020 as Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Kansas and I urge all citizens to join in this observation.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592585648578.png" alt="Photo courtesy office of Kansas governor" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy office of Kansas governor</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA –&nbsp;In recognition of the celebration of the ending of slavery in our nation, Governor Laura Kelly today was joined by the Topeka Family and Friends Juneteenth Committee to sign a proclamation recognizing June 19, 2020, as Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Kansas.“Juneteenth is an opportunity to recognize our nation's conflicting history, reflect on our struggle to reach true freedom for all Americans, and pledge to continue fighting to end systemic racism. As Kansans, we can and must do better.”The proclamation recognizes that, following the creation of Juneteenth in 1865, African American people continued to fight for equality and fairness while serving in America’s wars and conflicts, exemplifying courage, patriotism and exhibiting patience with grace in the face of violence, segregation, and Jim Crow Laws.“Today, while we are remembering the importance of Juneteenth in our country's history, I urge all Kansans to join me in making a commitment to end systemic racism in our country,” Governor Kelly said. “My administration is committed to making Kansas a more equitable place for everyone who chooses to call this state their home.”The proclamation continues: “in the ongoing national dialogue of the meaning of freedom, Kansans remain committed to ensuring the value and dignity of all people; and“Whereas, the struggle for freedom and justice for all people must be continuously remembered and honored; and“Now therefore, I, Laura Kelly, Governor of the state of Kansas, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the State of Kansas, do hereby proclaim June 19th, 2020 as Juneteenth National Freedom Day in Kansas and I urge all citizens to join in this observation.”

Governor Kelly proclaims June 19 as Juneteenth National Freedom Day

By
NICK GOSNELL <a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch
Post</a>


HUTCHINSON — 
Demand continues to increase as the summer solstice approaches, so gas prices have continued to rise in Kansas.

"Since
 mid-May nationwide, gasoline demand has increased 18% to about 7.9 
million barrels per day," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "That slow
 but steady demand has pushed the national gas price up by 13% in that 
same time frame. In Kansas, today's average gas price is $1.90, which is
 up from $1.58 a month ago."

Gas will continue to go up in the short term, but not dramatically right away.

"More
 driving is leading to growing gasoline demand," Steward said. "It's 
slow but steady, but we don't anticipate seeing a spike to typical 
summer prices. The demand this summer won't be sufficient to drive down 
the stock levels of gas that we had in the system backed up from during 
the shutdowns during the coronavirus. There's so much oil and gas in the
 system. It's taking a while for us to work through that."

With 
that said, gas will likely get above $2 a gallon at some point, but not 
near $2.50 as it has been during the summer in past years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592583302431.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL <a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch
Post</a>
HUTCHINSON — 
Demand continues to increase as the summer solstice approaches, so gas prices have continued to rise in Kansas."Since
 mid-May nationwide, gasoline demand has increased 18% to about 7.9 
million barrels per day," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "That slow
 but steady demand has pushed the national gas price up by 13% in that 
same time frame. In Kansas, today's average gas price is $1.90, which is
 up from $1.58 a month ago."Kansas is 11th cheapest in the nation.Gas will continue to go up in the short term, but not dramatically right away."More
 driving is leading to growing gasoline demand," Steward said. "It's 
slow but steady, but we don't anticipate seeing a spike to typical 
summer prices. The demand this summer won't be sufficient to drive down 
the stock levels of gas that we had in the system backed up from during 
the shutdowns during the coronavirus. There's so much oil and gas in the
 system. It's taking a while for us to work through that."With 
that said, gas will likely get above $2 a gallon at some point, but not 
near $2.50 as it has been during the summer in past years.

Gasoline demand and prices going up slowly

SALINE COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Thursday in Saline County.

A 2014 Ram pickup driven by Eric Bloomquist, 54, Assaria, was eastbound in the 500 Salemsborg Road one mile north of Assaria, according to Sheriff Roger Soldan.

The pickup struck the drivers side of a 1998 Honda Accord driven by Elizabeth Scott, 39, Lindsborg, that pulled out of a residence.

Scott was pronounced dead at the scene. Bloomquist was not injured.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592580477904.jpeg" alt="Honda Accord involved in the fatal crash -photo Saline Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Honda Accord involved in the fatal crash -photo Saline Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 8:30p.m. Thursday in Saline County.A 2014 Ram pickup driven by Eric Bloomquist, 54, Assaria, was eastbound in the 500 Salemsborg Road one mile north of Assaria, according to Sheriff Roger Soldan.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592580697548.jpeg" alt="The Dodge Ram involved in fatality accident -photo Saline Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>The Dodge Ram involved in fatality accident -photo Saline Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>The pickup struck the drivers side of a 1998 Honda Accord driven by Elizabeth Scott, 39, Lindsborg, that pulled out of a residence.Scott was pronounced dead at the scene. Bloomquist was not injured..

Kansas woman dies after 2-vehicle crash 

By LAURA ZIEGLER &amp; JODI FORTINO <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-06-18/thousands-of-daca-recipients-in-kansas-and-missouri-are-protected-for-now-after-supreme-court-ruling">Kansas News Service</a>

Thousands of so-called "Dreamers" in Kansas and Missouri will be protected for the time being.

The
 U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the Trump administration could 
not move forward with its plan to end the 2012 program known as DACA, or
 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.

Kansas City attorney Rekha Sharma-Crawford has counseled hundreds of immigrants about the program in the last eight years.

“For
 the hundreds or maybe even thousands of DACA recipients here locally, 
this is a day of relief, that they can finally feel like that constant 
waiting on the judge’s decision is over," she says.

There are more
 than 6,800 DACA recipients in the state of Kansas and more than 3,500 
in Missouri, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
 Immigration lawyers, activists, and advocates, however, believe those 
numbers do not reflect the total number who came to the country at a 
young age and are now currently working or studying in the United 
States.

The <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/context/read-supreme-court-s-daca-ruling/35b6a295-978e-41d6-84be-3124628a3652/?itid=lk_inline_manual_3" target="_blank">5-4 decision</a>
 does not indefinately clear DACA recipients. Sharma-Crawford says the 
administration has the power to come back at a later time and undo the 
program.

“I don’t think there is time during this administration, 
especially with the election so close," she says. "But Dreamers are 
still at risk as long as <a href="https://www.npr.org/2017/09/06/548766330/here-s-how-congress-could-act-to-save-daca" target="_blank">Congress fails to act</a>. So the Supreme Court today offered a ray of sunshine in a very dark time but I don’t think it’s all over yet.”

The
 DREAM Act was first introduced into Congress in 2001. It was designed 
to allow temporary legal status to immigrants who entered the United 
States as minors and meet certain criteria. Despite years of debate, 
Congress has failed to pass the law.

Maria Franco is a senior 
engineering student at UMKC and a DACA recipient. She moved to the U.S. 
from Mexico with her family when she was 2 years old

For Franco, 
the ruling doesn’t mean activists can relax. She says there will still 
be fear among DACA recipients because it’s clear there are those who 
still want to overturn the program.

“It's a big sigh of relief, 
for sure, because now we don't have to worry until they try it again,” 
she says in response to the Supreme Court ruling. “It's a little scary. 
The fact that the ruling was five to four means there are four judges 
that are supporting Trump basically.”

Franco says the Trump 
administration’s attempts to block DACA have impacted many of her 
friends, who are now not allowed to apply.

“I'm trying to talk to 
some lawyers to see, ‘Hey guys, when can we start having new applicants 
apply?’ Because I know so many kids that need to apply to the program so
 they can stay at least protected for a little bit,” she says. “Even if 
it is for two years, so they can go to college and get a job so they can
 pay for school.”

Franco says the recent protests in support of the black community will help those Latino activists and their allies.

“More
 people are going to start pushing forward DACA and the immigrants,” she
 says. “We're getting a team to try to advocate for that and see what we
 can do since Black Lives Matter is also on board and there is so much 
going on in the world right now.”

Complicated logistics for the young adults who have received DACA

The
 DACA program applies to those who came to the United States before they
 were 16 in 2012, and have lived here for at least 5 years. Recipients 
have to have been enrolled in high school or college and without any 
history of serious crime.

Zach Roberson is an immigration lawyer 
in Olathe, Kansas, who has counseled dozens of DACA recipients. He says 
he was pleasantly surprised by today’s ruling.

“It’s going to help
 a lot of my clients, obviously, and I’ve already gotten several calls 
that people are very happy,” he said Thursday morning.

But he reitereated this is not the end of the road for DACA recipients.

<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/context/read-supreme-court-s-daca-ruling/35b6a295-978e-41d6-84be-3124628a3652/?itid=lk_interstitial_manual_12" target="_blank">In his ruling</a>,
 Chief Justice Roberts said, “We do not decide whether DACA or its 
rescission are sound policies. We address only whether the agency 
[Department of Homeland Security] complied with the procedural 
requirement that it provide a reasoned explanation for its action.”

Roberson
 said this still leaves DACA recipients in limbo, wondering if their 
status will later be denied, and exactly how the Trump administration 
and Congress will react.

“There is still a lot we will be sorting out for some time,” Roberson said.

Irene
 Caudillo, president and CEO of El Centro, says the agency has supported
 hundreds of DACA recipients in Wyandotte and Johnson counties with 
thousands of dollars in application and renewal fees. Many of these 
young people have for many years worked on the front lines of health 
care, education and essential jobs.

In spite of the uncertainty that lingers for those with DACA status in Thursday's decision, she says today is a happy day.

“We
 are grateful. We cried. We cheered,” she says. “We are excited for the 
many young people who have only known Kansas City as their only 
residency and community.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592578940808.jpeg" alt="Photo by Nitish Meena on Unsplash" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Nitish Meena on Unsplash</figcaption>
 </figure>By LAURA ZIEGLER &amp; JODI FORTINO <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-06-18/thousands-of-daca-recipients-in-kansas-and-missouri-are-protected-for-now-after-supreme-court-ruling">Kansas News Service</a>Thousands of so-called "Dreamers" in Kansas and Missouri will be protected for the time being.The
 U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the Trump administration could 
not move forward with its plan to end the 2012 program known as DACA, or
 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.Kansas City attorney Rekha Sharma-Crawford has counseled hundreds of immigrants about the program in the last eight years.“For
 the hundreds or maybe even thousands of DACA recipients here locally, 
this is a day of relief, that they can finally feel like that constant 
waiting on the judge’s decision is over," she says.There are more
 than 6,800 DACA recipients in the state of Kansas and more than 3,500 
in Missouri, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
 Immigration lawyers, activists, and advocates, however, believe those 
numbers do not reflect the total number who came to the country at a 
young age and are now currently working or studying in the United 
States.The <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/context/read-supreme-court-s-daca-ruling/35b6a295-978e-41d6-84be-3124628a3652/?itid=lk_inline_manual_3" target="_blank">5-4 decision</a>
 does not indefinately clear DACA recipients. Sharma-Crawford says the 
administration has the power to come back at a later time and undo the 
program.“I don’t think there is time during this administration, 
especially with the election so close," she says. "But Dreamers are 
still at risk as long as <a href="https://www.npr.org/2017/09/06/548766330/here-s-how-congress-could-act-to-save-daca" target="_blank">Congress fails to act</a>. So the Supreme Court today offered a ray of sunshine in a very dark time but I don’t think it’s all over yet.”The
 DREAM Act was first introduced into Congress in 2001. It was designed 
to allow temporary legal status to immigrants who entered the United 
States as minors and meet certain criteria. Despite years of debate, 
Congress has failed to pass the law.Maria Franco is a senior 
engineering student at UMKC and a DACA recipient. She moved to the U.S. 
from Mexico with her family when she was 2 years oldFor Franco, 
the ruling doesn’t mean activists can relax. She says there will still 
be fear among DACA recipients because it’s clear there are those who 
still want to overturn the program.“It's a big sigh of relief, 
for sure, because now we don't have to worry until they try it again,” 
she says in response to the Supreme Court ruling. “It's a little scary. 
The fact that the ruling was five to four means there are four judges 
that are supporting Trump basically.”Franco says the Trump 
administration’s attempts to block DACA have impacted many of her 
friends, who are now not allowed to apply.“I'm trying to talk to 
some lawyers to see, ‘Hey guys, when can we start having new applicants 
apply?’ Because I know so many kids that need to apply to the program so
 they can stay at least protected for a little bit,” she says. “Even if 
it is for two years, so they can go to college and get a job so they can
 pay for school.”Franco says the recent protests in support of the black community will help those Latino activists and their allies.“More
 people are going to start pushing forward DACA and the immigrants,” she
 says. “We're getting a team to try to advocate for that and see what we
 can do since Black Lives Matter is also on board and there is so much 
going on in the world right now.”<h2>Complicated logistics for the young adults who have received DACA</h2>The
 DACA program applies to those who came to the United States before they
 were 16 in 2012, and have lived here for at least 5 years. Recipients 
have to have been enrolled in high school or college and without any 
history of serious crime.Zach Roberson is an immigration lawyer 
in Olathe, Kansas, who has counseled dozens of DACA recipients. He says 
he was pleasantly surprised by today’s ruling.“It’s going to help
 a lot of my clients, obviously, and I’ve already gotten several calls 
that people are very happy,” he said Thursday morning.But he reitereated this is not the end of the road for DACA recipients.<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/context/read-supreme-court-s-daca-ruling/35b6a295-978e-41d6-84be-3124628a3652/?itid=lk_interstitial_manual_12" target="_blank">In his ruling</a>,
 Chief Justice Roberts said, “We do not decide whether DACA or its 
rescission are sound policies. We address only whether the agency 
[Department of Homeland Security] complied with the procedural 
requirement that it provide a reasoned explanation for its action.”Roberson
 said this still leaves DACA recipients in limbo, wondering if their 
status will later be denied, and exactly how the Trump administration 
and Congress will react.“There is still a lot we will be sorting out for some time,” Roberson said.Irene
 Caudillo, president and CEO of El Centro, says the agency has supported
 hundreds of DACA recipients in Wyandotte and Johnson counties with 
thousands of dollars in application and renewal fees. Many of these 
young people have for many years worked on the front lines of health 
care, education and essential jobs.In spite of the uncertainty that lingers for those with DACA status in Thursday's decision, she says today is a happy day.“We
 are grateful. We cried. We cheered,” she says. “We are excited for the 
many young people who have only known Kansas City as their only 
residency and community.”

Thousands of DACA recipients in Kan., Mo. protected after court ruling ... for now

DOUGLAS COUNTY— Six people died in an accident just after 6:30p.m. Thursday in Douglas County.

A Ford Fusion and a GMC passenger vehicle were involved in a head-on collision and fire on&nbsp;40 Highway/S. Lawrence Trafficway, just west of 59 Highway, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fire consumed the Fusion and the six occupants died at the scene.

The GMC was partially burned. EMS transported the female driver to a hospital with serious injuries, according to the sheriff's department.

The Kansas Department of Transportation temporarily closed the road in both directions between the 27th Street intersection and U.S. 59, a stretch of two-lane highway with no median.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Authorities released no additional information Friday morning.

DOUGLAS COUNTY— Six people died in an accident just after 6:30p.m. Thursday in Douglas County.A Ford Fusion and a GMC passenger vehicle were involved in a head-on collision and fire on&nbsp;40 Highway/S. Lawrence Trafficway, just west of 59 Highway, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fire consumed the Fusion and the six occupants died at the scene.The GMC was partially burned. EMS transported the female driver to a hospital with serious injuries, according to the sheriff's department.The Kansas Department of Transportation temporarily closed the road in both directions between the 27th Street intersection and U.S. 59, a stretch of two-lane highway with no median.&nbsp; &nbsp;Authorities released no additional information Friday morning.

Sheriff: 6 dead after Kansas head-on crash, fire

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he will renew his administration’s effort to end legal protections for young immigrants after Supreme Court blocked the first try. 

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday upheld legal protections for young immigrants, but its ruling doesn't provide a guarantee that they'll get to keep them long term. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program allows hundreds of thousands of immigrants to live and work legally in the United States and shields them from deportation.

The Supreme Court didn't say Trump can't end the program, just that his administration went about it the wrong way.&nbsp;

A divided Congress is unlikely to pass legislation providing a path to citizenship anytime soon. But advocates vow to keep fighting for legislation for a long-term solution for 650,000 immigrants who were brought to the country as children.&nbsp;

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected President Donald Trump’s effort to end legal protections for 650,000 young immigrants, the second stunning election-season rebuke from the court in a week after its ruling that it’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/5a7b0e41a47a3c571dda69194758e7b1">illegal to fire people because they’re gay or transgender</a>.

Immigrants who are part of the 8-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fc91e0e0453c4658888149c5c9590fc2">Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program</a>&nbsp;will retain their protection from deportation and their authorization to work in the United States — safe almost certainly at least through the November election, immigration experts said.

The 5-4 outcome, in which Chief Justice John Roberts and the four liberal justices were in the majority, seems certain to elevate the issue in Trump’s campaign, given the anti-immigrant rhetoric of his first presidential run in 2016 and immigration restrictions his administration has imposed since then.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly praised the decision,&nbsp;“Today’s decision by the United States Supreme Court to uphold protections for Dreamers was the right one. Dreamers have contributed much to our communities and to our economy, and ending DACA would have cost our state more than $335.9 million every year, " she said in a media release.

"There are more than 6,000 DACA recipients in Kansas -- they serve in our military, work in our hospitals, teach our kids, and pay taxes. They were brought here as children, this is their home, they belong here.”

The justices said the administration did not take the proper steps to end DACA, rejecting arguments that the program is illegal and that courts have no role to play in reviewing the decision to end it.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4d9ce48241c4a881adea4849b50b7f83">The program covers people who have been in the United States since they were children and are in the country illegally.</a>&nbsp;In some cases, they have no memory of any home other than the U.S.

Trump didn’t hold back in his assessment of the court’s work, hitting hard at a political angle.

“These horrible &amp; politically charged decisions coming out of the Supreme Court are shotgun blasts into the face of people that are proud to call themselves Republicans or Conservatives. We need more Justices or we will lose our 2nd Amendment &amp; everything else. Vote Trump 2020!” he wrote on Twitter, apparently including the LGBT ruling as well.

In a second tweet, he wrote, “Do you get the impression that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ab215fc5f71b8d24e0360f69f011cf67">the Supreme Court doesn’t like me</a>?”

Later, he said the decision showed the need for additional conservative justices to join the two he has appointed, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, and pledged to release a new list from which he would choose a nominee if another opening occurs on his watch. Both of his appointees dissented on Thursday, though Gorsuch wrote the LGBT rights ruling.

Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden pledged to send Congress proposed legislation on his first day in office to make DACA protections permanent.

Roberts, with whom Trump has sparred, wrote for the court that the administration did not pursue the end of the program properly.

“We do not decide whether DACA or its rescission are sound policies,“ Roberts wrote. “We address only whether the agency complied with the procedural requirement that it provide a reasoned explanation for its action. Here the agency failed to consider the conspicuous issues of whether to retain forbearance and what if anything to do about the hardship to DACA recipients.”

The Department of Homeland Security can try again, he wrote. But any new order to end the program, and the legal challenge it would provoke, would likely take months, if not longer.

“No way that’s going to happen before November,” said Stephen Yale-Loehr, a professor of immigration law practice at Cornell University Law School.

The court’s four conservative justices dissented. Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by Justices Gorsuch and Samuel Alito, wrote that DACA was illegal from the moment it was created under the Obama administration in 2012. Thomas called the ruling “an effort to avoid a politically controversial but legally correct decision.”

Alito wrote that federal judges had prevented DACA from being ended “during an entire Presidential term. Our constitutional system is not supposed to work that way.”

Justice Kavanaugh wrote in a separate dissent that he was satisfied that the administration acted appropriately.

<a href="https://apnews.com/165e99b98307c30a2cabd5953fa09b33">DACA recipients were elated by the ruling</a>.

“We’ll keep living our lives in the meantime,” said Cesar Espinosa, who leads the Houston immigration advocacy group FIEL. “We’re going to continue to work, continue to advocate.”

Espinosa said he got little sleep overnight in anticipation of a possible decision. In the minutes after the decision was posted, he said his group was “flooded with calls with Dreamers, happy, with that hope that they’re going to at least be in this country for a while longer.”

From the Senate floor, the Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said of the DACA decision, “I cried tears of joy.”

“Wow,” he went on, choking up. “These kids, these families, I feel for them, and I think all of America does.

Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas had a different take, labeling DACA illegal and focusing his wrath on Roberts.

“Yet John Roberts again postures as a Solomon who will save our institutions from political controversy and accountability. If the Chief Justice believes his political judgment is so exquisite, I invite him to resign, travel to Iowa, and get elected,” Cotton said in a statement.

The program grew out of an impasse over a comprehensive immigration bill between Congress and the Obama administration in 2012. President Barack Obama decided to formally protect people from deportation while also allowing them to work legally in the U.S.

But Trump made tough talk on immigration a central part of his campaign and less than eight months after taking office,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0e0cb85d8dea44909c2ead694a913ef0">he announced in September 2017 that he would end DACA</a>.

Immigrants, civil rights groups, universities and Democratic-led states quickly sued, and courts put the administration’s plan on hold.

The Department of Homeland Security has continued to process two-year DACA renewals so that hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients have protections stretching beyond the election and even into 2022. No new applications have been accepted since 2017, and it probably would take a court order to change that, Yale-Loehr said.

The Supreme Court fight over DACA played out in a kind of legal slow motion. The administration first wanted the justices to hear and decide the case by June 2018. The justices said no. The Justice Department returned to the court later in 2018, but the justices did nothing for more than seven months before agreeing a year ago to hear arguments. Those took place in November and more than seven months elapsed before the court’s decision.

Thursday’s ruling was the second time in two years that Roberts and the liberal justices faulted the administration for the way it went about a policy change. Last year, the court forced the administration to back off a citizenship question on the 2020 census.

In 2018, Roberts joined his conservative colleagues to preserve Trump’s travel ban affecting several countries with largely Muslim populations. In that instance, Roberts wrote the administration put the policy — or at least its third version — in place properly.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592492596183.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he will renew his administration’s effort to end legal protections for young immigrants after Supreme Court blocked the first try. The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday upheld legal protections for young immigrants, but its ruling doesn't provide a guarantee that they'll get to keep them long term. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program allows hundreds of thousands of immigrants to live and work legally in the United States and shields them from deportation.The Supreme Court didn't say Trump can't end the program, just that his administration went about it the wrong way.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The Supreme Court asked us to resubmit on DACA, nothing was lost or won. They “punted”, much like in a football game (where hopefully they would stand for our great American Flag). We will be submitting enhanced papers shortly in order to properly fulfil the Supreme Court’s.....&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1273967323901317120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A divided Congress is unlikely to pass legislation providing a path to citizenship anytime soon. But advocates vow to keep fighting for legislation for a long-term solution for 650,000 immigrants who were brought to the country as children.&nbsp;--------WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected President Donald Trump’s effort to end legal protections for 650,000 young immigrants, the second stunning election-season rebuke from the court in a week after its ruling that it’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/5a7b0e41a47a3c571dda69194758e7b1">illegal to fire people because they’re gay or transgender</a>.Immigrants who are part of the 8-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fc91e0e0453c4658888149c5c9590fc2">Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program</a>&nbsp;will retain their protection from deportation and their authorization to work in the United States — safe almost certainly at least through the November election, immigration experts said.The 5-4 outcome, in which Chief Justice John Roberts and the four liberal justices were in the majority, seems certain to elevate the issue in Trump’s campaign, given the anti-immigrant rhetoric of his first presidential run in 2016 and immigration restrictions his administration has imposed since then.Kansas Governor Laura Kelly praised the decision,&nbsp;“Today’s decision by the United States Supreme Court to uphold protections for Dreamers was the right one. Dreamers have contributed much to our communities and to our economy, and ending DACA would have cost our state more than $335.9 million every year, " she said in a media release."There are more than 6,000 DACA recipients in Kansas -- they serve in our military, work in our hospitals, teach our kids, and pay taxes. They were brought here as children, this is their home, they belong here.”The justices said the administration did not take the proper steps to end DACA, rejecting arguments that the program is illegal and that courts have no role to play in reviewing the decision to end it.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4d9ce48241c4a881adea4849b50b7f83">The program covers people who have been in the United States since they were children and are in the country illegally.</a>&nbsp;In some cases, they have no memory of any home other than the U.S.Trump didn’t hold back in his assessment of the court’s work, hitting hard at a political angle.“These horrible &amp; politically charged decisions coming out of the Supreme Court are shotgun blasts into the face of people that are proud to call themselves Republicans or Conservatives. We need more Justices or we will lose our 2nd Amendment &amp; everything else. Vote Trump 2020!” he wrote on Twitter, apparently including the LGBT ruling as well.In a second tweet, he wrote, “Do you get the impression that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/ab215fc5f71b8d24e0360f69f011cf67">the Supreme Court doesn’t like me</a>?”Later, he said the decision showed the need for additional conservative justices to join the two he has appointed, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, and pledged to release a new list from which he would choose a nominee if another opening occurs on his watch. Both of his appointees dissented on Thursday, though Gorsuch wrote the LGBT rights ruling.Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden pledged to send Congress proposed legislation on his first day in office to make DACA protections permanent.Roberts, with whom Trump has sparred, wrote for the court that the administration did not pursue the end of the program properly.“We do not decide whether DACA or its rescission are sound policies,“ Roberts wrote. “We address only whether the agency complied with the procedural requirement that it provide a reasoned explanation for its action. Here the agency failed to consider the conspicuous issues of whether to retain forbearance and what if anything to do about the hardship to DACA recipients.”The Department of Homeland Security can try again, he wrote. But any new order to end the program, and the legal challenge it would provoke, would likely take months, if not longer.“No way that’s going to happen before November,” said Stephen Yale-Loehr, a professor of immigration law practice at Cornell University Law School.The court’s four conservative justices dissented. Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by Justices Gorsuch and Samuel Alito, wrote that DACA was illegal from the moment it was created under the Obama administration in 2012. Thomas called the ruling “an effort to avoid a politically controversial but legally correct decision.”Alito wrote that federal judges had prevented DACA from being ended “during an entire Presidential term. Our constitutional system is not supposed to work that way.”Justice Kavanaugh wrote in a separate dissent that he was satisfied that the administration acted appropriately.<a href="https://apnews.com/165e99b98307c30a2cabd5953fa09b33">DACA recipients were elated by the ruling</a>.“We’ll keep living our lives in the meantime,” said Cesar Espinosa, who leads the Houston immigration advocacy group FIEL. “We’re going to continue to work, continue to advocate.”Espinosa said he got little sleep overnight in anticipation of a possible decision. In the minutes after the decision was posted, he said his group was “flooded with calls with Dreamers, happy, with that hope that they’re going to at least be in this country for a while longer.”From the Senate floor, the Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said of the DACA decision, “I cried tears of joy.”“Wow,” he went on, choking up. “These kids, these families, I feel for them, and I think all of America does.Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas had a different take, labeling DACA illegal and focusing his wrath on Roberts.“Yet John Roberts again postures as a Solomon who will save our institutions from political controversy and accountability. If the Chief Justice believes his political judgment is so exquisite, I invite him to resign, travel to Iowa, and get elected,” Cotton said in a statement.The program grew out of an impasse over a comprehensive immigration bill between Congress and the Obama administration in 2012. President Barack Obama decided to formally protect people from deportation while also allowing them to work legally in the U.S.But Trump made tough talk on immigration a central part of his campaign and less than eight months after taking office,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0e0cb85d8dea44909c2ead694a913ef0">he announced in September 2017 that he would end DACA</a>.Immigrants, civil rights groups, universities and Democratic-led states quickly sued, and courts put the administration’s plan on hold.The Department of Homeland Security has continued to process two-year DACA renewals so that hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients have protections stretching beyond the election and even into 2022. No new applications have been accepted since 2017, and it probably would take a court order to change that, Yale-Loehr said.The Supreme Court fight over DACA played out in a kind of legal slow motion. The administration first wanted the justices to hear and decide the case by June 2018. The justices said no. The Justice Department returned to the court later in 2018, but the justices did nothing for more than seven months before agreeing a year ago to hear arguments. Those took place in November and more than seven months elapsed before the court’s decision.Thursday’s ruling was the second time in two years that Roberts and the liberal justices faulted the administration for the way it went about a policy change. Last year, the court forced the administration to back off a citizenship question on the 2020 census.In 2018, Roberts joined his conservative colleagues to preserve Trump’s travel ban affecting several countries with largely Muslim populations. In that instance, Roberts wrote the administration put the policy — or at least its third version — in place properly.___

The Latest: Supreme Court ruling on young immigrants far from over

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A grand jury on Thursday indicted a Kansas City detective on involuntary manslaughter in the shooting of a black man who was killed last year in his own backyard while backing into his garage.

The Jackson County grand jury also charged Detective Eric DeValkenaere with armed criminal action in the Dec. 3 killing of Cameron Lamb outside his Kansas City home.

DeValkenaere, who had returned to duty after the shooting, is now suspended, the Kansas City Police Department said Thursday in a statement.

The indictment comes days after Lamb's death garnered renewed attention stemming from his family's meeting with President Donald Trump.

Lamb's relatives were among several families of black Americans killed in interactions with police to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b7cb4d191e8f8419be435c8a279e0eab">meet&nbsp;</a>privately this week with Trump before a Rose Garden signing ceremony for an executive order that the president said would encourage better police practices. The issue has received increased scrutiny since the May 25 death of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a55d2662f200ead0da4fed9e923b60a7">George Floyd</a>&nbsp;in Minneapolis.

In&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/758ed1eeea3d4d68abe9bfd467a1a108">December</a>, Lamb was seen chasing a car in his pickup truck. Officers in a police helicopter followed Lamb, a 26-year-old father of three, and alerted officers on the ground when he backed into a lot behind his home, police said in a statement at the time.

Two plain-clothes detectives, the statement said, went to the house and made contact with Lamb in the backyard while he was still in the truck. One officer said he fired at Lamb after he watched Lamb pull out a gun and point it at the other officer who had approached the truck. The statement said Lamb was found with his left hand hanging out of the truck’s window, a gun on the ground beneath.

An internal police inquiry is complete, and the case has been turned over to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker. Her spokeswoman, Michael Mansur, said Thursday that Lamb's death remains under investigation.

A warrant has been issued and bond is set at $30,000. No court date has been set.

DeValkenaere has been with KCPD since 1999, the department said.

Before the indictment was announced Thursday, an online change.org&nbsp;<a href="https://www.change.org/p/jean-peters-baker-5-months-is-too-long-for-no-charges-cameron-lamb-s-family-deserves-justice?source_location=topic_page">petition</a>&nbsp;demanding charges had collected more than 200,000 signatures.

Lee Merritt, a civil rights attorney who is representing Lamb’s family, said it was a brief dispute with a girlfriend that caused the pursuit. He told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article240522561.html">The Star&nbsp;</a>earlier this year that police were on Lamb’s property illegally and recklessly pursued a nonviolent traffic offender. Merritt also questioned whether officers violated Lamb’s Second Amendment right to bear arms.

“As a constitutional lawyer, I am particularly offended when people of color are killed in their own home," Merritt said. “It’s something about the sanctity of someone’s home that should be protected.”

No lawsuit has been filed yet. Merritt wasn’t immediately available for an interview Thursday with The Associated Press.

Merritt is also representing the family of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1cb403282aeddcbc6c85bc80644cbd18">Ahmaud Arbery</a>, who was fatally shot in February when a white father and son pursued the 25-year-old black man after spotting him running in their subdivision just outside of Brunswick, Georgia.

Lamb's family and that of 47-year old&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/252b29762228f5d10334041827698feb">Donnie Sanders</a>, who also was fatally shot by police, are calling for the names of the officers involved to be released. Sanders died in March after a confrontation during a traffic stop. Police said Sanders raised his arms “as though he had a weapon,” but investigators later determined that Sanders was unarmed.

The families have the support of the group One Struggle KC, which is pushing for the termination of the officers, WDAF-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://fox4kc.com/news/families-advocates-demanding-names-of-kansas-city-officers-involved-in-shootings-be-released/">reported</a>.

“Why not let us know who killed these people?” said One Struggle KC spokesperson Nikki Smith said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592565445204.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation in Dec. 2019 photo courtesy KMBC TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation in Dec. 2019 photo courtesy KMBC TV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A grand jury on Thursday indicted a Kansas City detective on involuntary manslaughter in the shooting of a black man who was killed last year in his own backyard while backing into his garage.The Jackson County grand jury also charged Detective Eric DeValkenaere with armed criminal action in the Dec. 3 killing of Cameron Lamb outside his Kansas City home.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592565520517.png" alt="Charging Document courtesy Jackson County prosecutor's office" />
 <figcaption>Charging Document courtesy Jackson County prosecutor's office</figcaption>
 </figure>DeValkenaere, who had returned to duty after the shooting, is now suspended, the Kansas City Police Department said Thursday in a statement.The indictment comes days after Lamb's death garnered renewed attention stemming from his family's meeting with President Donald Trump.Lamb's relatives were among several families of black Americans killed in interactions with police to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b7cb4d191e8f8419be435c8a279e0eab">meet&nbsp;</a>privately this week with Trump before a Rose Garden signing ceremony for an executive order that the president said would encourage better police practices. The issue has received increased scrutiny since the May 25 death of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/a55d2662f200ead0da4fed9e923b60a7">George Floyd</a>&nbsp;in Minneapolis.In&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/758ed1eeea3d4d68abe9bfd467a1a108">December</a>, Lamb was seen chasing a car in his pickup truck. Officers in a police helicopter followed Lamb, a 26-year-old father of three, and alerted officers on the ground when he backed into a lot behind his home, police said in a statement at the time.Two plain-clothes detectives, the statement said, went to the house and made contact with Lamb in the backyard while he was still in the truck. One officer said he fired at Lamb after he watched Lamb pull out a gun and point it at the other officer who had approached the truck. The statement said Lamb was found with his left hand hanging out of the truck’s window, a gun on the ground beneath.An internal police inquiry is complete, and the case has been turned over to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker. Her spokeswoman, Michael Mansur, said Thursday that Lamb's death remains under investigation.A warrant has been issued and bond is set at $30,000. No court date has been set.DeValkenaere has been with KCPD since 1999, the department said.Before the indictment was announced Thursday, an online change.org&nbsp;<a href="https://www.change.org/p/jean-peters-baker-5-months-is-too-long-for-no-charges-cameron-lamb-s-family-deserves-justice?source_location=topic_page">petition</a>&nbsp;demanding charges had collected more than 200,000 signatures.Lee Merritt, a civil rights attorney who is representing Lamb’s family, said it was a brief dispute with a girlfriend that caused the pursuit. He told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article240522561.html">The Star&nbsp;</a>earlier this year that police were on Lamb’s property illegally and recklessly pursued a nonviolent traffic offender. Merritt also questioned whether officers violated Lamb’s Second Amendment right to bear arms.“As a constitutional lawyer, I am particularly offended when people of color are killed in their own home," Merritt said. “It’s something about the sanctity of someone’s home that should be protected.”No lawsuit has been filed yet. Merritt wasn’t immediately available for an interview Thursday with The Associated Press.Merritt is also representing the family of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1cb403282aeddcbc6c85bc80644cbd18">Ahmaud Arbery</a>, who was fatally shot in February when a white father and son pursued the 25-year-old black man after spotting him running in their subdivision just outside of Brunswick, Georgia.Lamb's family and that of 47-year old&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/252b29762228f5d10334041827698feb">Donnie Sanders</a>, who also was fatally shot by police, are calling for the names of the officers involved to be released. Sanders died in March after a confrontation during a traffic stop. Police said Sanders raised his arms “as though he had a weapon,” but investigators later determined that Sanders was unarmed.The families have the support of the group One Struggle KC, which is pushing for the termination of the officers, WDAF-TV&nbsp;<a href="https://fox4kc.com/news/families-advocates-demanding-names-of-kansas-city-officers-involved-in-shootings-be-released/">reported</a>.“Why not let us know who killed these people?” said One Struggle KC spokesperson Nikki Smith said.

Kansas City officer charged in fatal shooting of black man

MONTGOMERY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend homicide and have both suspects in custody.

On Thursday afternoon, police reported the arrest of 22-year-old Jonathan Hall of Coffeyville, according to police.

Police then issued a warrant for the arrest of 21-year-old Ethan Bellamy of Coffeyville.&nbsp; A short time later, police reported they had him in custody.

Just after 1:30 a.m. Sunday, police responded to the 600 block of East Third Street for a shooting where they located a gunshot victim identified as Otis Horner, 38, of Coffeyville, according to a media release from police.

EMS transported Horner to Coffeyville Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

Anyone with information should call Coffeyville Police at 620-252-6160 or Detective Kastler at 620-252-6145. Those wishing to remain anonymous can provide information to the Crime Tip Hotline at 620-252-6133.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592511369240.png" alt="Hall photo Coffeyville Police" />
 <figcaption>Hall photo Coffeyville Police</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend homicide and have both suspects in custody.On Thursday afternoon, police reported the arrest of 22-year-old Jonathan Hall of Coffeyville, according to police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592511334014.png" alt="Bellamy photo Coffeyville Police" />
 <figcaption>Bellamy photo Coffeyville Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Police then issued a warrant for the arrest of 21-year-old Ethan Bellamy of Coffeyville.&nbsp; A short time later, police reported they had him in custody.Just after 1:30 a.m. Sunday, police responded to the 600 block of East Third Street for a shooting where they located a gunshot victim identified as Otis Horner, 38, of Coffeyville, according to a media release from police.EMS transported Horner to Coffeyville Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.Anyone with information should call Coffeyville Police at 620-252-6160 or Detective Kastler at 620-252-6145. Those wishing to remain anonymous can provide information to the Crime Tip Hotline at 620-252-6133.

Police: Suspects in fatal Kansas shooting in custody

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Several civil rights organizations said Thursday that they want to see significant changes at Kansas City Veterans Affairs Medical Center after allegations resurfaced of racial discrimination and demeaning treatment of black employees.

Black employees at the hospital have complained for years of a hostile work environment and the allegations drew new attention in March, when several employees met with the NAACP to discuss their concerns and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas demanded answers from Robert Wilkie, secretary of Veterans Affairs.

On Thursday, attorney Rebecca Randles said two lawsuits have been filed against the hospital, and up to 75 lawsuits are possible, although she is seeking class action status. She said she and the civil rights organizations want an independent organization to conduct a thorough investigation of the hospital's operations.

Despite months of complaints, Randles said she heard this week from another employee who had been called a racial epithet.

In the lawsuits and multiple internal hospital complaints, black employees said they heard frequent racial epithets, were denied promotions for lesser-qualified white employees, faced expectations that were not required of white employees and received no support when they complained to supervisors or hospital administrators.

Charmayne “Charlie” Brown, a registered nurse for 35 years — 17 at the medical center — retired last year after she was not allowed to return to her previous job after undergoing shoulder surgery. She said her supervisor would not talk to her, even about patient care, except by writing on paper and slipping comments under her door.

“I want the same respect you have for the other nurses, that you have for the secretaries,” she said. “The name calling, the making racial jokes, and I am being the subject of the jokes that was just the foundation, and then when you go to the place where I am being isolated in my job that was just the straw that broke the camel's back.”

In response to Moran’s demands for information, Wilkie in May sent a letter reiterating the hospital’s commitment to diversity and its employees, and detailing several avenues employees have to bring their concerns to administrators.

Wilkie said as of May, the hospital had 39 active complaints in the Equal Employment Opportunity process.

Theresa DiMaggio, a spokeswoman for the Kansas City hospital, on Thursday reiterated those comments, saying in a statement the hospital is proud of its inclusive and diverse culture and encourages employees to report any problems they encounter.

Brown said she and other employees filed numerous EEO complaints and met with hospital administrators over the years but the complaints usually resulted in retaliation, not progress.

Representatives from the ACLU, the NAACP, Concerned Clergy Coalition and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference were among those who on Thursday called for changes at the hospital.

Justice Gatson, a Kansas City-based organizer for the ACLU of Missouri, said the atmosphere at the hospital was "absolutely a disgrace” for employees, and likely hurt the care provided for thousands of veterans from Missouri and Kansas who use the hospital.

“We're standing with them,” Gatson said. “We are calling for accountability, transparency and an answer to the demands that they have set forth in order to right these tremendous wrongs.”

Protests are planned every Monday at the hospital and the representatives said further actions were planned if changes aren't made but they declined to discuss those.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592561447596.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Several civil rights organizations said Thursday that they want to see significant changes at Kansas City Veterans Affairs Medical Center after allegations resurfaced of racial discrimination and demeaning treatment of black employees.Black employees at the hospital have complained for years of a hostile work environment and the allegations drew new attention in March, when several employees met with the NAACP to discuss their concerns and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas demanded answers from Robert Wilkie, secretary of Veterans Affairs.On Thursday, attorney Rebecca Randles said two lawsuits have been filed against the hospital, and up to 75 lawsuits are possible, although she is seeking class action status. She said she and the civil rights organizations want an independent organization to conduct a thorough investigation of the hospital's operations.Despite months of complaints, Randles said she heard this week from another employee who had been called a racial epithet.In the lawsuits and multiple internal hospital complaints, black employees said they heard frequent racial epithets, were denied promotions for lesser-qualified white employees, faced expectations that were not required of white employees and received no support when they complained to supervisors or hospital administrators.Charmayne “Charlie” Brown, a registered nurse for 35 years — 17 at the medical center — retired last year after she was not allowed to return to her previous job after undergoing shoulder surgery. She said her supervisor would not talk to her, even about patient care, except by writing on paper and slipping comments under her door.“I want the same respect you have for the other nurses, that you have for the secretaries,” she said. “The name calling, the making racial jokes, and I am being the subject of the jokes that was just the foundation, and then when you go to the place where I am being isolated in my job that was just the straw that broke the camel's back.”In response to Moran’s demands for information, Wilkie in May sent a letter reiterating the hospital’s commitment to diversity and its employees, and detailing several avenues employees have to bring their concerns to administrators.Wilkie said as of May, the hospital had 39 active complaints in the Equal Employment Opportunity process.Theresa DiMaggio, a spokeswoman for the Kansas City hospital, on Thursday reiterated those comments, saying in a statement the hospital is proud of its inclusive and diverse culture and encourages employees to report any problems they encounter.Brown said she and other employees filed numerous EEO complaints and met with hospital administrators over the years but the complaints usually resulted in retaliation, not progress.Representatives from the ACLU, the NAACP, Concerned Clergy Coalition and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference were among those who on Thursday called for changes at the hospital.Justice Gatson, a Kansas City-based organizer for the ACLU of Missouri, said the atmosphere at the hospital was "absolutely a disgrace” for employees, and likely hurt the care provided for thousands of veterans from Missouri and Kansas who use the hospital.“We're standing with them,” Gatson said. “We are calling for accountability, transparency and an answer to the demands that they have set forth in order to right these tremendous wrongs.”Protests are planned every Monday at the hospital and the representatives said further actions were planned if changes aren't made but they declined to discuss those.

Racial bias complaints continue at Kansas City VA hospital

HUTCHINSON — A Kansas man who has served time for attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison following his sentencing in two felony cases Thursday in Reno County District Court.

Thirty-eight-year-old Armando Fierro of Hutchinson was sentence to&nbsp; 83-months.

 Fierro pleaded guilty to lesser charges of aggravated domestic battery, aggravated arson and aggravated child endangerment on March 6th. He was facing a charge of kidnapping in the case. He was also sentenced for possession of meth and DUI in a separate case.

Fierro was arrested on June 6th, 2019 during a domestic disturbance. Police were called on the report of an aggravated battery. The victim was able to escape and call the police.

When officers entered the home, they could see pillows in the living room had been set on fire near where a propane tank was sitting.

Fierro’s prior convictions include attempted murder in the shotgun shooting of Lloyd Eddens, back in 2000. He served 14 years in that case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592563311179.png" alt="Fierro-photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Fierro-photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON — A Kansas man who has served time for attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison following his sentencing in two felony cases Thursday in Reno County District Court.Thirty-eight-year-old Armando Fierro of Hutchinson was sentence to&nbsp; 83-months. Fierro pleaded guilty to lesser charges of aggravated domestic battery, aggravated arson and aggravated child endangerment on March 6th. He was facing a charge of kidnapping in the case. He was also sentenced for possession of meth and DUI in a separate case.Fierro was arrested on June 6th, 2019 during a domestic disturbance. Police were called on the report of an aggravated battery. The victim was able to escape and call the police.When officers entered the home, they could see pillows in the living room had been set on fire near where a propane tank was sitting.Fierro’s prior convictions include attempted murder in the shotgun shooting of Lloyd Eddens, back in 2000. He served 14 years in that case.

Kansas man sentenced for setting fire in house with children inside

COWLEY COUNTY—Thanks to response on social media and great police work, the sand shovel taken from the playground was recovered, according to the City of Burden. The city also said they would report additional information in the case.

COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are searching for information on individuals captured on a security camera who took a sand digger from the Burden Park on June 6, around 9:00pm, according to a social media report from the Cowley County Sheriff's Department.

If you can identify the man or woman in the video please leave a message at the Burden P.D. (620) 438-2320. The children would enjoy having the toy back to play on again.

COWLEY COUNTY—Thanks to response on social media and great police work, the sand shovel taken from the playground was recovered, according to the City of Burden. The city also said they would report additional information in the case.---------COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are searching for information on individuals captured on a security camera who took a sand digger from the Burden Park on June 6, around 9:00pm, according to a social media report from the Cowley County Sheriff's Department.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fron.cannon.397%2Fvideos%2F2744508772322555%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>If you can identify the man or woman in the video please leave a message at the Burden P.D. (620) 438-2320. The children would enjoy having the toy back to play on again.

🎥  Update: Police recover sand digger stolen from Kan. playground

NORTH PLATTE— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman after a fatal shooting while on a drive with her husband and the couple's two children.

Just after 3p.m. Wednesday, State Troopers responded to a 911 call regarding a shooting that had occurred inside a vehicle on eastbound I-80 near Cozad, Nebraska.

 When troopers arrived, they found a man dead in the driver’s seat of a pickup truck that was pulling a trailer. The victim is identified as Joshua Jourdan, 35, of Omaha.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that Jourdan and his wife, Kathleen Jourdan, 31, of Omaha, were involved in an argument while traveling on I-80. Jourdan had been driving the vehicle and pulled over during the argument, at which time Kathleen Jourdan produced a handgun and shot Joshua Jourdan twice.

Kathleen Jourdan called 911 to report the shooting and remained at the scene. The couple’s two children were in the backseat of the vehicle. The children were not injured.

Kathleen Jourdan is being held on a requested charge of second degree murder in the Dawson County Jail. The children are in protective custody.&nbsp;

Cozad Police Officers, Dawson County Sheriff’s Deputies, and Cozad Volunteer Fire and Rescue also assisted at the scene.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592501727583.png" alt="Jourdan photo&nbsp; Dawson Co." />
 <figcaption>Jourdan photo&nbsp; Dawson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>NORTH PLATTE— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman after a fatal shooting while on a drive with her husband and the couple's two children.Just after 3p.m. Wednesday, State Troopers responded to a 911 call regarding a shooting that had occurred inside a vehicle on eastbound I-80 near Cozad, Nebraska. When troopers arrived, they found a man dead in the driver’s seat of a pickup truck that was pulling a trailer. The victim is identified as Joshua Jourdan, 35, of Omaha.Preliminary investigation has revealed that Jourdan and his wife, Kathleen Jourdan, 31, of Omaha, were involved in an argument while traveling on I-80. Jourdan had been driving the vehicle and pulled over during the argument, at which time Kathleen Jourdan produced a handgun and shot Joshua Jourdan twice.Kathleen Jourdan called 911 to report the shooting and remained at the scene. The couple’s two children were in the backseat of the vehicle. The children were not injured.Kathleen Jourdan is being held on a requested charge of second degree murder in the Dawson County Jail. The children are in protective custody.&nbsp;Cozad Police Officers, Dawson County Sheriff’s Deputies, and Cozad Volunteer Fire and Rescue also assisted at the scene.&nbsp;

Woman accused of shooting, killing husband during drive with kids

JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen.

Just before 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, a Sheriff’s deputy observed a red 2012 Honda Civic traveling southbound on W. Road from 174th Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

The deputy attempted to stop the vehicle and a pursuit ensued and the vehicle struck a stop sign. 

The deputy observed the bumper from the car lying in the roadway. The vehicle stopped near 158th and T. Road where the rear seat passenger allegedly fled on foot. 

Deputies arrested the driver identified as Skylar Joe Robert Mechtley, 18, of Mayetta.

He was booked into jail on requested charges of fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, according to Morse.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592391850785.png" alt="Mechtley-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Mechtley-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen.Just before 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, a Sheriff’s deputy observed a red 2012 Honda Civic traveling southbound on W. Road from 174th Road, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.The deputy attempted to stop the vehicle and a pursuit ensued and the vehicle struck a stop sign. The deputy observed the bumper from the car lying in the roadway. The vehicle stopped near 158th and T. Road where the rear seat passenger allegedly fled on foot. Deputies arrested the driver identified as Skylar Joe Robert Mechtley, 18, of Mayetta.He was booked into jail on requested charges of fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, according to Morse.