WASHINGTON (AP) — As Americans confront a crisis unlike any in modern times, the world’s greatest deliberative body is doing almost anything but deliberate the coronavirus.

It's as though the challenge has split the U.S. Senate into two.

On one side is a Senate clamoring for a quick response to the virus outbreak at its door. On the other is the wait-and-see Senate hitting pause on swift action and carrying on with non-pandemic business.

“Every aspect of American society has been changed by this crisis — except, perhaps, the Republican Senate,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer in the chamber Wednesday.

The split screen at the Capitol provides a study in contrasts and priorities, one that reflects the partisan differences between Republicans and Democrats, and is defining both ahead of the 2020 election.

As the House works remotely, the lights-on Senate has the legislative stage to itself. But despite a virus death toll nearing 100,000 and more than 30 million unemployed, the slow-moving Senate is proving even a pandemic won't quicken its pace. Senators are prepared to leave town for a weeklong Memorial Day break without having acted on any new relief.

At least one Republican, Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado, vowed to try to prevent the Senate from recessing Thursday unless it votes on more aid to states and cities facing layoffs.

"Now is not the time for the Senate to go home,” tweeted Gardner, who is among the most politically endangered GOP senators running for reelection in the fall. He told reporters at the Capitol that he had called President Donald Trump at the White House with his concerns.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell defends the output, arguing that his side of the Capitol led passage of an earlier major aid package that cost $2 trillion. Better to assess how that money is being spent, he said, before approving more. He rejects the new $3 trillion package approved by the Democratic-led House last week as a “liberal wish list.”

McConnell portrayed the Capitol, where senators in masks are showing up most days while the House works from home, as its own “tale of two chambers."

"Over here in the United States Senate, the lights are on, the doors are open, and we are working for the American people,” said McConnell, R-Ky. "And across the rotunda, in the House? Crickets.”

Yet it's the split on display throughout the Senate's side of the Capitol complex — in the Senate chamber, its committee rooms, even its private caucus meetings.

President Donald Trump and McConnell huddled Thursday at the White House to consider next steps in coronavirus aid.

The floor action this week revolved around votes on Trump's nominees for judicial and executive branch positions. Senators confirmed a new Federal Election Commission member and is on track to confirm four federal judges. Trump's nominee for director of national intelligence, John Ratcliffe, could be confirmed as soon as Thursday.

Across the street in the committee rooms, the split screen was coming into even sharper focus.

Two marquee hearings focused on investigations of the Obama administration stemming from the probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election.

The Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday voted to issue a subpoena for its investigation into presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's son Hunter, though there's no evidence of wrongdoing by either of the Bidens. On Thursday, the Judiciary Committee is set to consider issuing a subpoena in the investigation into Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

“This pandemic is the biggest crisis our country has faced since this committee was created," said Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., a former presidential hopeful, addressing the panel's chairman, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis. “You made the decision to force a vote on a purely political matter that will do absolutely nothing for those at risk of contracting COVID-19.”

Ahead of the meeting, Johnson released a long list of coronavirus-related actions his committee had taken since the start of the year.

Even behind closed doors, the differences can be seen and heard.

Trump arrived on Capitol Hill for an impromptu visit to the Senate Republican lunch Tuesday that quickly turned to politics. The president touted his own poll numbers and implored his allies to “be tough” as they fight for their jobs this fall. Democrats are seeking to gain the majority and flip control.

In contrast, Democratic senators, who no longer meet for lunch but convene by conference call, heard Wednesday from economist Mark Zandi, who warned them of the risks of inaction.

Zandi said “Job No. 1” for Congress was sending money “quickly” to state and local governments, according to a Democrat who wasn't authorized to publicly discuss the private call and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The economist told them state and local governments are “really teetering on financial edge,” the Democrat said. Without aid, hundreds of thousands of more jobs could be lost, he said.

Republicans are hopeful that as states reopen, the economy will improve, lessening the need for more federal funds.

But polling shows Americans are concerned about a second wave of the virus as shops and workplaces reopen. An AP-NORC poll found 83% of Americans are at least somewhat concerned that lifting restrictions in their area will lead to additional infections, with 54% saying they are very or extremely concerned.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590064008556.png" alt="A quiet U.S. Senate chamber&nbsp; -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>A quiet U.S. Senate chamber&nbsp; -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — As Americans confront a crisis unlike any in modern times, the world’s greatest deliberative body is doing almost anything but deliberate the coronavirus.It's as though the challenge has split the U.S. Senate into two.On one side is a Senate clamoring for a quick response to the virus outbreak at its door. On the other is the wait-and-see Senate hitting pause on swift action and carrying on with non-pandemic business.“Every aspect of American society has been changed by this crisis — except, perhaps, the Republican Senate,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer in the chamber Wednesday.The split screen at the Capitol provides a study in contrasts and priorities, one that reflects the partisan differences between Republicans and Democrats, and is defining both ahead of the 2020 election.As the House works remotely, the lights-on Senate has the legislative stage to itself. But despite a virus death toll nearing 100,000 and more than 30 million unemployed, the slow-moving Senate is proving even a pandemic won't quicken its pace. Senators are prepared to leave town for a weeklong Memorial Day break without having acted on any new relief.At least one Republican, Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado, vowed to try to prevent the Senate from recessing Thursday unless it votes on more aid to states and cities facing layoffs."Now is not the time for the Senate to go home,” tweeted Gardner, who is among the most politically endangered GOP senators running for reelection in the fall. He told reporters at the Capitol that he had called President Donald Trump at the White House with his concerns.Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell defends the output, arguing that his side of the Capitol led passage of an earlier major aid package that cost $2 trillion. Better to assess how that money is being spent, he said, before approving more. He rejects the new $3 trillion package approved by the Democratic-led House last week as a “liberal wish list.”McConnell portrayed the Capitol, where senators in masks are showing up most days while the House works from home, as its own “tale of two chambers.""Over here in the United States Senate, the lights are on, the doors are open, and we are working for the American people,” said McConnell, R-Ky. "And across the rotunda, in the House? Crickets.”Yet it's the split on display throughout the Senate's side of the Capitol complex — in the Senate chamber, its committee rooms, even its private caucus meetings.President Donald Trump and McConnell huddled Thursday at the White House to consider next steps in coronavirus aid.The floor action this week revolved around votes on Trump's nominees for judicial and executive branch positions. Senators confirmed a new Federal Election Commission member and is on track to confirm four federal judges. Trump's nominee for director of national intelligence, John Ratcliffe, could be confirmed as soon as Thursday.Across the street in the committee rooms, the split screen was coming into even sharper focus.Two marquee hearings focused on investigations of the Obama administration stemming from the probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election.The Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday voted to issue a subpoena for its investigation into presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's son Hunter, though there's no evidence of wrongdoing by either of the Bidens. On Thursday, the Judiciary Committee is set to consider issuing a subpoena in the investigation into Trump’s former national security adviser Michael Flynn.“This pandemic is the biggest crisis our country has faced since this committee was created," said Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., a former presidential hopeful, addressing the panel's chairman, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis. “You made the decision to force a vote on a purely political matter that will do absolutely nothing for those at risk of contracting COVID-19.”Ahead of the meeting, Johnson released a long list of coronavirus-related actions his committee had taken since the start of the year.Even behind closed doors, the differences can be seen and heard.Trump arrived on Capitol Hill for an impromptu visit to the Senate Republican lunch Tuesday that quickly turned to politics. The president touted his own poll numbers and implored his allies to “be tough” as they fight for their jobs this fall. Democrats are seeking to gain the majority and flip control.In contrast, Democratic senators, who no longer meet for lunch but convene by conference call, heard Wednesday from economist Mark Zandi, who warned them of the risks of inaction.Zandi said “Job No. 1” for Congress was sending money “quickly” to state and local governments, according to a Democrat who wasn't authorized to publicly discuss the private call and spoke on condition of anonymity.The economist told them state and local governments are “really teetering on financial edge,” the Democrat said. Without aid, hundreds of thousands of more jobs could be lost, he said.Republicans are hopeful that as states reopen, the economy will improve, lessening the need for more federal funds.But polling shows Americans are concerned about a second wave of the virus as shops and workplaces reopen. An AP-NORC poll found 83% of Americans are at least somewhat concerned that lifting restrictions in their area will lead to additional infections, with 54% saying they are very or extremely concerned.___

U.S. Senators going home, decline to debate more virus aid

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police say a shooting at a home in eastern Kansas City that injured a young boy involved another child pulling the trigger.

The shooting happened just before 6 p.m. Wednesday inside the home, injuring a 3-year-old, police said in a news release. The boy was taken to an area hospital and was later listed in stable condition.

A police spokeswoman, Officer Doaa El-Ashkar, said detectives investigating what led to the shooting have determined that another child under the age of 10 in the home accidentally shot the boy. No charges in the case have been announced. Police had earlier said that one or two adults were inside the home. at the time of the shooting.

No charges in the case had been announced by mid-afternoon Thursday.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Police say a shooting at a home in eastern Kansas City that injured a young boy involved another child pulling the trigger.The shooting happened just before 6 p.m. Wednesday inside the home, injuring a 3-year-old, police said in a news release. The boy was taken to an area hospital and was later listed in stable condition.A police spokeswoman, Officer Doaa El-Ashkar, said detectives investigating what led to the shooting have determined that another child under the age of 10 in the home accidentally shot the boy. No charges in the case have been announced. Police had earlier said that one or two adults were inside the home. at the time of the shooting.No charges in the case had been announced by mid-afternoon Thursday.

Police: 3-year-old shot in Kansas City home by another child

YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Pandemic politics shadowed President Donald Trump’s trip to Michigan on Thursday as he highlighted lifesaving medical devices, with the president and officials from the electoral battleground state clashing over federal aid, mail-in ballots and face masks.

Trump visited Ypsilanti, outside Detroit, to tour a Ford Motor Co. factory that had been repurposed to manufacture ventilators, the medical breathing machines governors begged for during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But his visit came amid a long-running feud with the state’s Democratic governor and a day after the president threatened to withhold federal funds over the state’s expanded vote-by-mail effort. And, again, the president did not publicly wear a face covering despite a warning from the state’s top law enforcement officer that a refusal to do so might lead to a ban on his return.

All of the Ford executives giving Trump the tour were wearings masks, the president standing alone without one. At one point, he did take a White House-branded mask from his pocket and tell reporters he had worn it elsewhere on the tour, out of public view.

“I did not want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it,” Trump said.

For a moment, he also teasingly held up a clear shield in front of his face. A statement from Ford said that Bill Ford, the company’s executive chairman, “encouraged President Trump to wear a mask when he arrived” and said the president wore it during “a private viewing of three Ford GTs from over the years” before removing it.

The United Auto Workers union noted in a statement that “some in his entourage’” declined face masks and said “it is vitally important that our members continue to follow the protocols that have been put in place to safeguard them, their families and their communities.”

The UAW also noted Trump’s statement that he had just been tested for the virus and said it wanted to make sure he understood the wider “need for an economical instant test that can be administered daily to further protect our members -- and all Americans.”

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Trump’s decision “wasn’t surprising but it was disappointing.” Speaking to MSNBC, she added that anyone with a public platform “has a responsiblity to make sure that they model precisely what we’re asking everyone else to do.”

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said mask wearing isn’t just Ford’s policy — it’s also the law in a state that’s among those hardest hit by the virus. Nessel said that if Trump refused to wear a mask Thursday “he’s going to be asked not to return to any enclosed facilities inside our state” and “we’re going to have to take action” against any company that allows it in the future.

Trump has refused to wear a face mask in public, telling aides he believes it makes him look weak, though it is a practice that federal health authorities say all Americans should adopt to help slow the spread of the virus.

<a href="https://apnews.com/9ca93f81c2aa227184247b4e19c46e86">Ford said everyone in its factories must wear personal protective equipment</a>, including masks, and that its policy had been communicated to the White House. At least two people who work in the White House and had been physically close to Trump recently tested positive for the virus.

The Republican president and Whitmer have clashed during the coronavirus outbreak over her criticism of the federal response to the state’s needs for medical equipment, like ventilators, and personal protective gear, such as gloves, masks and gowns. Trump on Thursday criticized Democratic governors, suggesting they were proceeding too slowly in reopening their states’ economies.

“You have a lot of, unfortunately, in this case Democrat governors (who) think it’s good politics to keep it closed,” Trump said. “I think they’re being forced to open, frankly, the people want to get out. You’ll break the country if you don’t.”

The day before, Trump threatened to withhold federal funds from Michigan after its secretary of state mailed absentee ballot applications to millions of voters. Trump first tweeted — falsely — that the Democratic state official had mailed absentee ballots to Michigan voters. He later sent a corrected tweet specifying that applications to request absentee ballots had been mailed and seemed to back off his funding threat.

Trump narrowly won Michigan in 2016. He insists mail-in voting is ripe for fraud, although there is scant evidence of wrongdoing.

“We don’t want them to do mail in ballots because it’s going to lead to total election fraud,” Trump said Thursday. But then he allowed for some exceptions, including for himself.

“Now, if somebody has to mail it in because they’re sick, or by the way because they live in the White House and they have to vote in Florida and they won’t be in Florida. But there’s a reason for it, that’s OK.”

Trying to signal to the nation that life is returning to normal, the president has begun traveling again, with all of his initial trips to states that will be hotly contested in this November’s election. Campaign advisers have grown increasingly worried about Michigan, believing that the president’s attacks on Whitmer have not worked and that the toll the virus has taken in the Detroit area, particularly among African Americans, will prove costly politically.

Trump, at a roundtable with African American supporters in front of a sign with his slogan for reopening the economy, “Transition to Greatness,” noted low minority unemployment numbers before the pandemic and also pointed to his administration’s work on criminal justice reform.

The president’s advisers have become convinced that of the three Rust Belt states that Trump took from Democrats in 2016, Michigan would be much more difficult to win again than Pennsylvania and, especially, Wisconsin.

In the early days of the crisis, Whitmer and other governors and medical workers clamored for ventilators, fearing a shortage of the machines would prove deadly as the virus made breathing difficult for the scores of afflicted patients who were being brought to hospitals.

But the U.S. now has a surplus of the breathing machines, leading Trump to begin describing the nation as the “king of ventilators.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590095219713.png" alt="President Trump listened to a factory employee speak during his tour of the Ford plant-White House image" />
 <figcaption>President Trump listened to a factory employee speak during his tour of the Ford plant-White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Pandemic politics shadowed President Donald Trump’s trip to Michigan on Thursday as he highlighted lifesaving medical devices, with the president and officials from the electoral battleground state clashing over federal aid, mail-in ballots and face masks.Trump visited Ypsilanti, outside Detroit, to tour a Ford Motor Co. factory that had been repurposed to manufacture ventilators, the medical breathing machines governors begged for during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.But his visit came amid a long-running feud with the state’s Democratic governor and a day after the president threatened to withhold federal funds over the state’s expanded vote-by-mail effort. And, again, the president did not publicly wear a face covering despite a warning from the state’s top law enforcement officer that a refusal to do so might lead to a ban on his return.All of the Ford executives giving Trump the tour were wearings masks, the president standing alone without one. At one point, he did take a White House-branded mask from his pocket and tell reporters he had worn it elsewhere on the tour, out of public view.“I did not want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it,” Trump said.For a moment, he also teasingly held up a clear shield in front of his face. A statement from Ford said that Bill Ford, the company’s executive chairman, “encouraged President Trump to wear a mask when he arrived” and said the president wore it during “a private viewing of three Ford GTs from over the years” before removing it.The United Auto Workers union noted in a statement that “some in his entourage’” declined face masks and said “it is vitally important that our members continue to follow the protocols that have been put in place to safeguard them, their families and their communities.”The UAW also noted Trump’s statement that he had just been tested for the virus and said it wanted to make sure he understood the wider “need for an economical instant test that can be administered daily to further protect our members -- and all Americans.”Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Trump’s decision “wasn’t surprising but it was disappointing.” Speaking to MSNBC, she added that anyone with a public platform “has a responsiblity to make sure that they model precisely what we’re asking everyone else to do.”Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said mask wearing isn’t just Ford’s policy — it’s also the law in a state that’s among those hardest hit by the virus. Nessel said that if Trump refused to wear a mask Thursday “he’s going to be asked not to return to any enclosed facilities inside our state” and “we’re going to have to take action” against any company that allows it in the future.Trump has refused to wear a face mask in public, telling aides he believes it makes him look weak, though it is a practice that federal health authorities say all Americans should adopt to help slow the spread of the virus.<a href="https://apnews.com/9ca93f81c2aa227184247b4e19c46e86">Ford said everyone in its factories must wear personal protective equipment</a>, including masks, and that its policy had been communicated to the White House. At least two people who work in the White House and had been physically close to Trump recently tested positive for the virus.The Republican president and Whitmer have clashed during the coronavirus outbreak over her criticism of the federal response to the state’s needs for medical equipment, like ventilators, and personal protective gear, such as gloves, masks and gowns. Trump on Thursday criticized Democratic governors, suggesting they were proceeding too slowly in reopening their states’ economies.“You have a lot of, unfortunately, in this case Democrat governors (who) think it’s good politics to keep it closed,” Trump said. “I think they’re being forced to open, frankly, the people want to get out. You’ll break the country if you don’t.”The day before, Trump threatened to withhold federal funds from Michigan after its secretary of state mailed absentee ballot applications to millions of voters. Trump first tweeted — falsely — that the Democratic state official had mailed absentee ballots to Michigan voters. He later sent a corrected tweet specifying that applications to request absentee ballots had been mailed and seemed to back off his funding threat.Trump narrowly won Michigan in 2016. He insists mail-in voting is ripe for fraud, although there is scant evidence of wrongdoing.“We don’t want them to do mail in ballots because it’s going to lead to total election fraud,” Trump said Thursday. But then he allowed for some exceptions, including for himself.“Now, if somebody has to mail it in because they’re sick, or by the way because they live in the White House and they have to vote in Florida and they won’t be in Florida. But there’s a reason for it, that’s OK.”Trying to signal to the nation that life is returning to normal, the president has begun traveling again, with all of his initial trips to states that will be hotly contested in this November’s election. Campaign advisers have grown increasingly worried about Michigan, believing that the president’s attacks on Whitmer have not worked and that the toll the virus has taken in the Detroit area, particularly among African Americans, will prove costly politically.Trump, at a roundtable with African American supporters in front of a sign with his slogan for reopening the economy, “Transition to Greatness,” noted low minority unemployment numbers before the pandemic and also pointed to his administration’s work on criminal justice reform.The president’s advisers have become convinced that of the three Rust Belt states that Trump took from Democrats in 2016, Michigan would be much more difficult to win again than Pennsylvania and, especially, Wisconsin.In the early days of the crisis, Whitmer and other governors and medical workers clamored for ventilators, fearing a shortage of the machines would prove deadly as the virus made breathing difficult for the scores of afflicted patients who were being brought to hospitals.But the U.S. now has a surplus of the breathing machines, leading Trump to begin describing the nation as the “king of ventilators.”___

Pandemic politics: Maskless Trump tours Ford plant

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that sent a man to the hospital.

Just after noon on Wednesday, police responded to a disturbance with shots fired and a dog being shot at a home in the 2800 block of E. Mossman in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Upon arrival, officers heard shots being fired and observed a man running and getting into a silver Jeep and leaving.&nbsp; Officers stopped the vehicle in the area of 800 N. Green and located a 31-year-old man who had a gunshot wound to his rear end.&nbsp; He was taken to the hospital for treatment of a non-life threatening injury.

The investigation revealed, a 59-year-old man lives with the 31-year-old man at a home in the 800 block of North Green, according to Davidson.

The 59-year-old saw the 31-year-old’s pit-bull escape out of the yard.&nbsp; He followed the dog to a home in the 2800 block of East Mossman, where the dog attacked a Rottweiler puppy.&nbsp;

At the home on Mossman, a 42-year-old woman resident fired a handgun at the pit-bull attacking her dog and struck it, causing minor injuries to the dog.&nbsp;

 The 59-year-old returned to the home on North Green with the dog and relayed what occurred to the 31-year-old.&nbsp;

The 31-year-old drove to the Mossman home in a tan Ford Escape.&nbsp; After he arrived, a disturbance ensued, his Ford Escape was rammed, and shots were fired by the 42–year-old female that struck the man.&nbsp; 

The male who was shot then left with his friends and roommates in the silver Jeep, who had followed him to the home.

Investigators are working to determine all the circumstances of what occurred.&nbsp; Davidson did not report the name of the victim or any possible arrests.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590091714826.png" alt="Police on the scene of Wednesdays disturbance photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of Wednesdays disturbance photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that sent a man to the hospital.Just after noon on Wednesday, police responded to a disturbance with shots fired and a dog being shot at a home in the 2800 block of E. Mossman in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.Upon arrival, officers heard shots being fired and observed a man running and getting into a silver Jeep and leaving.&nbsp; Officers stopped the vehicle in the area of 800 N. Green and located a 31-year-old man who had a gunshot wound to his rear end.&nbsp; He was taken to the hospital for treatment of a non-life threatening injury.The investigation revealed, a 59-year-old man lives with the 31-year-old man at a home in the 800 block of North Green, according to Davidson.The 59-year-old saw the 31-year-old’s pit-bull escape out of the yard.&nbsp; He followed the dog to a home in the 2800 block of East Mossman, where the dog attacked a Rottweiler puppy.&nbsp;At the home on Mossman, a 42-year-old woman resident fired a handgun at the pit-bull attacking her dog and struck it, causing minor injuries to the dog.&nbsp; The 59-year-old returned to the home on North Green with the dog and relayed what occurred to the 31-year-old.&nbsp;The 31-year-old drove to the Mossman home in a tan Ford Escape.&nbsp; After he arrived, a disturbance ensued, his Ford Escape was rammed, and shots were fired by the 42–year-old female that struck the man.&nbsp; The male who was shot then left with his friends and roommates in the silver Jeep, who had followed him to the home.Investigators are working to determine all the circumstances of what occurred.&nbsp; Davidson did not report the name of the victim or any possible arrests.

Police: Kansas man, dog shot during disturbance 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — Reno County District Attorney Keith Schroeder said Thursday he will not file criminal charges against people who violate executive orders issued by the governor related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Schroeder attributed his decision to guidance from Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, The Wichita Eagle&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article242903531.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.

A legal opinion issued Wednesday by the state attorney general calls the legality of the disaster declaration granting her broad emergency powers “doubtful,” suggesting the governor cannot issue “rolling proclamations” of emergency for the same event.

Schroeder, who was among several officials who had asked the attorney general for his opinion on the matter, said in a news release that he will not prosecute any cases based on executive orders issued after May 1.

Gov. Laura Kelly has apparently failed to comply with a legal requirement for distributing proclamations, meaning all of her executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic “cannot be legally enforced in a criminal courtroom,” Schroeder said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576177238643.jpeg" alt="Reno Co. D.A. Keith Schroeder" />
 <figcaption>Reno Co. D.A. Keith Schroeder</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — Reno County District Attorney Keith Schroeder said Thursday he will not file criminal charges against people who violate executive orders issued by the governor related to the coronavirus pandemic.Schroeder attributed his decision to guidance from Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, The Wichita Eagle&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article242903531.html" target="_blank">reported</a>.A legal opinion issued Wednesday by the state attorney general calls the legality of the disaster declaration granting her broad emergency powers “doubtful,” suggesting the governor cannot issue “rolling proclamations” of emergency for the same event.Schroeder, who was among several officials who had asked the attorney general for his opinion on the matter, said in a news release that he will not prosecute any cases based on executive orders issued after May 1.Gov. Laura Kelly has apparently failed to comply with a legal requirement for distributing proclamations, meaning all of her executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic “cannot be legally enforced in a criminal courtroom,” Schroeder said.

Kansas prosecutor: No criminal charges over pandemic orders

WASHINGTON —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has released a photo of her White House meeting with President Trump.

According to the governor, "During my meeting with the President, we discussed Kansas’ reopening plan, and ways to ensure the safety of America’s food supply chain while also keeping those workers safe and healthy. I appreciate what the President's team has done for us throughout the pandemic

Please note that I took vigilant safety precautions throughout my White House visit. I was tested for COVID-19 upon arrival, socially distanced during the meeting, and otherwise wore a mask."

The governor canceled her Thursday news conference. She is expected to reveal more about the meeting with the President during her Friday afternoon news conference.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590099117930.png" alt="Kansas Governor Laura Kelly during her meeting with President Trump on Wednesday in Washington-photo courtesy office of governor" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Governor Laura Kelly during her meeting with President Trump on Wednesday in Washington-photo courtesy office of governor</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has released a photo of her White House meeting with President Trump.According to the governor, "During my meeting with the President, we discussed Kansas’ reopening plan, and ways to ensure the safety of America’s food supply chain while also keeping those workers safe and healthy. I appreciate what the President's team has done for us throughout the pandemic<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589916379219.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Please note that I took vigilant safety precautions throughout my White House visit. I was tested for COVID-19 upon arrival, socially distanced during the meeting, and otherwise wore a mask."The governor canceled her Thursday news conference. She is expected to reveal more about the meeting with the President during her Friday afternoon news conference.&nbsp;

Gov. Kelly comments on meeting with President Trump

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a shooting that injured two teens.

Just before 3 p.m. on Wednesday, police responded to a shooting call at an apartment complex in the 1100 block of South Webb Road in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

 Upon arrival, officers located a 17-year-old victim in a parking lot with critical injuries.&nbsp; He was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment, and he remains in critical condition.

Several minutes later, officers responded to an area hospital regarding an 18-year-old walk-in shooting victim with a gunshot wound to his body.&nbsp; He was treated for a non-life-threatening injury and released.

The investigation revealed two unknown suspects and the two victims had made an arrangement to meet in the apartment complex parking lot.&nbsp; 

Investigators are working to learn the circumstances of the meeting.&nbsp; An unknown suspect arrived at the apartment complex parking lot driving a newer-model white mustang, and the second unknown suspect arrived at the same time driving a grey Buick.&nbsp; The two victims walked up to the Buick and got into the vehicle, occupied by one suspect.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

During the meeting inside the Buick, a disturbance ensued, and the suspect seated in the Mustang exited the car and fired multiple shots at the victims, striking them and causing their injuries.&nbsp; Both suspects then fled in the vehicles they were driving when they arrived, according to Davidson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590090818345.png" alt="Security camera images -Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera images -Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a shooting that injured two teens.Just before 3 p.m. on Wednesday, police responded to a shooting call at an apartment complex in the 1100 block of South Webb Road in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. Upon arrival, officers located a 17-year-old victim in a parking lot with critical injuries.&nbsp; He was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment, and he remains in critical condition.Several minutes later, officers responded to an area hospital regarding an 18-year-old walk-in shooting victim with a gunshot wound to his body.&nbsp; He was treated for a non-life-threatening injury and released.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590090874405.png" alt="Security camera images -Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera images -Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>The investigation revealed two unknown suspects and the two victims had made an arrangement to meet in the apartment complex parking lot.&nbsp; Investigators are working to learn the circumstances of the meeting.&nbsp; An unknown suspect arrived at the apartment complex parking lot driving a newer-model white mustang, and the second unknown suspect arrived at the same time driving a grey Buick.&nbsp; The two victims walked up to the Buick and got into the vehicle, occupied by one suspect.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;During the meeting inside the Buick, a disturbance ensued, and the suspect seated in the Mustang exited the car and fired multiple shots at the victims, striking them and causing their injuries.&nbsp; Both suspects then fled in the vehicles they were driving when they arrived, according to Davidson.

Police ask for help to ID suspects in Kansas shooting

BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas Girod says the university faces a shortfall amounting to more than a quarter of its general operating budget after the coronavirus pandemic forced it to close its campuses. 

The $120 million shortfall stems from losses in research dollars, event fees and student housing and dining revenue. Girod said “all options must be on the table.” 

Those include sweeping vacant position budgets, using reserve funds and keeping in place a hiring freeze. He also hinted furloughs and layoffs are likely after the new fiscal year begins July 1.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583199779683.png" alt="KU Chancellor Doug Girod-photo courtesy University of Kansas" />
 <figcaption>KU Chancellor Doug Girod-photo courtesy University of Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas Girod says the university faces a shortfall amounting to more than a quarter of its general operating budget after the coronavirus pandemic forced it to close its campuses. The $120 million shortfall stems from losses in research dollars, event fees and student housing and dining revenue. Girod said “all options must be on the table.” Those include sweeping vacant position budgets, using reserve funds and keeping in place a hiring freeze. He also hinted furloughs and layoffs are likely after the new fiscal year begins July 1.

Chancellor: University of Kansas faces $120M shortfall

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans lawmakers in Kansas hashed out a plan Thursday night for limiting Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s power to direct the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic after the state’s GOP attorney general suggested Kelly’s been on “legally suspect” ground for three weeks.

Key provisions of the Republican plan would require Kelly to get permission from leaders of the GOP-controlled Legislature to keep businesses closed after May 31 or exercise other broad powers granted to governors during emergencies. Legislative leaders also would have the final say over how the state spends $1.25 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds.

The GOP’s bill also would provide some protection to businesses against being sued if their employees or customers contracted the coronavirus. Doctors, clinics and hospitals also would be protected from lawsuits if they delayed non-coronavirus health services because of the pandemic.

Republican leaders hoped to push the measure through the House and Senate by early Friday morning, over vocal opposition from Kelly’s fellow Democrats. Lawmakers convened Thursday for one final, extended day in session this year after a coronavirus-mandated break that began March 20.

People entering the Statehouse had their temperatures checked and were quizzed briefly about whether they’d had coronavirus symptoms before receiving red wrist bands that let them stay. Lawmakers’ social distancing grew lax over time; many Republicans did not wear masks, while most Democrats did.

The governor’s office issued a statement accusing GOP lawmakers of trying to “cram” through a package with measures that “have not been thoroughly vetted.” But the statement stopped short of saying she would veto Republicans’ bill.

Kelly is directing Kansas’ coronavirus response under a state of emergency in effect only through Memorial Day. Republican lawmakers hope she’ll accept limits on her power to avoid the risk of having the state of emergency end — and seeing 30 of her orders expire. Those orders include ones setting out how the state will reopen its economy, with some restrictions staying in place until June 23, as well as one preventing evictions for people who can’t pay their rent.

<a href="https://apnews.com/5e209a4b50d4e80632e9613458d31b7c">Republican leaders are frustrated</a>&nbsp;that Kelly ordered many businesses closed under a statewide stay-at-home order in place from March 30 until May 4 and mandated a phased reopening of the economy. Many GOP lawmakers argue that Kelly is moving too slowly to reopen the economy, and they’re upset that different types of businesses face different restrictions. Their arguments reflect complaints from business owners.

“It is just time to open up with reasonable regulations,” said state Sen. Eric Rucker, a conservative Topeka attorney who helped draft much of the measure.

But Democrats were frustrated, too, by Republicans’ refusal to consider a bill simply extending the current state of emergency.

“This is nothing more than bushwacking,” Rep. John Carmichael, a Wichita Democrat, said during an early round of talks.

Republicans said their proposals to shield health care providers and businesses from lawsuits would limit them to being sued for negligence or misconduct, such as in instances where businesses ignored public health guidelines. Critics said the protections were broader and would prevent them from being held accountable even in those instances.

Kelly has said she was open to proposals to protect health care providers, but their lobbyists feared such protections would be doomed when tied to proposals limiting her power. Rachelle Colombo, executive director of the Kansas Medical Society, decried “a lot of gamesmanship.”

“There’s a lot of question about what will become law at the end of the day,” she said.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt&nbsp;<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/ag-opinions/2020/2020-006.pdf?sfvrsn=1997ac1a_8" target="_blank">released a legal opinion</a>&nbsp;late Wednesday saying Kelly did not have the authority to issue a second state of emergency declaration just before her first expired May 1. State law appeared to require Kelly to get legislative leaders’ approval to extend that second declaration past mid-May, and GOP leaders made sure it runs only through Monday.

Kansas has continued to see coronavirus cases rise to more than 8,500 as of Wednesday, but that’s recently been driven largely by outbreaks in meatpacking plants, a state prison in Lansing and in the Kansas City area. Twenty-one of the state’s 105 counties reported no cases as of Wednesday, and 48 had seen no new cases within two weeks.

Republicans wrangled over and then dropped a plan to limit statewide business closures to another 15 days and then let officials in each of the state’s 105 counties set their own rules. GOP senators briefly contemplated but ultimately didn’t push for a provision that might limit abortion services during the pandemic, which Kelly refused to do.

GOP leaders initially said they had to finish their work by midnight but then backed off when it became clear that it was not likely to happen.

In his legal opinion, Schmidt said the state’s emergency-management law is clear in allowing a governor to issue only one declaration during a single emergency. His opinion isn’t binding but Republicans cited it repeatedly Thursday.

Some Democrats argued that the law still gives the governor a duty to declare an emergency whenever one exists, even if a past declaration has expired. Kelly’s office sidestepped the issue for now.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators convened Thursday for a single-day session on the coronavirus pandemic with Republican majorities determined to curb Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s power and the state’s GOP attorney general suggesting she’s been on “legally suspect” ground for three weeks.

Republican legislative leaders pushed a bill that would require Kelly to get the permission of top lawmakers to extend a state of emergency past Memorial Day. It also would greatly limiting her power to close businesses even with an extension and give legislative leaders the final say in how $1.25 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds are spent.

People entering the Statehouse had their temperatures checked and were quizzed briefly about whether they had coronavirus symptoms before receiving red paper bracelets permitting them to stay. Both chambers practiced some social distancing. Many Republicans didn’t wear masks during meetings, while most Democrats did.

Legislators have been on a coronavirus-mandated break since March 20 and Thursday was their last scheduled day to meet this year.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/5e209a4b50d4e80632e9613458d31b7c">Republican leaders are frustrated&nbsp;</a>that Kelly ordered many businesses closed under a statewide stay-at-home order in place from March 30 until May 4 and mandated a phased reopening of the economy that keeps some restrictions until June 23.

“Our goal is to pass a package to allow us to have checks and balances,” House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., an Olathe Republican, said during a GOP caucus in which some lawmakers sat shoulder-to-shoulder without masks.

Kelly’s office said in a statement that GOP lawmakers were trying to “cram” multiple measures through the Legislature even though many “have not been thoroughly vetted by the public.”

Republicans also looked to help businesses by shielding them at least temporarily from lawsuits if business owners follow health guidelines and customers or employees get the novel coronavirus. They’re also looking to protect medical providers from coronavirus lawsuits. Critics worry that their efforts will prevent lawsuits for negligence or misconduct.

<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/ag-opinions/2020/2020-006.pdf?sfvrsn=1997ac1a_8" target="_blank">Attorney General Derek Schmidt released a legal opinion</a>&nbsp;late Wednesday saying Kelly did not have the authority to issue a second state of emergency declaration just before her first expired May 1. State law appeared to require Kelly to get legislative leaders’ approval to extend that second declaration past mid-May, and GOP leaders made sure it runs only through Monday.

If lawmakers fail to act and the state of emergency expires, all of Kelly’s coronavirus orders would lapse, leaving decisions to each of the state’s 105 counties. Advocates for the poor are especially worried about losing a ban she imposed on evictions of people who can’t pay their rent.

Schmidt said the state’s emergency-management law is clear in allowing a governor to issue only one declaration during a single emergency.

Some Democrats argue that&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/statute/048_000_0000_chapter/048_009_0000_article/048_009_0024_section/048_009_0024_k/" target="_blank">the law</a>&nbsp;still gives the governor a duty to declare an emergency whenever one exists, whatever Schmidt’s opinion.

And Kelly’s office said the governor welcomes a discussion about rewriting emergency-management laws “in a thoughtful manner.”

“Unfortunately, this is not an honest conversation,” Kelly’s office said, citing Schmidt’s decision to release his opinion at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Schmidt has urged lawmakers to formally ratify Kelly’s past actions and extend the state of emergency, allowing her to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/statute/048_000_0000_chapter/048_009_0000_article/048_009_0025_section/048_009_0025_k/" target="_blank">tap broad emergency powers.</a>

<a href="https://apnews.com/b9aa6103be172ea48708f69457a3b00e">A Senate bill</a>&nbsp;would ratify Kelly’s past actions and extend the current state of emergency — if legislative leaders sign off. It also would limit Kelly to keeping businesses closed only for 15 more days this year, allowing county officials to decide what restrictions are in place after that.

But senators were negotiating with House members Thursday afternoon over the measure’s final contents.

Many Republicans argue that Kelly is moving too slowly to reopen the economy, and they’re upset that different types of businesses face different restrictions.

GOP leaders were greatly influenced by committee testimony this week from Joy Eakins, the owner and president of the Cornerstone Data analysis firm in Wichita. She pointed to favorable trends in coronavirus hospitalization rates and COVID-19-related deaths over time and suggested those trends and other figures showed Kansas should leave decisions to local officials.

Kansas reported a 49% jump in coronavirus cases during the two weeks ending Wednesday, to more than 8,500, but that’s been driven largely by clusters of cases in meatpacking plants and a state prison in Lansing, as well as a persistent outbreak in the Kansas City area.

Twenty-one of the state’s 105 counties had reported no cases as of Wednesday, and 48 had seen no new cases within two weeks. Ninety counties have fewer than one case for every 1,000 residents.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590098112700.png" alt="Kansas Senators meeting on Thursday morning photo courtesy Senate President Susan Wagle" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Senators meeting on Thursday morning photo courtesy Senate President Susan Wagle</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republicans lawmakers in Kansas hashed out a plan Thursday night for limiting Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s power to direct the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic after the state’s GOP attorney general suggested Kelly’s been on “legally suspect” ground for three weeks.Key provisions of the Republican plan would require Kelly to get permission from leaders of the GOP-controlled Legislature to keep businesses closed after May 31 or exercise other broad powers granted to governors during emergencies. Legislative leaders also would have the final say over how the state spends $1.25 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds.The GOP’s bill also would provide some protection to businesses against being sued if their employees or customers contracted the coronavirus. Doctors, clinics and hospitals also would be protected from lawsuits if they delayed non-coronavirus health services because of the pandemic.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590145908641.png" alt="State Rep. Brandon Woodard Kansas House District 30 (Olathe and Lenexa) posted a photo to social media during the early hours Friday outside the Kansas Statehouse" />
 <figcaption>State Rep. Brandon Woodard Kansas House District 30 (Olathe and Lenexa) posted a photo to social media during the early hours Friday outside the Kansas Statehouse</figcaption>
 </figure>Republican leaders hoped to push the measure through the House and Senate by early Friday morning, over vocal opposition from Kelly’s fellow Democrats. Lawmakers convened Thursday for one final, extended day in session this year after a coronavirus-mandated break that began March 20.People entering the Statehouse had their temperatures checked and were quizzed briefly about whether they’d had coronavirus symptoms before receiving red wrist bands that let them stay. Lawmakers’ social distancing grew lax over time; many Republicans did not wear masks, while most Democrats did.The governor’s office issued a statement accusing GOP lawmakers of trying to “cram” through a package with measures that “have not been thoroughly vetted.” But the statement stopped short of saying she would veto Republicans’ bill.Kelly is directing Kansas’ coronavirus response under a state of emergency in effect only through Memorial Day. Republican lawmakers hope she’ll accept limits on her power to avoid the risk of having the state of emergency end — and seeing 30 of her orders expire. Those orders include ones setting out how the state will reopen its economy, with some restrictions staying in place until June 23, as well as one preventing evictions for people who can’t pay their rent.<a href="https://apnews.com/5e209a4b50d4e80632e9613458d31b7c">Republican leaders are frustrated</a>&nbsp;that Kelly ordered many businesses closed under a statewide stay-at-home order in place from March 30 until May 4 and mandated a phased reopening of the economy. Many GOP lawmakers argue that Kelly is moving too slowly to reopen the economy, and they’re upset that different types of businesses face different restrictions. Their arguments reflect complaints from business owners.“It is just time to open up with reasonable regulations,” said state Sen. Eric Rucker, a conservative Topeka attorney who helped draft much of the measure.But Democrats were frustrated, too, by Republicans’ refusal to consider a bill simply extending the current state of emergency.“This is nothing more than bushwacking,” Rep. John Carmichael, a Wichita Democrat, said during an early round of talks.Republicans said their proposals to shield health care providers and businesses from lawsuits would limit them to being sued for negligence or misconduct, such as in instances where businesses ignored public health guidelines. Critics said the protections were broader and would prevent them from being held accountable even in those instances.Kelly has said she was open to proposals to protect health care providers, but their lobbyists feared such protections would be doomed when tied to proposals limiting her power. Rachelle Colombo, executive director of the Kansas Medical Society, decried “a lot of gamesmanship.”“There’s a lot of question about what will become law at the end of the day,” she said.Attorney General Derek Schmidt&nbsp;<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/ag-opinions/2020/2020-006.pdf?sfvrsn=1997ac1a_8" target="_blank">released a legal opinion</a>&nbsp;late Wednesday saying Kelly did not have the authority to issue a second state of emergency declaration just before her first expired May 1. State law appeared to require Kelly to get legislative leaders’ approval to extend that second declaration past mid-May, and GOP leaders made sure it runs only through Monday.Kansas has continued to see coronavirus cases rise to more than 8,500 as of Wednesday, but that’s recently been driven largely by outbreaks in meatpacking plants, a state prison in Lansing and in the Kansas City area. Twenty-one of the state’s 105 counties reported no cases as of Wednesday, and 48 had seen no new cases within two weeks.Republicans wrangled over and then dropped a plan to limit statewide business closures to another 15 days and then let officials in each of the state’s 105 counties set their own rules. GOP senators briefly contemplated but ultimately didn’t push for a provision that might limit abortion services during the pandemic, which Kelly refused to do.GOP leaders initially said they had to finish their work by midnight but then backed off when it became clear that it was not likely to happen.In his legal opinion, Schmidt said the state’s emergency-management law is clear in allowing a governor to issue only one declaration during a single emergency. His opinion isn’t binding but Republicans cited it repeatedly Thursday.Some Democrats argued that the law still gives the governor a duty to declare an emergency whenever one exists, even if a past declaration has expired. Kelly’s office sidestepped the issue for now.___TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators convened Thursday for a single-day session on the coronavirus pandemic with Republican majorities determined to curb Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s power and the state’s GOP attorney general suggesting she’s been on “legally suspect” ground for three weeks.Republican legislative leaders pushed a bill that would require Kelly to get the permission of top lawmakers to extend a state of emergency past Memorial Day. It also would greatly limiting her power to close businesses even with an extension and give legislative leaders the final say in how $1.25 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds are spent.People entering the Statehouse had their temperatures checked and were quizzed briefly about whether they had coronavirus symptoms before receiving red paper bracelets permitting them to stay. Both chambers practiced some social distancing. Many Republicans didn’t wear masks during meetings, while most Democrats did.Legislators have been on a coronavirus-mandated break since March 20 and Thursday was their last scheduled day to meet this year.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/5e209a4b50d4e80632e9613458d31b7c">Republican leaders are frustrated&nbsp;</a>that Kelly ordered many businesses closed under a statewide stay-at-home order in place from March 30 until May 4 and mandated a phased reopening of the economy that keeps some restrictions until June 23.“Our goal is to pass a package to allow us to have checks and balances,” House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., an Olathe Republican, said during a GOP caucus in which some lawmakers sat shoulder-to-shoulder without masks.Kelly’s office said in a statement that GOP lawmakers were trying to “cram” multiple measures through the Legislature even though many “have not been thoroughly vetted by the public.”Republicans also looked to help businesses by shielding them at least temporarily from lawsuits if business owners follow health guidelines and customers or employees get the novel coronavirus. They’re also looking to protect medical providers from coronavirus lawsuits. Critics worry that their efforts will prevent lawsuits for negligence or misconduct.<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/ag-opinions/2020/2020-006.pdf?sfvrsn=1997ac1a_8" target="_blank">Attorney General Derek Schmidt released a legal opinion</a>&nbsp;late Wednesday saying Kelly did not have the authority to issue a second state of emergency declaration just before her first expired May 1. State law appeared to require Kelly to get legislative leaders’ approval to extend that second declaration past mid-May, and GOP leaders made sure it runs only through Monday.If lawmakers fail to act and the state of emergency expires, all of Kelly’s coronavirus orders would lapse, leaving decisions to each of the state’s 105 counties. Advocates for the poor are especially worried about losing a ban she imposed on evictions of people who can’t pay their rent.Schmidt said the state’s emergency-management law is clear in allowing a governor to issue only one declaration during a single emergency.Some Democrats argue that&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/statute/048_000_0000_chapter/048_009_0000_article/048_009_0024_section/048_009_0024_k/" target="_blank">the law</a>&nbsp;still gives the governor a duty to declare an emergency whenever one exists, whatever Schmidt’s opinion.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590011287498.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly met with President Trump at the White House Wednesday.-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly met with President Trump at the White House Wednesday.-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>And Kelly’s office said the governor welcomes a discussion about rewriting emergency-management laws “in a thoughtful manner.”“Unfortunately, this is not an honest conversation,” Kelly’s office said, citing Schmidt’s decision to release his opinion at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.Schmidt has urged lawmakers to formally ratify Kelly’s past actions and extend the state of emergency, allowing her to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/statute/048_000_0000_chapter/048_009_0000_article/048_009_0025_section/048_009_0025_k/" target="_blank">tap broad emergency powers.</a><a href="https://apnews.com/b9aa6103be172ea48708f69457a3b00e">A Senate bill</a>&nbsp;would ratify Kelly’s past actions and extend the current state of emergency — if legislative leaders sign off. It also would limit Kelly to keeping businesses closed only for 15 more days this year, allowing county officials to decide what restrictions are in place after that.But senators were negotiating with House members Thursday afternoon over the measure’s final contents.Many Republicans argue that Kelly is moving too slowly to reopen the economy, and they’re upset that different types of businesses face different restrictions.GOP leaders were greatly influenced by committee testimony this week from Joy Eakins, the owner and president of the Cornerstone Data analysis firm in Wichita. She pointed to favorable trends in coronavirus hospitalization rates and COVID-19-related deaths over time and suggested those trends and other figures showed Kansas should leave decisions to local officials.Kansas reported a 49% jump in coronavirus cases during the two weeks ending Wednesday, to more than 8,500, but that’s been driven largely by clusters of cases in meatpacking plants and a state prison in Lansing, as well as a persistent outbreak in the Kansas City area.Twenty-one of the state’s 105 counties had reported no cases as of Wednesday, and 48 had seen no new cases within two weeks. Ninety counties have fewer than one case for every 1,000 residents.

Kansas lawmakers push limits on governor's power

BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — Propped up by government payments, net farm income in Kansas last year rose to an average of $110,380 per farm, a new report shows.

The Kansas Farm Management Association released this week its annual&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agmanager.info/kfma/whole-farm-analysis" target="_blank">economic data</a>&nbsp;based on the 970 agricultural operations that their economists advised on financial decisions.

Farm balance sheets were heavily subsidized by government payments with more than 72% of the income Kansas farmers received last year coming from the government, their figures show.

On average, each Kansas farm received more than $80,000 from the government last year. The biggest chunk came from the more than $60,000 per farm funneled through a federal program that aimed to help producers hurt by retaliatory tariffs in trade disputes.

That payment, known as the Market Facilitation Program, is not expected to be renewed in 2020. However, farmers will be able to tap this year into the <a href="https://www.farmers.gov/cfap">Coronavirus Food Assistance Program,</a> which provides direct payments to farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Average net farm income last year was up from $101,274 in 2018 as well as higher than the $66,456 in 2017 and the $46,717 in 2016, their figures show. A tough year for Kansas farms was 2015 when net income was $6,744.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589910996726.png" alt="<a href="https://www.c-span.org/person/?ivankatrump">President Trump&nbsp;</a>met with ranchers and farmers in the Roosevelt Room of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/organization/?929/White">White House</a>&nbsp;to talk about the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Other participants included Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/organization/?929/White">White House</a>&nbsp;adviser Ivanka Trump-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.c-span.org/person/?ivankatrump">President Trump&nbsp;</a>met with ranchers and farmers in the Roosevelt Room of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/organization/?929/White">White House</a>&nbsp;to talk about the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Other participants included Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/organization/?929/White">White House</a>&nbsp;adviser Ivanka Trump-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — Propped up by government payments, net farm income in Kansas last year rose to an average of $110,380 per farm, a new report shows.The Kansas Farm Management Association released this week its annual&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agmanager.info/kfma/whole-farm-analysis" target="_blank">economic data</a>&nbsp;based on the 970 agricultural operations that their economists advised on financial decisions.Farm balance sheets were heavily subsidized by government payments with more than 72% of the income Kansas farmers received last year coming from the government, their figures show.On average, each Kansas farm received more than $80,000 from the government last year. The biggest chunk came from the more than $60,000 per farm funneled through a federal program that aimed to help producers hurt by retaliatory tariffs in trade disputes.That payment, known as the Market Facilitation Program, is not expected to be renewed in 2020. However, farmers will be able to tap this year into the <a href="https://www.farmers.gov/cfap">Coronavirus Food Assistance Program,</a> which provides direct payments to farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.Average net farm income last year was up from $101,274 in 2018 as well as higher than the $66,456 in 2017 and the $46,717 in 2016, their figures show. A tough year for Kansas farms was 2015 when net income was $6,744.

Report: Kansas farm income up amid government payments

TOPEKA – An order issued by the Kansas Corporation Commission Thursday morning requires utilities under its jurisdiction to offer 12-month payment plans and waive late fees through the end of the year to help residential and small business customers avoid disconnection, according to a media release from the commission.

The Commission’s earlier order suspending disconnections is set to expire on May 31. Today’s order will help customers, struggling with the economic effects of COVID-19, pay off past due balances gradually while avoiding disconnection of service. Customers are also encouraged to apply for available utility assistance programs. Information is posted on <a href="https://kcc.ks.gov/consumer-information/utility-assistance-programs">the KCC website&nbsp;</a>

KCC staff filed a report with the Commission on May 6 recommending baseline customer protections prior to the end of the disconnect suspension order. Utilities had the opportunity to respond to the recommendations prior to today’s order. Several utilities have advised they plan to offer protections in excess of the minimums required.

The order states utilities may defer any extraordinary bad debt expense and lost fee revenue that arises from the required customer protections into a regulatory asset for accounting purposes only. Any recovery requests will be considered in a utility’s next rate case or rate recovery filing.

The Commission may extend the consumer protections outlined in Thursday order if the COVID-19 pandemic stretches into 2021.&nbsp; Click here to<a href="https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/20200521111445.pdf?Id=932794de-f0cc-4397-b1bf-948512be107e"> view the order</a>

TOPEKA – An order issued by the Kansas Corporation Commission Thursday morning requires utilities under its jurisdiction to offer 12-month payment plans and waive late fees through the end of the year to help residential and small business customers avoid disconnection, according to a media release from the commission.The Commission’s earlier order suspending disconnections is set to expire on May 31. Today’s order will help customers, struggling with the economic effects of COVID-19, pay off past due balances gradually while avoiding disconnection of service. Customers are also encouraged to apply for available utility assistance programs. Information is posted on <a href="https://kcc.ks.gov/consumer-information/utility-assistance-programs">the KCC website&nbsp;</a>KCC staff filed a report with the Commission on May 6 recommending baseline customer protections prior to the end of the disconnect suspension order. Utilities had the opportunity to respond to the recommendations prior to today’s order. Several utilities have advised they plan to offer protections in excess of the minimums required.The order states utilities may defer any extraordinary bad debt expense and lost fee revenue that arises from the required customer protections into a regulatory asset for accounting purposes only. Any recovery requests will be considered in a utility’s next rate case or rate recovery filing.The Commission may extend the consumer protections outlined in Thursday order if the COVID-19 pandemic stretches into 2021.&nbsp; Click here to<a href="https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx/20200521111445.pdf?Id=932794de-f0cc-4397-b1bf-948512be107e"> view the order</a>

Utilities ordered to offer payment plans, waive late fees through 2020

SEDGWICK COUNTY —One person died in an accident&nbsp; &nbsp;Wednesday in Sedgwick County.

Just after 8p.m., deputies were dispatched to the area of Pawnee and Woodlawn and located a 1974 GMC pickup that had rolled, according to Lt Tim Myers. It appeared both occupants of the pickup were ejected during the rollover.

First responders located 55-year-old Joseph Cenicola near the vehicle.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Deputies found 57-year-old James Cenicola approximately 100 feet from the vehicle. He was transported by ambulance to Wesley Hospital with severe injuries, according to Myers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;Speed and alcohol were possible factors in the accident, according to Myers.&nbsp; The accident remains under investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590075500325.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 —One person died in an accident&nbsp; &nbsp;Wednesday in Sedgwick County.Just after 8p.m., deputies were dispatched to the area of Pawnee and Woodlawn and located a 1974 GMC pickup that had rolled, according to Lt Tim Myers. It appeared both occupants of the pickup were ejected during the rollover.First responders located 55-year-old Joseph Cenicola near the vehicle.&nbsp; He was pronounced deceased at the scene.Deputies found 57-year-old James Cenicola approximately 100 feet from the vehicle. He was transported by ambulance to Wesley Hospital with severe injuries, according to Myers.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Speed and alcohol were possible factors in the accident, according to Myers.&nbsp; The accident remains under investigation.

Sheriff: Speed, alcohol a factor in fatal Kansas crash

RENO COUNTY —Jail employees in Reno County are in self-quarantine after an inmate tested positive for coronavirus.

Last weekend an arrestee was booked into the Reno County Correctional facility for felony drug distribution charges, according to Reno County Sheriff Darrian Campbell.

Initial screening of the inmate indicated siblings in the household were positive. Upon further investigation by arresting Deputies the 911 Dispatch Center in the jurisdiction he/she resided in was contacted, early morning hours the Health Department was not open. The inmate’s address or siblings’ names were not confirmed as being positive or being tracked by that agency at the time.

Mid-morning Tuesday, May 18, after court, bond was not lowered, and the inmate indicated she resides with two family members who are positive for COVID-19.

 The inmate was moved to quarantine immediately and the other inmates she was housed with were locked down in individual cells. 

Through the Reno County Health Department, we were able to confirm there were two siblings positive for COVID-19 at the inmate’s address. The inmate was tested and the sample was sent to the lab. Late afternoon of the 20th the results came back positive for COVID-19.

Currently there are seven inmates identified which have been isolated and will be tested Thursday. The samples will be sent to the lab. There are nine employees which have been identified as having direct contact with the inmate and are in self quarantine. They were to be tested Thursday morning, according to Campbell.

At this time, the sheriff's department believes all persons which have had direct contact with this individual have been identified and put on notice for isolation and testing.

RENO COUNTY —Jail employees in Reno County are in self-quarantine after an inmate tested positive for coronavirus.Last weekend an arrestee was booked into the Reno County Correctional facility for felony drug distribution charges, according to Reno County Sheriff Darrian Campbell.Initial screening of the inmate indicated siblings in the household were positive. Upon further investigation by arresting Deputies the 911 Dispatch Center in the jurisdiction he/she resided in was contacted, early morning hours the Health Department was not open. The inmate’s address or siblings’ names were not confirmed as being positive or being tracked by that agency at the time.Mid-morning Tuesday, May 18, after court, bond was not lowered, and the inmate indicated she resides with two family members who are positive for COVID-19. The inmate was moved to quarantine immediately and the other inmates she was housed with were locked down in individual cells. Through the Reno County Health Department, we were able to confirm there were two siblings positive for COVID-19 at the inmate’s address. The inmate was tested and the sample was sent to the lab. Late afternoon of the 20th the results came back positive for COVID-19.Currently there are seven inmates identified which have been isolated and will be tested Thursday. The samples will be sent to the lab. There are nine employees which have been identified as having direct contact with the inmate and are in self quarantine. They were to be tested Thursday morning, according to Campbell.At this time, the sheriff's department believes all persons which have had direct contact with this individual have been identified and put on notice for isolation and testing.

Staff in self-quarantine after Kan. inmate tests positive for virus

Jesse Moses Monreal/Photo courtesy of the Livingston Co. Sheriff's Dept.

A man wanted for murder in Kansas has been apprehended in northwest Missouri.

Livingston County Sheriff Steve Cox says Jesse Moses Monreal was arrested after a manhunt in southern Livingston County.

Monreal has been charged with first degree murder and attempted robbery in Johnson County, Kansas for an incident in early May.

The manhunt began after a vehicle was stolen in Lafayette County and the suspects fled into Livingston County. Deputies arrested Monreal, but two men with him escaped. Authorities suspect they stole a truck from a rock quarry in Blue Mound. Kansas law enforcement do not believe the two were involved in the Johnson County homicide.

The Livingston and Lafayette County sheriff’s departments continue to work with the U.S. Marshall Office on the two stolen vehicle cases.

Cox says Monreal remains incarcerated in the Daviess Dekalb Regional Jail and once he clears extradition process, will be released to Kansas authorities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590074381554.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Jesse Moses Monreal/Photo courtesy of the Livingston Co. Sheriff's Dept.By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA man wanted for murder in Kansas has been apprehended in northwest Missouri.Livingston County Sheriff Steve Cox says Jesse Moses Monreal was arrested after a manhunt in southern Livingston County.Monreal has been charged with first degree murder and attempted robbery in Johnson County, Kansas for an incident in early May.The manhunt began after a vehicle was stolen in Lafayette County and the suspects fled into Livingston County. Deputies arrested Monreal, but two men with him escaped. Authorities suspect they stole a truck from a rock quarry in Blue Mound. Kansas law enforcement do not believe the two were involved in the Johnson County homicide.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590075890509.png" alt="Monreal photo Daviess-DeKalb County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Monreal photo Daviess-DeKalb County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>The Livingston and Lafayette County sheriff’s departments continue to work with the U.S. Marshall Office on the two stolen vehicle cases.Cox says Monreal remains incarcerated in the Daviess Dekalb Regional Jail and once he clears extradition process, will be released to Kansas authorities.

Man wanted for Kansas murder arrested in Missouri

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A teacher who instructed preschoolers inside a Kansas nursing home before the coronavirus pandemic has been named the nation's top educator. 

Tabatha Rosproy was chosen as the <a href="https://ntoy.ccsso.org/tabatha-rosproy/">2020 National Teacher of the Year</a> for bridging the worlds of her community’s oldest and youngest.

The year saw the retirement community where she taught in Winfield close to visitors to protect the residents as the state also shuttered its schools. Her selection from among 55 award-winning teachers around the country was announced Thursday by the Council of Chief State School Officers. 

Rosproy says her students were “well connected and well loved” and the retirement residents engaged.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590071015048.png" alt="Tabatha Rosproy courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Tabatha Rosproy courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A teacher who instructed preschoolers inside a Kansas nursing home before the coronavirus pandemic has been named the nation's top educator. Tabatha Rosproy was chosen as the <a href="https://ntoy.ccsso.org/tabatha-rosproy/">2020 National Teacher of the Year</a> for bridging the worlds of her community’s oldest and youngest. The year saw the retirement community where she taught in Winfield close to visitors to protect the residents as the state also shuttered its schools. Her selection from among 55 award-winning teachers around the country was announced Thursday by the Council of Chief State School Officers. Rosproy says her students were “well connected and well loved” and the retirement residents engaged.

National teacher of the year is Kan. preschool teacher 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Kansas pushed Wednesday to greatly limit Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s power to keep businesses closed during the coronavirus pandemic and give the GOP-controlled Legislature’s leaders the final say over how federal coronavirus relief funds are spent.

GOP members of the Senate Judiciary Committee included the measures in a bill that the full Senate expects to consider Thursday, when the Legislature is scheduled for one, final day in session this year. Republicans tied their proposals to two must-have measures for Kelly — a formal ratification of Kelly’s previous coronavirus orders and an extension of state of emergency that she declared so that she could legally exercise broad powers.

A dispute between the Democratic governor and Republican legislative leaders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/5e209a4b50d4e80632e9613458d31b7c">has grown increasingly bitter</a>&nbsp;over who controls the reopening of the state’s economy and the spending of coronavirus aid. Many GOP lawmakers contend Kelly is moving too slowly to reopen on the economy and dislike that her plan for lifting restrictions in phases between now and late June treats different kinds of businesses differently.

Republicans’ proposal would allow Kelly to close businesses only for a total of 15 days during the pandemic. After those 15 days, the health officers in each of the state’s 105 counties would decide whether businesses remained closed, subject to the approval of local county commissions. Because many Kansas businesses already have been shuttered longer than 15 days, it wasn’t immediately clear whether county officials could step immediately if the measure becomes law.

“One size doesn’t fit all,” said state Sen. Eric Rucker, a conservative Topeka Republican who drafted the language on business closings. “The overarching cry that we hear is the long-lasting — possibly lasting decades into the future — damage that has been caused economically.”

The bill cleared the Judiciary Committee on an 8-2 party-line vote, with only Republicans voting yes.

Kansas Republicans acted on the same day Kelly and GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas met with President Donald Trump, who said both had “done a fantastic job.”

Kelly joins Democratic governors in other states, most notably Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, in facing a backlash from Republican legislators over their actions to control the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Sen. David Haley, a Kansas City Democrat, said he’s concerned about limiting the governor’s to impose statewide restrictions because someone could travel between counties and “become a carrier.”

“This virus does not respect geo-political boundaries,” Haley said.

Kelly’s existing state of emergency will remain in place only through Monday, Memorial Day. Kelly has acknowledged that she may be forced to accept limits on her power to get lawmakers to extend the state of emergency — or watch her 30 coronavirus-related orders expire. Her top lawyer and legislators concede it’s an open question whether Kelly has the authority to keep issuing new declarations for the same emergency.

The bill also would give the Legislature’s top seven leaders, five of them Republicans, the final say over how $1.25 billion in coronavirus relief funds are spent after a review by a joint House-Senate budget committee.

Kelly appointed a 20-member task force to oversee the distribution of the money and help her manage the reopening of the state’s economy, and five legislators are members, including three Republicans. She and other Democrats argue that the task force will provide adequate oversight.

And Republican Sen. Randall Hardy of Salina worried that an extra layer of oversight could unnecessarily delay much-needed funds to cities and counties to cover their coronavirus costs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1590058732968.png" alt="Members of the Kansas Senate worked late Wednesday in advance of Thursday's final day of the legislative session -photo courtesy Senate President Susan Wagle" />
 <figcaption>Members of the Kansas Senate worked late Wednesday in advance of Thursday's final day of the legislative session -photo courtesy Senate President Susan Wagle</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Kansas pushed Wednesday to greatly limit Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s power to keep businesses closed during the coronavirus pandemic and give the GOP-controlled Legislature’s leaders the final say over how federal coronavirus relief funds are spent.GOP members of the Senate Judiciary Committee included the measures in a bill that the full Senate expects to consider Thursday, when the Legislature is scheduled for one, final day in session this year. Republicans tied their proposals to two must-have measures for Kelly — a formal ratification of Kelly’s previous coronavirus orders and an extension of state of emergency that she declared so that she could legally exercise broad powers.A dispute between the Democratic governor and Republican legislative leaders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/5e209a4b50d4e80632e9613458d31b7c">has grown increasingly bitter</a>&nbsp;over who controls the reopening of the state’s economy and the spending of coronavirus aid. Many GOP lawmakers contend Kelly is moving too slowly to reopen on the economy and dislike that her plan for lifting restrictions in phases between now and late June treats different kinds of businesses differently.Republicans’ proposal would allow Kelly to close businesses only for a total of 15 days during the pandemic. After those 15 days, the health officers in each of the state’s 105 counties would decide whether businesses remained closed, subject to the approval of local county commissions. Because many Kansas businesses already have been shuttered longer than 15 days, it wasn’t immediately clear whether county officials could step immediately if the measure becomes law.“One size doesn’t fit all,” said state Sen. Eric Rucker, a conservative Topeka Republican who drafted the language on business closings. “The overarching cry that we hear is the long-lasting — possibly lasting decades into the future — damage that has been caused economically.”The bill cleared the Judiciary Committee on an 8-2 party-line vote, with only Republicans voting yes.Kansas Republicans acted on the same day Kelly and GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas met with President Donald Trump, who said both had “done a fantastic job.”Kelly joins Democratic governors in other states, most notably Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, in facing a backlash from Republican legislators over their actions to control the spread of the novel coronavirus.Sen. David Haley, a Kansas City Democrat, said he’s concerned about limiting the governor’s to impose statewide restrictions because someone could travel between counties and “become a carrier.”“This virus does not respect geo-political boundaries,” Haley said.Kelly’s existing state of emergency will remain in place only through Monday, Memorial Day. Kelly has acknowledged that she may be forced to accept limits on her power to get lawmakers to extend the state of emergency — or watch her 30 coronavirus-related orders expire. Her top lawyer and legislators concede it’s an open question whether Kelly has the authority to keep issuing new declarations for the same emergency.The bill also would give the Legislature’s top seven leaders, five of them Republicans, the final say over how $1.25 billion in coronavirus relief funds are spent after a review by a joint House-Senate budget committee.Kelly appointed a 20-member task force to oversee the distribution of the money and help her manage the reopening of the state’s economy, and five legislators are members, including three Republicans. She and other Democrats argue that the task force will provide adequate oversight.And Republican Sen. Randall Hardy of Salina worried that an extra layer of oversight could unnecessarily delay much-needed funds to cities and counties to cover their coronavirus costs.But many GOP lawmakers argue that the Legislature has the duty to oversee how the aid is spent, just as it approves an annual state budget.Without legislative oversight, the governor could decide how the funds are spent “on her sole authority,” said Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning, a Kansas City-area Republican who is serving on Kelly’s task force.“It’s just really a safety check,” Denning said of legislative oversight.___